The Island School — page 368: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ANOTHER “ How could you tell that P” “Well, there hasn’t been any firing.” ‘OF course you would have heard it. Now what are we to do ?” “ Wait—wait,”said Morse. ‘I have been examining these walls. They are quite thin compared to those in front.” “Why should that be ?” “ Well, Jim, I suppose they thought they would be thick.enough to serve every purpose. So they did at the time.’ But they are not thick enough to stand against shot from a cannon. I would undertake to pound a hole through them with ‘ Betsy ’ and ‘ Bella’ under the hour, and the guns those fellows have will carry heavier metal by far.” “Shall I take some of the boys and attacks them outside ?” “No, we must keep under cover, to my thinking. You see that we do not exactly know where we are; they may be in ambush. They will play cunning to the end.” So there was nothing to do but to wait, and it was very wearying. There was no rest for the harassed boys, and wearily they. prepared to pass the night in the hall. “Better have it rhehis out withthem,” said Trimmer, bitterly, “than be cooped up much longer.” “ Jim and Morse will pull us through it,” said Fel- ton, hopefully. | The time passed away until midnight, and no indica- tion of assault was given by the foe. Morseremained at his post, chilled by the cold air and getting very tired, but holding out in his resolute way. Ganthony was sentry at the gate, Whiffer on the ramparts. Suddenly both heard a sound of shuffling feet below. It was somebody moving along outside, ap- proaching the gate. Whiffer leant over the rampart wall and dimly saw a.figure below stealing across the bridge. “Who goes there P” he cried. “Let me in,” was the answer. captain. Not a moment to lose.” It was Chorker, and as he spoke he raised a stick he had in his hand and smote the gate with all his might. Ganthony, on the platform by the portcullis, thrust his rifle through the open ironwork. “ Clear off,” he cried, “ or I will let fly at you!” *“T tell you,’ pleaded Chorker, “that I’ve news for the captain. If you don’t let me in you will all be murdered before the morning.” He was evidently in earnest, but Ganthony was still doubtful about the course he ought to take. It was an understood thing that Chorker was cast off for good. ‘But if he had news of importance it would be a mistake to send him away. Then, again; what if No. 2O. “ Halt, or I fire!” ‘““T have news for the ATTACK. 305 he were playing the traitor, as he had done before ? Behind him, or not far away, the enemy might be in force prepared to rush in the moment the gate was opened. On the whole he thought it advisable to report to Jim, who was in the hall. So he bade Chorker wait awhile. “There ain’t a minute to spare! % said Chorken hoarsely. “I’ve heard and seen something that I want to tell on, and Pll tell it to nobody eS: the cap- tain, yonne Jim Gordon. I wantto make Bente with him.” “Tl bring him along right away,” said Ganthony. = SS ED CHAPTER CLXVII. ANOTHER ATTACK.—THE BROKEN WALL. IM was about to come out to look round in his usual es: 3 way as captain, wu a ift a when _Ganthony \y : came in with the news that Chorker was at the gate. A howl of execration burst from the lips of allin the hall. Ganthony motioned for them to be quiet. “He says he brings important news,” he said to Jim, “ and wants to make his peace with you.” ‘There may be something in it,’ returned Jims “but we must be prepared for treachery. Half a score of you come along with your rifles. Ganthony, Rain- stone, and myself will shift the platform and open the. gate. If there is half a man behind Chorker, let fly at him. I will see to the reclosing of the gates.” When they got there Chorker was expostulating against the delay. He was in a fever-heat to get into: the castle. | The platform was drawn back, and Jim cautiously opened the gate just wide enough for Chorker to slip through. “ Come along—smart !” Chorker glided in and the gates were closed. So far all was well. Ganthony resumed his post, and Jim bade the midnight visitor come with him to the hall. ‘Tf [ find there is anything like humbug in this visit,” said Jim, “ you will be shot out again like a bolt from a catapult.” “T know I’ve been a sinner,” said Chorker, “a reg’lar ole warmint ; but I’m sorry. It don’t lay no ways in the right direction. I made up my mind comicbooks.com