The Island School — page 379: what you’re looking at

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

J}4: CHAPTER CLXXII. THE NIGHT-WATCH, AND THE FIRST SHOT AT THE DAWN OF DAY. MINUTE or so after Changeling had gone the slight shifting sound near Jim was repeated... He whipped: out his =~ on the alert. Something was un- doubtedly moving near the rocks. He could see the dim outline of it, apparently human, but curiously top-heavy. It would have been folly to create a disturbance without just cause, as so much depended on their being able to lie quiet until the morning. Jim_.there- fore did not shoot as hé was tempted to do, bu boldly advanced to see what it was. . | “Don’t fire that dreadful revolver,’ said the familiar voice of Eveline, softly. It was she, indeed, with a rug wound about her head and shoulders which gave her that strange top- heavy appearance which for the time puzzled Jim. He uttered an exclamation of reproach and pleasure’ mingled. | “Why do you come out ‘here in the cold?” he asked, as they met and their hands closed together. “TI cannot sleep to-night,” replied Eveline, “ for I feel as if something dreadful was about to happen.” “That must have been your natural apprehension all along.” eh : “We have been in fear. But the feeling now is different, as if the end were near. explain my meaning.” “J understand,” said Jim, “so you have been awake ?” | | : “Yes, and I heard you arrive, but I thought I would not trouble you. Why did you come ?” asked Hveline, sadly. “It is only the sacrifice of another life, and one that might have been valuable by-and- by. ‘We poor creatures are nothing.” “That may be your opinion, Evy, but it is not mine. J am here because I felt it my duty to come.” I cannot exactly “How did you know we were here? Both mamma and myself insisted on no signals being made - to in to rest, revolver, and stood: THE ISLAND SCHOOL. attract your attention, for we knew you would be: coming at the risk of your life, and, perhaps, the others also. castle !” | “Not so’ bad as our enemies, though,” said Jim, with quiet elation. have met with death. It is:a horrible thing, I know, but we kad to do it. Poor Waller is gone. He was: shot in the head, and some of us have a scar or two, but. on the whole we have done wonderfully well. Morse is a marvel. be still enough.” “And what would Morse have done without you ?” “May I walk with you? I cannot’ said Eveline. sleep. Shall I bother you with my chattering °”’ “ Not if you speak softly. We are surrounded, ang@ all depends on our being able to get help in the morn- ing. It ought to come early, but if we fence ourselves * in we may be able to hold out for hours.” “Mamma is very ill,” said Eveline; “she is worn out with anxiety. You have seen nothing of papa, I suppose ?” “Not heard anything of them since they were taken prisoners.” “Them! Oh, yes. He had Storeby and Turner | with him. I suppose those wretches have murdered! | quiet corner all to herself. EEE ————————— ..._ ees them all?” “Tt is possible. How is Miss Dibble?” “ Alternately ferocious and tearful. She says she has something on her mind, but won’t tell us what 1t 1S. Algua Marbalo for choice, so as to have him in a fowl would have as many feathers as the hairs she would leave on the Don’s head.” — HKveline laughed softly. Even at that time of: anxiety she could see the humorous side of the gaunt Miss Hlegantine. | “You are plucky,” said Jim, admiringly. ‘“ Well, Evy, we must hope for the best. I shall fight to the last, you may reckon. | Macbeth -is the only one who may collapse at the start, although I don’t reckon much on Hamlet.” “T will fight, too,” said Eveline. ‘‘ Now, Jim, don’t What an awful time you have had at the “‘T should say that fifty of them: Without him we should all now: And she longs to get hold of a Spaniard, Don I think a well-plucked So will most of those with me. - laugh. I mean it. But, of course, I shall make a poor | show.” “Tt is no laughing matter,” said Jim. So they walked to and fro for two hours or more. while the earth turned upon its centre. When Jim reckoned it was about one in the morning, he insisted upon Eveline’s retiring. : “Tam going to waken those fellows,” he said ; “ we must have some sort of shelter.” “Can’t we help you? Do let me do something.” “Tt is not woman’s work,” said Jim. So he dismissed her, and then quickly awoke the (G0) 000 Nic CS @ @ ) mn