The Island School — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

322 “That is my opinion, Gordon. By the way, he told me something about a wonderful deserted city, some- where in the heart of the island. I should hke a glimpse at that, as I am endowed with the sailor's. weakness for finding and inspecting strange places.” ‘TI, too, want to go there,” said Jim, ‘‘ but we must settle down first. The school, as Farrell kept it, is smashed. More than two-thirds of our number, all the younger ones, were sent home. I do not know what that may lead to. Complaints, of course, and possibly interference with us by the Home Govern- ment.” | “They would prosecute Farrell, you think ?” sug- gested Daw. | “Tf they could find him. I think he must be dead, but we can learn all about that from Lucia di Valo.” “The pretty Spaniard lymg wounded in the castle P” “Yes ; she will tell the truth. If Farrell is alive he ‘is somewhere on the island. I do not think he would die of starvation without one try to get back to us.” , ‘He may turn up soon.” “Possibly. But no more of his ruling for me. I have my notions of the future. Mr. Farrell can keep his book-learning for others. We who are left behind have nothing more to acquire from him. The school will have to be on an entirely different footing.” “T should dearly like to stay with you, Gordon, and see the thing out.” “Stay, by all means. You will be heartily welcome. There is a lot to do, of which I will give you the particulars after we return to the castle, and get time for a quiet chat. There isa ship lying on the other side, which I consider belongs to us. We also can claim all we have found in the castle, and in a cave yonder I have some parcels we got out of a derelict to overhaul. In short, all sorts of things to occupy us right through the winter, and, if Iam not. mistaken, into the ensuing summer.” “Much may happen meanwhile,’ hinted Johnny Dawah sy 5. True,” said Jim, ‘but whatever may turn up we can hold our own.” “Your friends return P” “No,” replied Jim, with a smile. “I do not think that the greater part of our friends will worry. But Jet us get back. Nothing in the way of sport to-day, but you may get better luck to-morrow.” at home may insist on our THE ISLAND SCHOOL. CHAPTER CLXXVIL THE SKELETON AT THE FEAST, NOTE from Eveline,” said Morse, as he met Jim at the gate. ‘“ What, no more pigs ?” “Not to-day,” replied Johnny Daw. ‘But I mean to have a big slaugh. ter to-morrow.” He put down his rifle, and Morse, glancing at it, saw thecapuponthenipple. “You are not what the world calls a sportsman,’ he said. ) “How do you know that?” demanded Daw, raising his eyebrows. ‘No good sportsman,” replied Morse, “‘ comes within fifty yards of his home with his gun loaded. He either draws the charge or fires it off This rule, of course, is confined to sport, and not to military work.” “T never thought of it,” said Daw. “How do you extract a charge?” Morse smiled, and drawing the ramrod, showed him where the top unscrewed. A _ reversible corkscrew then came to light. “Put this down the nuzzle,” he said, “and give it a twist or two. The screw will go through the wad, and then you can drawit. The bullet or shot will | slip out. Repeat the same process with the powder, and there you are. Take off the cap first, and care- fully lower the hammer. That’s it.” While Johnny Daw was receiving this necessary lesson from Morse, Jim opened the letter and found it was very short. | ‘Thought you would iike to know how sheis. Always singing your praises, especially when she ought to be quiet. Wants to see you wuen she gets better, * HVELINE.” “Too many shes here,” muttered Jim; “rather a cranky letter. I suppose I have done something wrong, after all. Bother the women and the girls, there is always something queer with them!” But he was still further puzzled by the appearance of Dibble, who sidled up to him and thrust another note into his hand. | “TI was asked to give you this,” he whispered, “and not let anybody see.” Jim half expected it was from Lucia, but a glance at it showed that it was Eveline’s -writing. Opening it, he read the following curious epistle. ‘‘T am really very foolish—horribly mean, and yon must forgive me, dear Jim. (Lucia is an angel.” Eom ( @ 900 €55 com