The Island School — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

70. LHE Around the beast’s neck was a well-worn leathern collar, to which was attached a chain about ten feet long, dragging behind him. The hunted, weary, bitterly savage look on the beast’s face was almost comical. He seemed to be more exasperated than terrified, and his retreat was that of one who flies from some beggarly foe it is im- possible to get at in fair fight. And such a foe was hunting him through the wood in the form of hundreds of small Barbary apes, that eame tumbling and rolling along over the branches of the trees from the lowest to the highest, as a swarm of flies in pursuit of a cask of sugar. The air seemed to be positively laden with them» and each and all devoted themselves to worrying that hapless bear, who could only put up with their begearly assaults and chattering insults, and fly be- fore them. The bear passed on out of sight, the apes vanished; and the boys came out of their hiding-places to laugh at the spectacle, and wonder how a bear with a chain round its neck could possibly have become an in- habitant of that lonely forest. “It strikes me, boys,’ said Morse, “that we shall | not crack that nut in a hurry.” * T noticed the chain,” remarked Jim ; “it was bright, with constant dragging on the ground, and it appeared to be be worn in places. The brute may have been here for years.” “Or a few days, or even hours only,” said Morse; “I have seen that class of fellow being taken round by Normandy peasants. The men teach the brutes all sorts of tricks, and live and sleep with them as chummy as possible.” “ But here—fere,” said Jim, “ what is the good of a performing bear here ?” * Well, he is here,” replied Morse, “and it useless to speculate. Suppose we get back to Romeo? Al- though that chattering crew did not go near him, he may have heard the hullaballoo, and been scared half out of his wits.” CHAPTER XXXIV. THE DESERTED TOWN.—BOMEO ACQUIRES A NEW , FRIEND. -}OMEO had heard the sounds, ei, but thought that it was NG coming rain, and had merely Joe hastened on with his cook- f.@<$ ing. The fry was done to ’® perfection, and the aroma hg of it was quite tempting. + But as, the boyshad already @ dined, they resisted their D> TRE carnal promptings, and having assisted Romeo to pack ISLAND SCHOOL. and resume his burden, they, pursued their way through the wood. Whether the concourse of apes had driven all form of animal life away from the district for the present, is uncertain, but, in fact, nothing of more importance than flies or other insects was seen during the rest of the afternoon. | With occasional halts for rest they kept steadily on, sometimes meeting with fallen trees that barred their way, or dense clumps of undergrowth that they had to go round, because they could not be pene- trated. But so good: progress did they make, that when the time of sunset drew nigh they judged that they had covered nearly ten miles of ground. All, indeed, were eager-to get out of the wood, and it was with great satisfaction that, towards the close of the afternoon march, they found the ‘tall trunks rapidly thinning, As there was no moon during the early hours, they took advantage of the last hour of dayhght to pitch the tent, so as to have all snug and comfortable for the night. Romeo, meanwhile, prepared the little pig, shot at the beginning of the day, for supper. Not one of the five young adventurers lacked appe- tite on ordinary occasions, but their gastronomical powers had been enormously increased by the journey. “T can appreciate a wolf's feelings,” said Terry, as the odour of roast-pig floated on the air and saluted his nostrils. - “The alluring joys of scent known to the eager hounds are apparent to me. Hurry up, Romeo, or I shall die of anticipations unfulfilled.” ¢ De ranimal on de p’int ob bein’ done,” said Romeo. It was soon ready, and a feast almost as rugged ag those of the ancient Britons was partaken of. Knives they had, but only one fork, used for cook ing and carving. There were no plates. Bread, too, was scantily served ; but they had an unlimited supply of tender pork—the tenderest they had ever partaken of—with salt,and tea to drink, so that they were filled and more than satisfied. Although that night was not cold, there were mists. in the air, and a fire was both cheerful and needed. The boys squatted by the tent, talking of those they had left behind them, and sundry other matters, Jim alone being silent. He was thinking o* Eveline and her father and mother at sea, wondering, and fearing as he wondered, if ill had befallen them. _ He thought some hard things of Mr. Farrell, but as. he did not give them utterance we need not put them on record here. Romeo,.on his haunches, squatted close by with a, wooden pipe filled with some sort of leaves he had carefully gathered an hour before, and smoked with eB an air of intense enjoyment, : 0: @ @) Com OF @ ) cS