The Island School — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

%8 the lower ground must be abandoned, and they must retreat to the woods. And, moreover, the movement must be quickly ‘carried out, or ere long it might be too late. dim therefore hastened back, and finding all aroused, imparted the dismal tidings. It was a great blow, but all felt that a retreat was imperative, So the tent was struck, and with as much speed as they could command, they ascended the cliff and took refuge in the wood. The boat of the smugelers on the shore was hidden by the projecting land, and, therefore, Jim and his friends were invisible to them. So far they were safe,and a watch was set upon the wreck below, each taking his turn to play the part of scout, lying on the ground near the verge of ‘the cliff, hidden by some low bushy growth. Nothing was seen of the men for hours. They evidently did not sail away, for if they had their boat would have been seen as soon as it got well out to sea. Nor did any of the men approach the wreck. It was a time of anxiety for the youngsters, which was heightened when, shortly after noon, Terry on ‘scout duty announced the light smoke of a steamer in the horizon. Jt had not been looked for, and Jim, after carefully examining it, said that it was the smoke of a small -erait, and might be the launch. It was beating down upon the island, and, as far as could be judged, making for the bay where the smugglers had been mourning their lost comrade. Anon it was recognised. It was the school steam- launch, and the heart of Jim beat tumultuously. It was strange that it should be in that part of the ‘sea, as the schoolmaster had declared his intention of visiting other islands. For some reason he was rushing into the mouth of the lion. “Mad as a hatter,” said Jim. “ How shall we warn ‘him 2” . “It can’t be done,” replied Morse, “for if we signalled to him, those fellows below would see us also, and what chance should we have against that crew ¢” “But if Eveline and her parents fall into the elutches of the rascals ?” “Possibly they will not; but if they do, then we must do our best to rescue them, and it can only be done by our lying close.” This was Morse’s advice, and it was good. They could all see it, and accordingly they remained con- cealed, making no sign. The yacht came straight in, and, to the amazement oi the watchers, drew up to the smugglers’ boat. Then, and not until then, it was perceived that several men were on her deck, lying at ease close under the side. And the man who was steering was a stranger, too. THE ISLAND SCHOOL. The bitter truth burst upon Jim, with allits ter- rors. The launch had been captured by an enemy. At the moment it was not clear who that enemy was. It might be Espardo Reonardo, or some other equally objectionable villain. What, then, had been done with the owner of the boat, his wife and daughter, and Changeling, the engineer P These were problems not solved for atime. The little boat which the launch trailed behind her was drawn up to the side, and two men from the launch dropped into her. From the watching point our friends had taken up, they could see that much and no more. | It was impossible to identify them. Two strokes of the oars carried them under the cliff, and out of sight. | The mental agony of Jim was very great, and it was a wonder he did not break down. -Bat he kept outwardly calm, although he feared the worst. The schoolmaster and his wife were probably under the sea, and Jiveline a prisoner, to be ultimately forced into a union with that villain Reonardo. There was the hope that he had fled from justice, or—blessed thought !—that he had been arrested. Should that be the case it was possible that after all no lives had been taken, and the captives were all alive below in the launch, to be held to ransom. Spanish pee now and then do a little brigandage to help them along, and Jim’s fond hope was that the capture of the launch was for that purpose and nothing more. But while there is doubt there is unhappiness, and Jim was very miserable. But, according to his wont, he concealed more than half he felt. One thing he considered was requisite, and that was he should get into a position where he could © watch the band of menin the sandy inlet. To do this he would of course have to shift a mile or so along the cliff. Recalling the appearance of the sandy alee he remembered that the cliff there was almost per- pendicular, and once on the summit he would be able to survey them without much chance of being detected, provided he used ordinary caution. So Jim determined on going thither alone, and con- fided his decision to his friends. “Keep a sharp lookout,” he said, “and if you hear a rumpus, wait a few minutes, and if I am not with you or in sight, make tracks back for the school. 1 hardly know, with the loss of the launch, what you will do, but I daresay Morse, with Mr. Groby, will be able to hit on something to save the boys from their enemy. I can’t stay to think it ont now. Look to your weapons, and see that they are in working order. You may want them.” “There is one point,” said Morse, “you have for- 900 nic (G0) (Gl @) cs ‘ rede, at