Jack and His Seven Foes — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. the -himself that there were no listeners, Swaggerer unfolded his scheme. The Pantaloon and the Sneezer were in the relief watch, and did not share in the conterence. ‘Remember this,” said the Swag- eerer: “only we two init. Let every- thing be done well, and take our time over it.” ‘Where will you try for land? ”’ « About Uruguay. I think we ought to be safe there.” « Right.” The next day they began their work. The * Rattlesnake ”’ carried four boats, and in three of these the Panther * drilled holes in the off-side, covering up his work with tarpaulin. One by one the oars were pitched overboard. The boats swung in the davits as they had swung for many days, and nobody suspected the mischief that had been dlone—the tarpaulin covered all. When their watch was in the night, the Swaggerer was down belojy. The nights were quiet, the wind fair, and the captain seldom came on deck. Slocum Kerry was supposed to have charge of the ship at the time, but he contented himself with coming up now and then, and seeing that her head was all right. The demeanour of the Swaggerer and the Panther had of late been so abject that he suspected nothing. But two people on board suspected much, and they were the Sneezer and he Pantaloon. Said the Pantaloon to the Sneezer— “There’s something afloat between those two.” - Said the Sneezer to the Pantaloon— “There is. Let’s keep an eye on them.” . “We will.” And accordingly they did so, in that quiet way of theirs which some people would have called ‘‘ sneaking.” Little by little they got at the root of what was going on, but they made no sion. “We will see that they don’t go with- out us,” said the Pantaloon. ) “ We will,” said the Sneezer. One night, + when it was as dark as it ever is on the ocean, the Swaegerer and the Panther, haying all things aeaols te, ee SS... —- oo _—_— oe ~_ determined out their plot. | Their watch was the middle one, and all things favoured them. Abraham Spanker had been very drunk that day, and Slocum Kerry had taken advantage of his relapse to imbibe: too. Both were below, and the ship was left to the man at the wheel and the men of the watch. The Swaggerer and Panther forward, and conversed in whispers. “We shall get no better chance,” said the former ; ; “T have quietly t taken our bearings to- day, and I reckon we are not fifty miles from land.” “Tiven that is something,” said one Panther. “But the boat is provisioned ; I caf in a bag of biscuit last night. Remem- ber that it is for life and liberty. é “All ri¢ght—go ahead.” The Sw ageerer ak away, anc. olided below. The Panther drew 43 to the gig, loosened the ropes, and lowered. — None of the rest of the watch heard a sound. Jiverything had been done, every pre- caution taken. The saturated with oil. Having done this much, he stood by, waiting patiently. In about ten minutes the Swaggerer came gliding back. Behind him were two shadowy figures, which neither he nor the Panther per- celved., 1s sall whispered. SUN pater nat “ drop in.’ “Stop a minute,” close behind him With a smothered oath, the Swag- gerer swung round, and saw dimly the upon carrying drew clear?” the Swaggerer rephed the Panther ; said a soft. voice figure of Sneezer just behind him. Close by was another, which he made out to be the Pantaloon “Why ain’t you fellows in your bunks?” he asked, in a low tone. ‘“‘ Because we ain’t such fools,” replied the Sneezer ; “ we know your game.” ceNes, you’ ve scuttled the ship, and. you ve about ten n ninutes to set away. We are going with you.” “Oh, that’s it, is it?” “Pals hitherto and pals always.” Sot pulleys were = COMmMICcooOoks (Cc (CO)