Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 217 of 365
Commodore Junk — page 217: what you’re looking at
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210 COMMODORE JUNK. ** Where have I seen him befure?” he said, thoughtfully ; and after gazing at the carven effigy for some time he closed his eyes and tried to think, but their last meeting on the deck of the sloop was all that would suggest itself, and he turned wearily upon his side. “He seemed to have heard of our family, and his manner was strange ; but I can’t think now,” he said, “I am hot and weak, and this place seems to stifle me.” Almost as he spoke he dropped asleep—the slumber of weakness and exhaustion—to be plunged in a heavy stupor for hours, perfectly unconscious of the fact that from time to time the great curtain was drawn aside and a big head thrust into the dim chamber, the owner gazing frowningly at the helpless prisoner, and then entering on tiptoe, to cross to the window and cautiously look out before returning to the couch, with the frown deepening as the man thought of how narrow the step was which led from life to death. He had advanced close to the couch with a savage gleam of hatred in his eyes when Humphrey Armstrong moved uneasily, tossed his hands apart, and then, as if warned instinctively of danger, he opened his eyes, sprang up, and seized a piece of stone close by his side, the only weapon within grasp. “ Well,” said Bart, without stirring, and with a grim look of contempt, “heave it. I don’t mind.” ‘Oh, it’s you!” said the prisoner, setting down the stone and letting himself sink back. “1 was dreaming, I suppose, and thought there was danger.” He laid his feverish cheek upon his hand, and seemed to fall asleep at once, his eyes closing and his breath coming easily. ‘‘Trusts me,” muttered Bart. “ Poor lad! it ar’n’t his fault. Man can’t kill one as trusts him like that. I shail Gomichooksneo =n)