Commodore Junk — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

294 COMMODORE JUNK. be for coming here if it wasn’t the safest place. Come along; sure, it’s a lion’s den, as ye call it, and the best spot I know.” He whispered to Humphrey to follow cautiously, and crept on all-fours among the dense growth, and in and out among the loose stones at the very edge of the forest, till the tunnel-like pathway was reached in safety, when, after crawling a few yards out of the blinding sunshine into the shadowy gloom, Dinny rose to his feet. ‘‘ There, sor,” he said, “we can walk like Christians, now, and not like animal bastes. There isn’t a sound.” As he spoke, there was a peculiar cry, and a gorgeously- plumaged bird flitted into sight, and perched on a piece of stone in the sunny opening of the tunnel, where its scarlet breast and dazzling golden-green plumage glittered in the sun. “Sure and yere a purty fowl, and ’'m much obliged to ye for the information,” said Dinny, as the bird erected its brilliant crest, stared wildly, and then flew off with its long green tail- feathers streaming out behind. ‘‘ He says there’s nobody about, sor, or he wouldn’t be here. Come along.” It seemed like a dream to Humphrey after his sleepless night, to find himself once more in the gloomy corridor with the faint light streaming in at the side-openings, instead of in a boat, dancing over the blue waters and leaving the buccaneer’s nest behind. But it was the bare reality, as Dinny went forward, drew the great curtain aside, and he passed in and on from behind the great idol to throw himself, worn-out and ex- hausted, upon his couch of skins. “Sure and I wouldn't trate it like that, sor,” cried Dinny, cheerfully. ‘We have eshcaped, sor, though we haven't got away, and been obliged to come back again.” “Don’t talk folly, man.” “ An’ is it folly ye call it? Sure an’ we have eshcaped, or else why are they all in purshuit of us? We've got away, and Gomilichbooksneo