Commodore Junk — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

THE SAFEST PLACE. 297 seemed to be quite correct, for though voices were heard at a distance, no one approached the place. They had the hidden subterranean tomb-like chamber into which they could retreat ; and on the second night, while Dinny was watching and Hum- phrey, utterly worn out, was sleeping feverishly and trying to forget the troubles and disappointments of his failure, there was a faint rustling noise heard, and directly after his name was whispered softly from above. “ Murther !” cried Dinny, unable to contain himself as he sprang up. His exclamation and the noise he made brought Humphrey from his couch, alert, and ready for any struggle. «What is it?” he said. “Sure, sor, something freckened me. A mouse, I think.” “ Dinny !” came in a reproachful voice from above. “ Mistress Greenheys!” cried Humphrey. ‘“ You there?” “Yes. I came to try and learn tidings of you. I did not know you were both prisoners.” “Sure an’ we're not, darlin’,” said Dinny. “ We only tuk refuge here, so as to be near you. An’ where have you been?” “IT crept back to my place,” said the woman, “and reached it without having been missed.” “Then ye're quite free to come and go?” “< ‘Yes—quite.” “ Hrin-goragh /” cried Dinny, excitedly. ‘Then what yeve got to d), darling, is to go back and come agen as soon as ye can wid semething to ate, for we shall soon be starved.” “Yes, Dinny ; I'll come again to-night.” “'There’s a darlin’ for ye, sor. But tell us. What are they doing?” “Searching for you far and wide; and the captain is furious. He says he will have you found.” “ And ye’ve been quite well, darlin’ ?” CONnnicGloOolk<s —