Commodore Junk — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

IN DEADLY PERIL. 69 *« Are you mad?” he cried. ‘ Mary, for God’s sake keep back !” The warning was needed, for from across the plantation the overseer and a couple of soldiers came running, every movement on the part of the prisoners being watched. ‘‘ Sham ill, lad ; sham ill,” whispered Bart, as a piteous sigh came from the depths of the jungle. “Now, then, youtwo. Fighting again?” roared the over- seer, as he came panting up, “ Fighting, sir!” growled Bart ; “rum fighting. He nearly went down.” ‘‘ He was trying to escape.” . “Escape!” growled Bart. ‘ Look at him. Sun’s hot.” The overseer bent down over Abel, whose aspect helped the Ulusion, for he looked ghastly from his emotion ; and he had presence of mind enough to open his eyes, look about wildly from face to face, and then begin to struggle up, with one hand to his head. ‘‘Ts it the fayver, sor 4” said one of the soldiers. “No. Touch of the sun,” said the overseer. ‘ They’re always getting it. There, you're all right, ar’n’t you?” “‘ Yes, sir,” said Abel, slowly, as he picked up his hoe. ‘Sit down under the trees there for a few minutes,” said the overseer. ‘‘ Lend him your water-bottle, soldier. And you stop with him till he’s better. I’ll come back soon.” This last was to Bart, playing, as it were, into the prisoners’ hands, for Bart took the water-bottle; and as the overseer went off with his guard, Abel was assisted to the edge of the jungle, where a huge cotton-tree threw its shade ; and here Bart placed him on an old stump, trembling the while, as he held the water to his companion’s lips. It was hard work to keep still while the others went out of hearing ; but at last it seemed safe, and Abel panted out— CONnnicloOol<s