Commodore Junk — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

IN DEADLY PERIL. 71 ‘Impossible ! We should be overtaken and shot before we had gone a mile.” ‘‘ But you must escape,” said Mary. ‘ You must get down here by night.” “How?” said Bart, gruffly. “You two must settle that,” said Mary, quickly. “I am only a woman; but I have found means to get here with a boat, and I can come again and again till you join me.” “Yes,” said Abel, decidedly ; ‘“‘ we will contrive that.” ‘“‘ But is it safe, lass, where you are?” “ What do you mean?” ‘They telled us there was the crocodiles all along that creek, and sharks out beyond, if we tried to run.” “Yes,” said Mary, calmly, “there are plenty of these creatures about.” “Listen,” said Abel, quickly, and speaking as decidedly now as his sister. ‘‘ Can you get here night after night?” “Yes,” said Mary. ‘I have been here every night since I spoke to you last.” ‘Then keep on coming.” “Yes,” said Mary ; “I will till you escape.” ‘You have the boat?” “Yes,” “‘ And provisions ¢” “Yes ; a little.” “ But how do you manage?” “‘] am fishing if any one sees me; but it is very lonely here. I see nothing but the birds,” she added to herself, “‘ and sharks and alligators ;” and as she said this she smiled sadly. ‘Be careful, then,” said Abel. ‘‘ Bart, old lad, we will escape.” There was a loud expiration of the breath from the jungle, and Abel continued— Gomicbooks a)