Commodore Junk — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

IN DEADLY PERIL 73 The excitement of the bird, whose nest was probably some- where near, did not, however, take the attention of the over- seer, who came up, followed by the Irish sentry, stared hard at Abel, gave a short nod as if satisfied that one of his beasts of burden was not going to permanently break down, and then, to the horror of the young men, took off his hat, began fanning himself, and went and sat down in the very spot where Abel had talked with his sister. “ Hot, Paddy, hot!” he said to the soldier. ‘‘ Dinny, sor, av you plaze. Thrue for you, sor, and a taste of dhrink would be very nice for ye; but I shouldn't sit there,” “Why not?” said the overseer. ‘Because the place swarms with thim ugly, four-futted, scaly divils. I’ve gone the rounds here of a night, sor, and heard them snapping their jaws and thumping the wet mud with their tails till I’ve shivered again.” ‘Yes, there’s plenty of them in the creek, Dinny.” ‘‘ Plinty, sor, ’s nothing to it. There niver seems to have been a blessed St. Pathrick here to get rid of the varmin. Why, I’ve seen frogs here as big as turtles, and sarpints that would go round the Hill of Howth.” “Well, look here, Dinny, cock your piece, and if you see anything stir, let drive at it at once.” **Qi will, sor,” said the soldier, obeying orders ; and, taking a step or two forward, he stood watchfully gazing into the dark jungle. “ Have you got your knife, Bart?” whispered Abel, whose face was of a peculiar muddy hue. Bart nodded as he chopped away. *¢ Shall we make a rush at them, and stun them with the hoes 4” Bart shook his head, CONnnicloOol<s