The Island School — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

62 THE ISLAND SCHOOL. “A nice look-out,” said Morse, grimly. “Don’t forget,” urged Jim, earnestly, “that if the launch and its occupants are to be rescued, it must be done as I suggest. Giuseppo will certainly strike for the school, or the spot where he appointed to meet Reenardi. Unless he is checked, he will get there in time to surprise the schoolhouse. It is difficult to say to what lengths he will not go. Morse, I rely upon you to do as I wish. At the utmost you will not have more than a week in the old city.” “A city accursed.” “TI thought you were not superstitious P” Morse laughed lightly, and, turning to Terry and ) j last came ashore. Te get to the boat there was the the others, asked them what they would do. “We think Jim has made the only possible arrange- } ment,” they said. “And are you willing to accept me as temporary ) leader in his place ?” “ Certamly,” said Terry ; “next to Jim, you are the boss of the school.” “ All right,” said Morse, reflectively, “I am satis- fied. Jim, you may-make your mind easy. Giuseppo and his men will probably be detained here until you have returned in the launch to the old drum. Further- more, we will see you off to-night, and if there should be any attempt to detain you, somebody will suffer.” There was not much time to spare. The evening was drawing nigh, and as soon as it was dark enough, the attempt to board the launch ought to be made, As there was no indication of any of the smugglers straying from their camping pround in the direction of the wreck, they decided to descend to it while there was sufficient daylight to guide them. Remee and Charley were for the time to be left behind. But the bear was disposed to resent this arrange- : ment, and when the boys were ready to start, it - expressed a strong desire to go with them. _It was not until Jim, imperatively pointing to the tent and bidding it lie down there, that it would leave them. Then, with a whine, it went in and lay down with the most disconsolate expression of countenance ever seen on the face of a beast. Descending the cliff without anything to disturb them the boys hid behind the wreck until the night had | come, and then went on in the direction of the sandy | nook, They were guided to it by the faint glare of a fire | above the jutting cliff, which the smugglers had hehted. It shone up above the jutting promontory of cliff a with a dull light that was as the glow of a very dis- tant conflagration. It limned out the solid rock in huge silhouetted form, making it a big blank under the red and yellow of the blaze below,.and out of sight. It was as the iaint reflection of a hidden inferno. As with Jim, so with all, They could, unobserved, | by peering round the rock, see what was going on inside the sandy nook. The smugglers had lighted a fire and were gathered round it, some drinking, others indulging in the un- dying passion of the Spaniard for gambling, some doing both. The fire lighted up the whole crescent of reck enclosing the sandy fleor, and its glare was on the summit of every rippling wave within a mile of the shore. The boat that belonged to the “ Dart’ lay on the | beach, with the water just lapping the stern. The two | oars were visible, their blades sticking up over the sides a8 they had been earelessly left by those who risk of being seen by some of the men round the fire. But those nearest had their backs to the sea, and — the men facing it had the glare of the fire in their eyes. This much was m favourof anyone making an attempt to reach the httle boat. It occurred to Jim that it was so. “T will get to it as quickly as possible, cover the eround between the men and the boat, and let fly if there is arush fer me. I may not be detected, but the possibility is, one or more may see me.” They understeed him. The first need of the situa- tion was that he should get to the boat, and the second ene that he should be able to launch it and pull to the “ Dart.” The moment he was afloat all the odds would be im favour of the rescue of the prisoners. By the gleam of the fire it could be seen that the smugglers were armed. They had knives and revol- vers in their sashes, but no rifles or guns of any description were visible. Four rifles, even though they were old muzzle- loaders, counted as something of importance against them in a fight. They killed at a longer range than revolvers will. ‘Ready !” whispered Jim. dash for it.” | “Tm going to make a CHAPTER XLI. THE WORK OF THE NIGHT, Cger iM tightened his belt and #1 looked to the cocking of his F. rifle. He meant to use his ' weapon with effect in ease the emergency should arise. Nor, it may be said, were his companions less reso- lute. Averse as they were, by reason of their years, to the shedding of blood and taking life, they saw that any hesitation on their com Cc 900 q5 OF @ ) — oe - : ; ee ee ee Sf eee eee or —_ _—— Be eee