The Island School — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

PE OM | (Re Sy oe TM eee Rta NU RA Gt A Wik 1 AE ea a sh 7 fi ca tuabs ety t : ’ mO.4t ; f him F ! wi? ‘ ; is iio ph 6 ¢ ; ¥ F, us ‘ ? +. y, aN the schoolmaster, ~& You will come to no “a farm,” — - “To no harm ?” exclaimed Mrs, Farrell. pores ee NT O, for you will probably, after my demise, ie espouse some Spanish grandee, and Hveline, too. You | will soon forg et all about me and my miserable fate.” he 4 *' 6 i —_s es mi The tone of voice with which he concluded showed | - that he was on the verge of erying. a “Tf a Spanish grandee, or a Spanish dandee,” said Mrs. Farrell, emphatically, “ dared to ask me to marry Rs _ him, I would scratch his eyes out !” “Not’ you,” said the schoolmaster ; - think it an honour.” e _ “Papa is upset,” said Evetine; “he won’t talk like Pt | that when our friends come to our assistance.” i Ri “We have not a friend in the world,’ asserted Mr. i ‘Farrell. Lh Jim waited to hear no more, but stealing softiy * vag / an made his way to the narrow companion that led to the engine-room. He stopped at the entrance i _ to listen to some growling that was going on below, ‘4 “Only let me get the grab on any Spaniard in the f future, I'll scalp him and roast him afterwards. Not e Me that it matters to me, a horphan; but when I thinks i‘ ioe of others, my blood biles. And to tie me up to my own engine, too! Adding insult to injury. Blow ’em ! ___ Jigger the whole crew !” age ‘It was, of course, Changeling who was thus easing ‘ a off the steam in his wrath. Jim slipped down the a short iron ladder that led to the engine-room, and, e assuming a eruff voice, said : “You aregmaking a nice sort of row there! do you mean by it ?” “tT have got to do something, or go off my head,” replied Changeling. “Not a bit o’ wittles haveI had _ this day, nor a drop o’ drink. Do you call yourselves men, you warmints ?” : | ‘Beware lest you suffer for your insolence,” turned Jim. +“ T don’t care for no suffering,” said Changeling, bitterly. “Why don’t you set the poneine going and make sausage-meat of me ?” ‘‘ Because,” answered Jim, in his natural voice, “TI oo _ wouldn’t harm a friend for the world—at least, not to the extent of cutting him into mincemeat.” ; “Who's that?” asked Changeling, with a gasp. + “Why, Jim Gordon, of course,” replied Jim, as he lighted a match. “ Now, don’t get excited. Where's _ the lamp ? Iseeit. There we are, fairly lit up.” He turned to look at Changeling, and for amoment | felt inclined to smile. The Spaniards had laid him along the top of the engine, and securely lashed him. to the driving-rods. he would have been wrenched this way and that, and Be i speedily killed ina most horrible manner, It was reflection on Bees eae that repressed What re- a HE ISLA “you would Had the engine been set going > HRs eae)! ne was made o f AA a i, is “4, i tty Miike brian iV | ans s smile, He cut the’ onds of ‘he hal Changeling, and assisted him « down i fi “3 i ROR He sank into a sitting position on ihe ious stoo O ordinarily oceupied when merely keeping an an his engine at work, and rubbing his aching lim stared at Jim as if he ae the evidence | of Da senses. | ‘ eae “You don’t seem to understand how Kr got here said Jim. *) ara “T don’t,” answered Chancel “« but if ee were welcome to aman as thinks a lot of ere are at this ’ere moment.” 4 dan a » “Tt doesn’t matter how I got here ote aare de ‘sai Jim; “T haven’t time to go into it. You. shall kno are thane by-and-by.” 4 he a one Jim struck another match and applied i it tot Sage that worked the engine. — “For a moment or two,” he said, “I must leav ( you to look after the engine. Get the steam up a soon as youcan. When I have found Se eat and drink I will bring it along. I can get th Ges up without assistance. » We must put to sea al : once.” | a “ But, Mister Gorden? Wa Ron ee “No time to talk to you now, Changeling. ri) ust Fe keep your head cool and do as I tell you. There are others on board who want looking to.” a “All T want,” murmured Changeling, “i is a drop ie summat to moisten my lips, and Pd be glad for tha as soon asi can getit.” ae “Tl see to you in a minute or two,” ciel Jim, 2 As the lamp of the engine lighted up the ae ly Jim, taking with him the hand-lamp, ascended t ladder, and returned to the region of the cabin. he * Casting a glance round him, he saw the key of the door hanging on a nail hard by. pats He judged it was the key, anyway, and on trying it he discovered he-was correct in his surmise. ; AL Unlocking the door, he entered, ae the ight over his head, aC “ Do not Be alarmed,” he said ; oe “T am a » friend, con to help you.” ane a | “Jim !” cried Eveline, and on, the itn Se of t he. momeut, threw her arms round his” neck, ~ But recovering herself immediately, she drew back, blush- ing acco Luckily the glare of the lamp Fe: half- eS me ea blinded her parents, they having previously been in the dark, and the impulsive act was not observed. nen ‘¢ Gordon,” said Mrs. Farrell, f after a moment’ ‘ pause, “how is it you come to help us? We have been treated most offensively by a gang of, ‘ruffians. Mr. Farrell, having by this time pulled himseiE together, and arrived at the conclusion that somehow _he had been rescued from his foes, and was perfec ak safe from. further insult and ee fe) Sa hata igh, ; UN ; yt ; vg iGial ies vt Of ay ies fae we Bx aS sae ue fetes cae are f me Ki Sa 4? ee ay Ne a :