The Island School — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

110 prisoners, whese hands were now secured behind them, started for the chine. Both Mr. Farrell and Chorker were familiar figures to Reonardo, and he was astounded when he beheld them being ited captive. But he was not, for some reason, particularly pleased. Drawing back, he waited in the cave until the party, guided by the first-comer, toiled up the slope. ‘Enter and welcome,” he said. “It is a poor place to receive such guests in.” “I greet you, senor,” said Vampa. “ My message from Giuseppo is that he is coming across the island and will join you here.” | “In the name of all that is pernicious, why could he not come with you? Yetit matters not so much now. How fares it with you, Senor Farrell P” The schoolmaster stared at him and shivered. “Tam not well,” he answered, wretchedly. “ Thanks to the treatment I have received, there is little life left in me.” “And this old sea fraud of yours,’ continued Reonardo—“ this land-fish P Say, then, how is it you honour me with your company ?” “Twill tell you, senor,” said Vampa; “ but first let me ask if you have any wine P” “ A small store,” replied Reonardo, “and no food to speak of, but we will get more by-and-by, as I have a friend on the island who will supply us with all we require. Groby is his name. You know him, friend Farrell ?” Reonardo was in a boisterously offensive mood, and as he put the question he smacked the shrinking schoolmaster upon the back. “He was an assistant of mine,” answered Mr. Farrell, with a haggard stare. ‘Ay, then, 1s it not good for us to be friends f” cried Reonardo. “ We have entered into a compact, this Groby and I. I have exchanged something I never had for something he has no right to give me. There’s a conundrum for you. Answer it if you can.” “It is beyond me,” drearily replied Mr. Farrell. “Tam getting confused with the many events that surround my unhappy life.” “‘ How far does this cave penetrate ” asked Vampa. “Faith, I cannot teil you,” replied Reonardo, with a careless backward glance. “I have not gone far from the mouth of it.” “Ti I might wenture in with a word,” said Chorker, ‘1 should like to say that this ’ere cave goes a long way inter the earth. I’ve been at least a mile down it, and nearly got lost.” “What were you doing here?” asked Mr. Farrell. “Looking for what there ain’t—hidden treasure,” said Chorker. “ It's a take-in is this ‘ere cave.” “Remove the cords from these dogs,” said Reonardo, “and place a man on guard at the mouth ( THE ISLAND SCHOOL. ! | | of the cave. If one of them so much as puts his nose into the open air, let his head be blown off !’ “Capen,” said Chorker, saluting respectfully, “might 1 have a word with you ?” , ‘Yes, but only one, as Iam impatient to hear the story that will tell me how it is you all unnerved me i »by coming here. ‘What I wants, capen,” whispered Chorker, as the pair drew aside, ‘is to jzme you.” ‘And what would a thing like you do for our bold band °” asked Reonardo. “Td look arter hum, anyways,” said Chorker, point- ing at the schoolmaster. ‘Ill bet he wouldn’t get away with my eye on him.” “Not a bad thought,” said Reonardo, boisterously, “Let dog eat dog if you will. Farrell, here is the sentinel placed over you. Beware of him, for he is savage and remorseless, like all traitorous friends. He is one of us, is this bold, bad man. What is your name, my gallant recruit ?” : ‘“Chorker, capen.”’ ‘“‘A goodly name, surely. Get down the cave with your charge, and don’t, as you value your lives, either of you come near me without being summoned. If you do ” He finished by significantly touching the weapons in his belt. “Come up with you,” said Chorker to the school- master, “and don’t you give me any of your trouble, or you'll rue it, as I, being one of the band of galyant smugglers, will act according.” “Chorker,” said Mr. Farrell, “I beg of you to treat me with courtesy and consideration. I found you poor, and I brought you with me across the sea to the home you have had for two years or more. During that time you have been well fed, clothed, and allowed to do as you please.” “Tf you hadn’t wanted me,” said Chorker, roughly, “you wouldn’t have hired me, so don’t make a wirtue of that.” ‘You are an ungrateful hound,” said Mr. Farrell, plucking up a bit of spirit. “None of your insolence,” growled Chorker, giving him a push; “on yer goes, out of the sight of these yere genelmen, who must reglar loathe the sight of you, as I does.” | Speaking in this fashion to catch the ear of the Spanish ruffians and curry favour with them, Chorker hustled his late master along the cave, out of sight, and Espardo Reonardo, grimly twirling his moustache, said : “Tt does one good to have the heel on these English dogs.” ‘They are not worthy of the name of Englishmen,” said Vampa; “‘make the most of that pair, for you will not meet many like them of the race.” Having made. and lighted cigarettes, the two men. mn ‘Ss (el @) @ (G0) 900 aa