The Island School — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

130 “He won't harm you, sir,” replied Morse, “ unless you attempt to run away. Charley, be quiet!” Charley was eyeing the schoolmaster with anything but favour, and had they been alone there would have been something unpleasant. But as things were he was amenable to discipline, and contented himself with angrily glaring at the terrified man, and growling in a low tone. * He is a fine animal, isn’t he, sir?” said Morse, secretly enjoying Mr. Farrell’s fear and agony. ‘6 'Ye-e-e-s, Morse !” was the stammering reply, “but do-o-o you think he is exactly the sort of creature to keep—a be-a-ar in the house ?” “Well, you see, sir,” said Morse, thoughtfully, “we've got him. Just got him.” ‘* But he could be kille-e-ed ?” Charley must have understood, or he may have obeyed some secret sign from Morse as well-trained horses do in a circus, for he rose up on his hind legs and pawed the air in a slow, impressive way, illustra- tive of clawing the life out of a man. The sight to a man of Mr. Farrell’s temperament was appalling. He would have fled if he dared, but remembering the warning of Morse, he glued himself against the wall, and gasped out : “ Put him back again—put him back, I beg of you!” “ But you must see the tricks he can do, sir,” urged Morse. “T am sure he can do them to perfection, and I—I would rather not,’ muttered the wretched man. “ He is fond of showing off,” said Morse, doubtfully, ‘and, having been brought out, he expects to go through his performance. He won’t like being put back as if he were a common bear. Though good- tempered, as a rule, he is now and then uncertain.” “ Will it take lo-o-ong ?” asked Mr. Farrell. “Only a few minutes, sir,’ cheerfully answered Morse. “Be as quick as you can, please,” murmured the schoolmaster. It was pitiful to see how this man belied his name and pretensions in every way. While Charley went through some of his tricks, he leant against the wall, his face white and bedewed with perspiration. He was filled with the fears that the coward feels on the battle-field, where, according to the poet, he dies a thousand deaths. Morse at length put Charley back into the wood- shed, and Mr. Farrell hastened away, in a condition of _ fear and wrath not easy to describe. As for permitting suca an animal as a bear residing at the school, he would not permit it. Assoon as he could get the chance he would poison the brute. He had some knowledge of chemistry, and could distil certain poisons, such as the.belladonna from the deadly nightshade plant. THE ISLAND SCHOOL. He had a retort, although he rarely used it, and he would get it into order at once. The rest of the morning he was busy preparing it for use in his private room. Chorker had to wait until past noon in the chine ere he saw Changeling coming leisurely along with a bundle in his hand and a pipe in his mouth. “ Better late than niver,” muttered Chorker, “ but I think he might ha’ brought it sooner. [I feels wolfish,” CHAPTER LXVILI. THE POISON PREPARED. suppose you knows the time? Changeling viciously. “‘ Can’t say to half an hour or so,’ was the reply, “and you don’t carry a watch, I reckon.” “And wot’s here?” said Chorker, opening the bundle. “What! these are the bits of bread from the table and a small chunk o’ cheese. You don’t expect me to live on that, do yer ?” “Tt was the best I could lay my hands on to-day,” said Changeling. ‘If you don’t like it hand it back, and I’ll see what I can get for you to-morrow.” Changeling put his hand out to take the food, but Chorker hastily drew back. “T couldn’t wait until to-morrow, nohow,” he said ; ‘“‘T’ll make the best on it. Where’s them rugs to sleep on you promised me ?” “T forgot ’em,” answered Changeling, repressing a grin. “They ain’t easily got at, you know. I’m alser out o’ ’bacca, and there won’t be none given out till Nap Farrell is on the hopposite tack. At present he’s a-sailing on the rampage. He's been Boks for you, and I’m sure he had a knife up his sleeve.” ‘Now what can have made him so wenymous agin me f” - “ He says you are one of them smugglers and pirates, and he’ll execute you.” “ Good ’ivens !”? muttered Chorker, “ the bitterness of some people! It ain’t nateral nor human.” “Well, good-bye,” said Changeling, as he turned away. “Keep up your pecker till to-morrow.” He went off grinning, with some such thoughts as the following in his mind: “’Bacca and blankets for you, Chorker? Not I if knows it.. You've got to do pennants for yer sins, my boy. A little sufferin’ won’t be throwed Baas upon you.” On his return, he hada private interview with Morse Rae a) ( Gi @ ) aa CS said Chorker, eyeing ee ate gee Hi y's tig 4 ede oe com