The Island School — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

NAPOLEON AT He had no fear of it himself, and he strode on, sticking the hoe into one hole after another without any result for a time. But when he had gone through this ceremony about a score times, he on thrusting in the hoe between two big stones covered on the top with trailing plants, extracted a loud “Oh!” from some person hidden there. Mrs. Farrell screamed, and Eveline, startled, looked apprehensively about her until Rainstone, who had recognised the voice, called out: “Don’t be alarmed. It is only Mr. Farrell.” And the schoolmaster it was. In a mortal terror he had taken refuge, like a rabbit, in a hole. He, too, recognising a familiar voice, backed out; his place of retreat was so narrow that he could not come forth any other way, and, rising to his feet, endeavoured to appear. dignified and calm. But when a ‘man is smothered in grit and has his hat off and his hair rumpled about his eyes, it takes a more imposiug figure than Mr. Farrell could boast of to look majestic. In short, he looked ridiculous. “ Ahem!” he said, “ have you ceased gardening for the day ?” “ Yes, sir,” replied Rainstone, with a curled lip. “Mrs. Farrell has been alarmed, and we thought it better that she should return home.” ‘“‘ Alarmed !” said Mr. Farrell, raising his eyebrows; “at what, may I ask?” The question, coming from him, was exceedingly eool.. For a moment nobody answered him. Then Mrs. Farrell spoke: “Why do you try to hide your cowardice, Nap, by feigning ignorance? You saw that murderous wretch come out of the wood, and ran away.” ‘‘T did nothing of the sort,” replied the school-’ master, violently. “I merely left you to botanise. On my way here I fancied I saw a fine specimen of the Japonica glorionsia growing in that hole, and I was seeking it when Rainstone impertinently thrust in that hoe, and ‘has, I believe, materially injured me. I do not believe that any of you saw a man.” “Dare you go back to the vineyard alone ?” tartly inquired Mrs. Farrell. | “I dare,” he answered, ‘‘ but I do not intend to do so merely to gratify the idle whim of a woman.” So saying, he stalked on ahead; but ere he had gone far, the boys, unable to control themselves, burst out laughing. He turned upon them furiously, and, with a threatening gesture, told them “ they should one and all suffer for their insolence,” and resuming his way, soon got out of sight. “And that man,” murmured Eveline, in an under- tone, “is my father.” | Only Rainstone overheard her, and his heart was moved to pity for the girl. She assuredly felt the matter keenly. f ai i “i 2 4 Aas a Pe, } . oe ‘ v lam Bab deo “ HIS EGWESY. 149 Mr. Farrell, on his return to the school, further belied himself by giving the alarm that there was a murderous stranger on the island. This information he imparted to Jim Gordon, on whom he had more than once been compelled in the hour of danger to rely. Jim cared nothing for the fears of Mr. Farrell, but he was deeply concerned when he heard the whole truth, with a few additions as to his own eool demeanour in the hour of. peril from the school- master. “T assure you, Gordon,” he said, “that it was my unmoved iémeanour alone that induced the fellow te fly.” Jim made no response, but seeing the party return- ing, he hastened towards them. Mrs. Farrell received him with effusion, and taking his arm, implored him to take measures for all to get away from the island. “Tt is no use appealing to Mr. Farrell,” she said, “he has quite lost his head. He ranaway the moment my life was threatened.” “Gordon knows what papa is,” said Eveline, quietly. “Do not add to our pain and shame by talking about it.” 7 think it will be well if we can get away from the island,” said Jim, thoughtfully, “ but for a day or two I do not see how it can be done.” Eveline looked at him, and saw that by “a day or two” he meant something indefinite. It might be days, or weeks, or months ere they could hope to be abie to leave the island, and it might be—never. That was the gravity of the position as he was obliged to © view it, and Eveline read it as plainly on his face as if he had uttered the words aloud. In sober truth there was a prospective renewal of the old trouble. The relatives of the men who had fallen on the island were on the path of vengeance- It was hardly possible that this one man could ky alone; the boldness of the attempt on the life of Mrs. Farrell pointed to others being somewhere in the vicinity of the vineyard. A true Spaniard may attempt assassination single- handed, but never in daylight. He believes in dark- ness as a cover. Morse and some of the boys—among them, Lat Brodie, Ganthony, and Whiffer—had been for a stroll with Charley, the bear, and on their return they heard the story from Jim’s lips. It created a profound im- pression upon all. ‘“‘T saw several feluccas cruising about,” Morse said, “and wondered if they were of any concern to us. I fancy now that they are waiting a quiet chance of landing men, or, having done so, are hovering about, pending the result of their coming here.” “T don’t quite understand you,” said Jim. “T mean,” explained Morse, “that the probability is that, having landed a number of men—the feluccas (@( 0) (@{ 0) aa Cc 900 ES