The Island School — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

152 THE “Unfortunately,” he said, “the arms we ought to have had here are in the castle. There is no time to obtain them, and a general upward movement would, at present, bring the enemy upon us. The only thing that can be done is to arm yourselves with such weapons as the house and workshops afford, and, when night comes on, barricade the doors. Morse and . myself, who will go out as scouts, will give you a timely notice of the approach of the foe.” “Gordon,” said Mr. Storeby, “ Mr. Farrell ought to be consulted, and he may devise some mode of action that will ensure our safety.” “You may consult him, if you care to,’ replied Jim, ‘but I know him too. well to think that he will be of any assistance. J must now have a word with the men.” As he crossed over to them, Mr. Storeby had a few hasty words with Mr. Turner, and the pair hurried from the room. They had a faint hope Mr. Farrell might serve them, and were bent on interviewing him. The result of their mission will presently be seen. Martin, Truebury, Sleery, Pastern, Waffle, and ‘Changeling were standing ready to hear what Jim had to say. Chorker kept his seat with a hand over his mouth to hide his quivering lips. “Get all the things that will serve us means of ‘defence from the workshops, and bring them here. Iron bars, tools of your trades, anything that will be of help. They may not be wanted, but, in any case, they will be safer here.” He told them, as he had informed the wunder- masters, that he and Morse would be out as scouts, and he furthermore said that the men were in hiding in some scrub growing among the rocks half-way on the road to the vineyard. “They were gathering when I went to the castle, and i waited until I could see by their demeanour that all had assembled. It is certain that their object is to attack us to-night.” “We haven’t more than an hour,” ** before it will be getting dark.” “It is enough,” returned Jim, “if you make good use of the time.” He left them, and went back to the boys, who had remained in the room. He cast a quick glance over them, and was glad to see that they all looked resolute, and were wonderfully composed. “You will have to be divided into parties,” he said, *so as to defend different portions of the house against possible attack. Your better way will be to think as soldiers do, that al/ depends on the way you do your especial duty.” He then divided them into groups, making eight in all, and each commanded by one of the remaining members of the Council of Ten. said Martin, : bd OM a8 Te ‘ rT 7 r) r iy it if ’ oe ISLAND SCHOOL. By the time he had done this, Martin and the men, Chorker excepted, were bringng in all sorts of things that might serve as a means of defence. There were iron bars, hammers of various sizes, big chisels, and other carpenter’s tools, stout cudgels, and even the awls and other things used by the ee makers. They were thrown upon the floor, and each boy was allowed to select the weapon he thought he could handle best. While Jim was superintending this work Romeo came in with a slip of paper in his hand. He handed | it to Jim, saying, ‘‘ From Marse Morse.” “ Where is he?” asked Jim, hurriedly. “Gone out, sar.” Jim opened the paper, and, casting his eye over it, read with something akin to dismay : ‘“¢ Have gone to the castle. Want something from it par- ticularly. Wait for me hy Uharley’s house, but don’t let the animal out until you see me.’ “ Awfully risky,” muttered Jim; “but I must give him credit for knowing what he is about.” Then he went on with his work, counselling the boys how to act, and giving special directions to those appointed to act as their leaders. Knowing the weak points in the house, he recommended an inme- diate barricading of the scullery window and other places at the back. In the front the windows were better protected. “Nap’s iron bars,” he said, “ will serve us after all. We may thank him for having them fixed, although I never thought I should have to do so by choice.” The divided bodies marched off to their respective destinations, and Jim then addressed the men, who were waiting for instructions. “ Your place,” he said, ‘‘ will be in the hall by the front door. As soon as I am gone, you will not allow anyone to go out or come in without hearing from me. This order will hola good until eleven o'clock. If I am not back by that time, you may reckon I am in trouble, and you, Martin, will be in command. Do what you think is right, according to your judgment, to save Mrs. and”—he paused a moment—“ Miss Farrell. As a last resource, if you could get them to a boat, and away to sea, it would be something. Better be drowned there than fall into the hands of the ruffians I have seen to-day. The boys’’—he stopped again—“ will, I fear, have to look after them- selves. But they might do worse, and if as many of them as can will get away and adopt the same expe- dient, poet is a possibility of their being picked up at sea.’ His face was illumined with the light of the heroism that, in the old days of sieges and forlorn hopes, was to be seen on the faces of those who led the van in the attack upon the battlements of the foe, and whose aa) ( S 900 (E @) S (et @ )