The Island School — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

AFTER THE BATTLE WAS OVER. Then, as the smoke died away and the hubbub ceased, it was seen that two of the boys were stretched on the ground and seven Spaniards tumbled in a heap. An eighth was still in the grasp of Charley, whe finally dropped him and quietly assumed a recum- bent position. — A ninth man had entered the fort, and he turned tail and bolted. As he rushed down the path his foot trod upon the spring of the mine, which, strange to say, had not been touched by the main body as they rushed up. Immediately a fountain of fire and smoke shot into the air, accompanied by a report that deafened every- ‘body for a few moments. ‘ The man himself was thrown high in the air, and he was seen to turn over and over, and finally shoot down like a rocket-stick among the trees below. A moment after Morse quietly leaped over the edge of the Roman Camp and calmly drew a peg from the ground. “It won't be wanted to-day,’ he muttered, and lifting a cut turf from the ground, took out a small tin canister, which he carefully placed in his pocket. CHAPTER CVIII. AFTER THE BATTLE WAS OVER. HE fight was over and the victory won, in the fort. His men were dead or dying, or flying they knew not whither for their lives. Breathlessly Jim Gordon leant against the fort embrasure, gazing on the terrible scene. To ‘him came Morse to comfortand rally him. The boys from the ramparts were struggling to get down first to the ground below and give the heroes of that brief but awful fight for yonnesuers to participate in, a cheer. They left bahia them a girl lying senseless upon the ground. Overcome by her emotions, Eveline had fainted. Obeying a shout from Morse, Martin had opened he gate, and there was a great pouring out of eager men and boys. The scene was one that would be in- delibly imprinted on their memories while life lasted. First thoughts were given to the two boys who had fallen. They were wounded with knives, and their Reonardo lay lifeless 199 names were Rainstone and Felton. Both were stabbed in the breast. Jim had rallied by this time, and he took the former in his arms, while Morse supported the latter. Martin quickly removed their upper clothing and examined their wounds. “ Dangerous perhaps,” he said, “ but not necessarily fatal. Get two beds ready in a room, and I will bring them along. I am experienced in carrying the wounded.” Rainstone opened his eyes and said, feebly: Tm all right. How’s the kick-up gone ?” ‘“ We’ve beaten them easily,” replied Jim. **T'm glad of that,” rejoined Rainspone, and closed } his eyes again. Felton remained unconscious, and was eventually borne away to the bed prepared for him in that con- dition. Eveline recovered, and had come down from the ramparts by that time, and quietly offered to assist Jim and Martin in making the wounded young- sters comfortable. Morse remained in the fort to see if he could nett the Spaniards, but those who still breathed appeared. to be past all human aid. Most of them had received bullet-wounds, and one was stunned with a crushing blow from the butt-end ofa rifle. All quickly passed away. Then there were the dead to see to, and they lay about to the number of fifteen, besides their chief. Half of them met their fate from the two small cannon, and several were fairly riddled with missiles. | Mr. Farrell was in hiding somewhere, and Mrs. Farrell was engaged in giving help to the wounded boys in the castle. Morse had the entire outside work to superintend. “We shall never need the Redan any more,” he said,‘ we will turn it ito a graveyard for the dead.” They laid the fallen men reverently in a row, and left them while they went into the castle and rested and refreshed themselves. All had need of some warm coffee or a stimulating drink, which Macbeth and Hamlet, still in a shaky condition, were pre- paring. a It was scarcely necessary to close the gates again, but Morse thought it ought to be done. As the boys stood in the hall drinking their coffee, talking over the dramatic events of the morning, a clamouring was heard at the gate. Morse went to see who it was, before opening. “Who is there ?” he asked. “Tt is L—a woman—Lucia di Valo,” was the reply. “ What do you want ?” “My Reonardo.” and challenged (G0) aa) (@ 900 ES ( @ @ )