The Island School — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

e Pe ee ee ee ee Z ; i t it NOCTURNAL EXCITEMENT. 24% CHAPTER CXXXIII. “NOCTUBNAL EXCITEMENT.—MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY. T beats all the fire- works ever seen,” said Terry. He made this remark to Dawson as they hastened into the castle after the last bit of work done by Morse. The interior of the castle was now lke a fair. Hverybody was “up, ae ae had performed what may be con- sidered a complete toilet. Among other remarkable exhibitions of dishevel- ment was that of Miss Hlegantine Dibble, who not only had her clothes on asif she had rolled into them, but had. fixed her false front on the hind part ‘before. Morse and Jim held a short, quick conference. “Safe from the cannon for days,” said Morse, “that is a dead-sure thing. But of other forms of attack I won’t be cocksure. Somebody must remain on the ramparts to-night, and as I am for once rather excited, I think it had better be me.” ‘T will keep you company,” said Jim; “sleep and I have parted company for some hours.” ‘Say a few words to this noisy lot,” said Morse. They were in the hall, which was crowded with all talkers and no listeners. Next to the two leading heroes and Martin, the eight sharpshooters came in for a full share of popularity. Jim jumped upon the nearest chair, and those nearest to him ealled aloud for order. In a minute complete silence was obtained. “I merely wished to say,” began Jim, “that there is no need for any of you to remain up. Morse and mayself are going to keep watch, and we do not think there is anything to fear. Of course you can do as you please.” He looked round as he was speaking in search of Hveline, whom he had not noticed since he came into the hall. She was standing by her mother near the fireplace, both in a wide-eyed state of astonishment. Indeed, to many there the whole thing had the elements of a dream. “You have not explained why you have been blowing up half the island,” remarked Miss Elegantine. i fle foes below have two cannons,” answered Jim, “ which they no doubt intended to haul up here, so that the gates of the castle might be battered in. Morse has made the path inaccessible,” ~ - a ; Tat TP INRE See “Good old Morse!” cried Felton, and then the whole of the boys burst out singing : ** For he’s a jolly good fellow, And so say all of us. With a hip, hip, hip, hurrah!’ ‘ete When the sounds ceased Miss Elegantine had another question to ask. ‘IT wish to know,” she said, “if there is any more of that extra powerful powder about ?” Jim looked at Morse, who shook his head. “There is no more about,” said Jim, aloud. — “Tam thankful for that,” said Miss Elegantine; “for if I knew there was an ounce of it within a mile of me I could not sleep a wink.” : “But I could mix two pounds of it in ten minutes,” muttered Morse, just loud enough for Jim to hear. “Tcannot but admire you boys,” pursued Miss Hlegantine. ‘ But if I had for a moment dreamt of the way you go on here I should have stayed at home.” ‘Don’t you wish you had dropped the old lady a line ?” asked Terry, jogging the elbow of Dibble, who was among the dumbfounded ones of the night. “T would have written all I know, and a little more,’ replied Dibble. Jim and Morse departed, but there was no move- ment towards the bedrooms. Mr. Farrell, who stood near his wife, occasionally clutching his hair, as if he wanted to get it up by the roots asa relief to his feelings, remained with the rest. Macbeth and Hamlet, having found out that Romeo had some share in the night’s work, were plying him with questions, and he was giving them answers which implied that he had been one of the chief, if not the chief actor of the night. “You bet your larse dollar on dis,” he said; “if you got not’ing else to be proud ob, you got me.” There was Charley, the bear, too, who’ for once in a way seemed to have hada shaking, for he wandered rather helplessly about the hall, occasionally going through one of his tricks without any regard to the fact that he had no audience.. Finally, in a state of helpless wonderment, he lay down at the feet of Eveline, and sought refuge from distracted thought in sleep. Charley was a terror to Miss Elegantine, who could not understand anyone trusting a bear about without a muzzle and a cage as well. She was sure that one day he would go to work and make a meal of some- body—probably herself. As for the boys, they made a holiday of it, just as some children do at home when they are now and then called up very early to have breakfas’ by candlelight. Mrs. Farrell said they could have some coffee and bread-and-butter if they chose, and they spread the board with the assistance of Romeo. It was very com Cc 00 ES (@{ 0) mn