The Island School — page 374: what you’re looking at

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

A MEETING OF OLD. FRIENDS. himself with a few of the capers he generally ES when overcome pigs joy. ie cos old man,” said Jim, “i want you to help me up.” As 1£ he understood the beet ona wish, Charley - ceased to tumble and roll, and came up to Jim, who laid hold of his shaggy hide and pulled himself up to: a standing position. “That is better. Now help mealong.” Jim hardly dared give rein to his hopes,: but he felt sure that Charley was not thers alone. Together they went on, and Jim, ere they had travelled far, began in accepted parlance to “feel his feet.” He shifted the parcel of ammunition from his head, and carried it: under hisarm. His rifle wasin the hand that: rested on Charley’s shoulder. “Stop dere, whoeber you be!” It was the voice of Romeo, but Jim could not see him, for it was now very dark, All right,” replied Jim. ““Ho’ de Lor’ sake, amit Marse Gordon ?” Then from out of the sheltering shadow of the rocks there emerged several figures. Despite the darkness Jim knew them all—Macbeth, Hamlet, Changeling, and Sleery. He looked in vain for Hveline and her mother, and his heart grew faint with terror. If Changeling and Sleery had not been there he would not have thought so much about it, but what were they doing there without them? | “Tam a bit done up,” said Jim, when they began to ply him with questions. “There is a bottle of wine in my bag. I wish you would give me a little of it.” “Me do it,” muttered Romeo, as he thrust his hand into the bag. ‘Sakes, Marse Gordon, you mighty wet!” “T swam across the water at the top of the rocks yonder.” “Take a drop ob dis,” said Romeo, holding the flask to Jim’s lips. “ Datit. Good ole stuff! Me smell him.” Romeo had right through spoken in subdued tones, as if he feared being overheard. The wine did Jim good, and in a soft, yet clear voice he asked them if they had any shelter. “Such as itis, Mister Gordon,” replied Changeling. “It’s close handy.” It was nothing more than a hollow between two rocks. Sleery explained that they roofed it in, the opening at the top, with broad pieces of shingle. Poor as the place was, it was wonderfully warm, especially when Charley stretched himself down by the entrance. | ““ We calls him our blanket,” said Changeling, “ and was a-wondering where he had gone to when you and he, Mister Gordon, turned up together.” - “Now tell’ me all that has happened to you, ” _| Sleery. said | Jim, as he nibbled one of his biscuits. Being soaked nearly through with sea-water had not sensibly spoilt it. It was welcome to one in his condition. present he had, however, little real appetite. Sleery told him of having put. to sea with the ladies, and not meeting with a ship, they came ashore, as. they thought, for the mght; but as it was dark when. they landed, they could not Hee and choose ee ground. The consequence was that they ran upon a soma rock, close inshore, and stove the boatin. “ Knocked a hole in her as big as my head,” said Sleery. “ With- out tools and timber it is impossible to repair her.” “ And Mrs. Farrell?” inquired Jim, hesitatingly. “The ladies got wet. feet, but that was all,” said “We've made ’em a bit of a house out of the; boat turned topsy-turvy, and propped on a kind ‘0’ shingle-wall. With the rugs they are pretty comfort- able, and they haven’t wanted food, as the darkies brought along a big supply. But we’ve been mighty anxious, hearing the sounds of firing and blowing up.” ‘We have had a terrible time,” replied Jim, “ and it is not yetover. But tell me by what lucky chance Romeo and his friends turned up here.” “You see it dis way, Marse Gordon,” said Romeo. “Dat night when you tell us to cut-and run, we made for de lower ground, where we stop a bit to wait for you. Den after a lot of banging away, we see de rascals come tearing down, and we boun’ to clar out. So we went orf, and by-em-by come to nigh de spot which we spec you crossed to-night,” * Den we had a famler councillor,’ said Macbeth, “and me gib dem two boys ob mine de adwice to get ober, and lay close here until we see or hear from you.” *‘ Barrin’ dat you say nuffin’ ob de sort,’ said Romeo, “vou speak de trufe. It was me and Charley dat led off. Charley he came a-sniflin’ round us when. we left de castle, and he was wid us right trough, though showing a mighty power ob wishfulness to go back and gib some ob dem warmints more dan dey come for, Marse Gordon. It was Charley dat fust swum ober wif me on him back, and no sooner was he here dan he skedaddle off But knowing dere a poor chance ob losing him, me go back for de ole folks, and twixt us we all get here, and den we fine dat Charley found out Miss Eveline and missus and Marse Dibble’s fectionate aunst and siterer, which am Changeling and Sleery.” ! “T have a lot to tell you,” said Jim, ‘ but I fear to give the time to it now. Let me ask you a question. Are any of you conscious of your presence here being known to our enemies P” “1 see what you are driving at,” said Changeling, 3811, For the - excitedly. ‘There was a party on the rocks this arternoon, wasn’t there 2” ie acl Fd Co. aa) @ 700 ES (@(@) aa