The Island School — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

HELP FROM A MOST UNEXPECTED QUARTER. party broke cover and came tearing down upon the little breastwork. hitek ‘¢ All over, I fear,” thought Jim. But as the maddening thought passed through his mind the sharp report of rifles was heard from the summit of the rocks, and a ringing cheer followed. A glance upwards showed to the delighted Jima swarm of his castle friends, with Romeo in their midst. He made out Morse acting as leader. . The first volley laid some of the enemy low, and the air resounded with the cries of the wounded. To remain in the open with so many guns bearing upon them was impossible, and the rest retreated close to the rocks. But the hiding there was very poor. They were still under the fire of the exultant defenders of the breastwork. Lucia, with the remnant of her men, dashed past and joined Vamos. With him she held a hurried conversation, and in a body they retreated towards the mouth of thelagoon. It was not insight at that-spot, being round a turn in the beach. Jim guessed the purport ®f the movement. He saw all that had transpired since Romeo left, as in a single picture, so vivid was his mental vision under the influence of excitement. Romeo had got away with the boats, reached the castle, and brought back the party of rescue. They crossed the lagoon in the boats which were now moored on the opposite side of the rocks. Lucia di Valo had also taken in everything with a thought, and the purport of the movement was to get | round, seize the boats, and practically imprison the ° whole of the boys upon the strip of beach. By posting half a dozen men on the other side of the water crossed by Jim, the way of retreat would be barred. The remainder of the enemy could then go on to the castle, take it easily with its handful of defenders, destroy them, and return. Before they were out of sight, Jim understood it all, and hastily calling upon Sleery and Changeling to remain with the women, he leapt over the stone wall and ran to meet his friends. They saw him coming, and a shout went up that rent the air like a clap of thunder. He motioned to them to remain where they were, and, leaping with frenzied haste, was soon beside Morse. “The boats!” he said; “look to them.” “They are all right—drawn up on the shore,” re- plied Morse. “‘ The foe are after them f’ shouted Jim; “ we must cut them off. Keep along the ridge so as to intercept them in case they should double back.” It was a rugged way that necessitated much climb- ing up and jumping down, but the boys were as active as mountain goats, and in five minutes they sighted Lucia di Valo and‘her followers again. olf CHAPTER CLXAIV. HELP FROM A MOST UNEXPECTED QUARTER. HE remnant of the enemy was closely huddled together and looking about in a bewildered manner. The cause of this sudden stoppage was not. at the time apparent, A but the rattle of = small-arms from the direction = Kp eee of the lagoon gave an un- looked-for clue to it. “Who on earth can it be ?” exclaimed Morse. “‘ Let us get along and see,” was Jim’s reply. They bounded on, with the rest at their heels, and in a moment or two came in sight of those who had unexpectedly come to their further aid. To the astonishment of all, the new-comers were mostly of the same type, as to dress, as their enemies, but there were two or three in the good oki British nautical attire. They were in a big lateen boat, close inshore, and two of their number were propelling it to the land with their oars. The rest, about half a score, were standing up, loading and firing with all the rapidity they could command. Jim’s naturally quick eye saw the position, and how he could take advantage of it. “Down, boys, to the beach!” he cried; “ don’t let them retreat this way. Remember those we have had to leave behind us.” The boys poured down, and quickly ranged them- selves in a line just as Lucia’s followers turned tail. Lucia herself lay upon the sands apparently dead. “Give them a volley !” said Jim. The terrified men in retreat were half blind. They saw nobody in front of them, and the first intimation they had of danger in the rear was conveyed to them by powder and shot. So effective was the fire that only three remained upon their feet, and they cast down their arms, howling for mercy. “The fight is over!” shouted Jim; “the day is ours. Here come our friends.” He recognised the foremost. It was Giuseppo, the smuggler, whose life had been spared, as recorded in an earlier stage of our story. The bread of mercy cast upon the waters had returned to the boys after many days. “Senor,” he cried, “let me take charge of those men.” “Do what you will with them,” replied Jim, “and thank you for your timely coming.” oo C. dee (i © | -§ t are f R — rm > a mma oa oe Ww, ; 4 ‘eS . é : ; 4 Nall: vag rt q ] a 2 wis a Te a ae “4 a, p> . ea tS . ——— a ——e = = =; ere E . = - = = —_—_— - == = —~—G ‘S (@( 0) aa Cc 900 - es (@{ @) N }