The Island School — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

aye VHE DEAD CITY. ni Startled, they stared at each other. Morse was the first to recover himself. “Don’t be alarmed, boys,” he said, “ there is nothing in it. it will blow them open again. The catch doesn’t hold. Now, see here, the hinge has a ball at the bottom which is full of oil. They arrange for the working of weathercocks in the same fashion. It is a lasting oil and it cannot escape, so it helps to keep the thing in working order for an incredible time.” “ But still it was a coincidence,” said Terry. ‘There is nothing in coincidences,” replied Morse. “See, now, the wind has shifted a bit, and the gates begin to swing back again. Don’t let us be children. It is nothing. Out you go!” He walked out boldly, and they followed him, Whether it was the wind or what it was they could not tell, but the fact remained, the gates again immediately closed. “Blow it!” muttered Felton, say what you like.” “T don’t see Romeo about,” said Morse, ignoring the remark of Felton. ‘‘ He’s in the tent, snoozing,” said Jim. ‘ Suppose, by way of creating a little diversion of feeling, we go up quietly and give him a scare? Here, I have it. Suppose we all rush into the tent and give a simul- taneous yell?” “ The very thing,” they said. Anything was welcome as a diversion that would shake off the strange feeling of oppression created by the contemplation of the deserted city. The tent was only a short distance off, and laying down their arms, which they had carried throughout their visit to the city, they stole up near to the open- ing of the tent and listened. Yes, Romeo was within, and asleep, too, for they could hear him snoring. “Now, all together,” said Jim, as he plunged for- ward. But only, on getting a peep into the tent, to spring back again. * Run,” he eried, “ get your rifles. Quick!” “Good heavens!” exclaimed Morse, as they all dashed back for their weapons. ‘ What is the matter “but it 27s uncanny, now 2” “That bear we saw in the wood ts inside the tent !” answered Jim. “Come, none of yourdouble-extra jokes,” said Terry. “It is a fact,” said Jim, as he picked up his rifle and examined it; “the brute is lying down beside Romeo with its pono lolling out.” ‘““Why doesn’t it attack him ?” asked acer “It is the royal disposition of the beast to prey on nothing that doth seem as dead,” answered Jim. “'That’s Shakespeare ; and now I am sure you are joking with us.” / uy Po Bho ee Tad . The wind is rising and has blown them to, as. “No, indeed,” asserted Jim, fervently. “The bit of Shakespeare popped out without my thinking. The brute is there. I saw him, leathern collar, chain, and all.” “Are you sure,” asked Felton, with a shiver, “‘ that you did not fancy it? We have all been and got the hump, and people who are a bit——” * Touched in the head.” “Well, I wasn’t going to say that, Jim, but it can stand. They fancy they see all sorts of things.” “Go and look for yourself,” said Jim; “but don’t shoot. We are more likely to do for Romeo than the brute. I wonder if I can lure him out? Suppose I draw Bruin, and you all let fly into him ?” They promised to do so, and took up a convenient position for the purpose. Jim went to a short dis- tance from the mouth of the tent and again peered in. To his most profound astonishment he saw that Romeo was awake, sitting up with a petrified expres- sion of face, for which he may be forgiven. The bear, so far from attacking him, was engaged in acts indicative of playfulness, and wound up by his tenderly licking the hand of Romeo. The truth flashed on Jim. The bear was as tame as a tabby-cat, and he called out to his friends not to shoot. Then he went up to the tent and spoke to Romeo, telling him not to be afraid, for the bear would never harm him. The animal turned its head and looked at him critically. Then, probably making up its mind to be on friendly terms with him, it lolled out its great tongue, and seemed to grin. “Massa Gordon, what am dis?” asked Romeo, breathlessly. “Tt is a tame bear, escaped from somebody or somewhere,” answered Jim, “and I do not think you need be afraid of it.” “ Golly !” exclaimed Romeo, as he slowly rose up ; “but I rader hab nuthin’ to do with him.” The bear rubbed its cold nose against his chest, and Romeo, gathering courage, patted the beast upon. its head. Thereupon it stood erect and folded him in its huge paws. The look on Romeo's face at that moment was a thing to be remembered. Mortal fear, doubt, and a sense of his being somehow a hero, all combined to make his face one of the strange pictures of life. Jim laughed, in spite of the fears he had that the bear would suddenly give Romeo a hug and deprive him of his breath for good and all. The other boys creptup, and peering in, gazed upon the astounding scene. Having tenderly hugged Romeo for a minute or so, Bruin let him go, and sank down on all-fours again. COoOmMmIcboo CS co