Jack and His Seven Foes — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

“+ JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. three times and lounged about—uneasy in mind, unhappy at heart ; but he could see nothing to give him warning of the dread nicht to come. The five honest seamen thoughtlessly whiled the hours away with chat and laughter, and such games as they could slay. _ While the seven knaves lounged and skulked, and smoked and slept. No warning—not a look or a sound; but Bob could not shake off the dread feeling that was upon him. When the sun was approaching the west, he went to the captain’s cabin again. He found him and his two sons having tea, cheerfully talking together. ‘““ Bob,” said the captain, ‘‘ you come hke a black shadow. What a face you have!” ““Cap’en, I’m oneasy. I ‘admit it may seem weak, but I can’t help it. Have the lockers of these men well searehed. . ‘* Have they thr eatened anything fur- 2 her ** No, cap.en.”’ ‘‘Nor said or done anything?” “ Nothing, cap’en.” “Then I don’t see why we should trouble them, Bob. Stuck fast in the st of calm, we naturally get gloomy. How’s the barometer ? ” ‘* High as ever, capen.” ‘Then we are right at present. Have some tea, Bob!” Jack poured out a cup and he sat down. Pouring his tea into the saucer, he blew hard at 1t for a minute, then | swallowed it all at a gulp, asifit had peen an oyster. 3 ad > “Have a drop of rum in it,” said Willie, laughing ; “it doesnt seem to cheer you.” ky) fad,” said the mate, sighing, | the sp eats in th rid w soldat I’m heavy here ’’—smiting Loe VW ae ks, retaken a cargo at dead sath half-hour’s day- a LL T | aati “No, thanky, cap’en; but Vl not come on deck at present.” The father and two sons went on deck—a handsome. trio; and if there had been such a thing as pity in the hearts of the seven villains, it would have found ex <pression then. Leaning on Jack’s arm, and leading Willie by “the hand, Captain Boldheart walked up and down, all his fears and doubts at rest happy i in the society of the only two things left in the worid for him to love. The sun went down and the stars came out, and they were walking still. “Tt was on such a night as this, dear boys,” he said, looking up at the jewelled heavens, ‘ that your mother died. ‘f am sorry to go, Dan,’ she said; ‘but I know that you will love my children and be kind to them, and that they will love you!’” | Willie laid his cheek against his arm, and Jack brushed a tear from his eye. ‘A father so good and kind,” he said, “would be loved by any son. We have tried to give you some return for your devotion to us. “You have done it,’ answered the proud father, as he pressed Jack’s arm and stroked Willie’s golden locks. “I would not exchange my lot with any living man!” “What sound is that?” asked Willie, raising his head. of Quiet for a moment, gear lads,” aia the captain. They all stood still ; re sure enough, far away below the horizon, apparenily there was a strange moaning sound. ‘“ Ttis like a may for the dead !? Ville, carat “It 1s only the howell of-the coming wind,’ replied his father, calmly. “We shall have a breeze before morning. It s time you turned in, dear boys. Good- nic cht! ! i) He shook Jack by the hand and lightly touched Wilhe’s forehead with his lips. Then they parted, and the boys tripped lightly below ; never—oh! said hicht,”’ said the eee rising. ‘‘ Come, in never to look upon their eee again 10. boys, it 1s sett ing cooler ; let us take a | the pride of his manhood’s beauty and walk on deck. Have some more tea, | strength; never to hear his tender voice Bob? ” a again ! CORnICGLOOlKS Co