The Island Bride — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

\ 30 CAST AWAY. interrupted Harmon “Away to the raft this instant, you hounds!” he added, advancing, “ your time is up! Away, I say |”. Wilkes turned sullenly, and, followed by his two comrades, moved to the beach. The three soon were upon the raft, pad- dling away from the shore. “ A fine pickle we are in now,” said Wilkes, turning to Clark. ‘Tf I'd only had my weapon—and it’s a mystery to me wha sun have become of it—we’d soon have settled that young lubler.” ‘The pistol in the hand of that ‘ young lubber,’” said Bill, turning aside his head to conceal a smile, “looked mighty like yours, as well as I could see in the dark.” “Ay,ay!’ cried Wilkes“ now you speak of it—that same idea crossed my mind, but I put it down at once, as it isn’t at all probable that—” “ Nonsense !” interrupted Clark. “He might have stolen in- to the hut easy enough while we were asleep and have taken it. It can make little difference, hows’ever,” he added, “ for, blast me, if I think the weapon in your hand would have done much good.” “ What do you mean ?” Wilkes angrily inquired. “I mean that, in spite of your logic about dying first as well as lust, you’re one of the biggest cowards that ever walked !” answered Clark. Wilkes dropped his paddle and drew his knife; but before he could use it the hand of the other was upon his throat, and his knee upon his breast. “ There!” he exclaimed, with a hoarse laugh, “ there you be in my power, and I’ve a strong temptation to take your life.” Me pulled his knife from its sheath as he spoke and lifted * 4 to deal the fatal blow, when his arm was grasped by Choke, “Told!” exclaimed the latter. “Remember the oath we made aboard the transport to keep together. Besides, what good will it do you to shed our comrade’s blood. “His arm ig needed to help us work the paddles.” With a sullen grunt, Clark let go his hold of the prostrate man, and sprung to his feet. “ Ay, ay, Bill,” said he, “ you're right: it isn’t worth While to take his life, after ail.” Comichbooksscom