United States or Luxembourg ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"And where is he now?" "Nobody knows, but theer's them as says they see 'im makin' for Sefton Woods." Hereupon, breakfast done, I rose, and took my hat. "Wheer away, Peter?" "To the forge; there is much work to be done, Ancient." "But Jarge bean't theer to 'elp ye." "Yet the work remains, Ancient." "Why then, if you 'm goin', I'll go wi' ye, Peter." So we presently set out together.
"Why don't 'ee stir theeself and hunt for un, Jarge?" panted one that stood near me, twisting hysterically upon a slow youth at her side. "Shut up, 'Liza!" he answered gruffly; then, with a sort of indrawn gasp "Look art the wall, lass look art the wall!" It was obvious to the least knowing what he meant.
We had gone but a short distance when I overheard Private Clary, one of the mounted men, who was riding near me, say to Private Hoey beside him. "D'ye moind the cut uv thim chaps' hair, Jarge?" "Indade I do that, Tom," replied George. "Thim's no Navihos!" "Not a bit uv it. I'd as soon expict to see one in currls!"
It was a lovely day, and the programme was duly carried out. Next morning I found Jarge and another man, who had been detailed for the day's work to sow nitrate of soda on a distant wheat-field, sitting peacefully under the hedge; they told me that the excitement and the climb had completely tired them out, but that they would stop and complete the job, no matter how late at night that might be.
I sees it, Jarge, says I. 'An' d'ye see this un? says 'e, 'oldin' up another as like the first as one pea to its fellow. 'Ah! I sees that un too, Jarge, says I. 'Well, says Jarge, 'one's for 'im an' one's for me 'e can take 'is chice, 'e says, 'an' when we do meet, it's a-goin' to be one or t' other of us, 'e says, an' wot's more 'e looked it!
A whistle cut the stillness like a knife. There was a hoarse rumble seaward that broke into a deafening roar, and was succeeded by a sound like the bursting of a dam. The car rocked with the concussion, and the fragments of the shattered wind-screen tinkled down over the bonnet and footboard. Then utter, absolute silence. Ole Jarge put down the baler and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
Black George's pipe shivered to fragments on the floor, and as he leaned forward I saw that his great hands were tightly clenched. "Gaffer," said he, in a strangled voice, "what do 'ee mean?" "I means what I says, Jarge." "How do 'ee know?" "Bean't I the lass's gran'feyther?" "Be ye sure, Gaffer quite sure?"
Ole Jarge nodded. "S'pose us was to hammer 'n out flat like an' nail un down to bottom, 'long wi' oakum an' drop o' white lead what du 'ee say?" Ole Jarge silently measured the area of the sprunk strakes with the stumpy thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand.
"Why, you bean't workin' 's arternoon then, Job?" he inquired solemnly. "Noa!" "Goin' to tak' a 'olleyday, p'r'aps?" "Ah! I'm done wi' smithin' leastways, for Black Jarge." "And him wi' all that raft o' work in, Job? Pretty fix 'e'll be in wi' no one to strike for 'im!" said Simon. "Sarves un right tu!" retorted Job, furtively rubbing his left knee.
"Do you mean that George is taken a prisoner?" The Ancient nodded, and inhaled his pinch of snuff with much evident relish. "It be gert noos, bean't it, Peter?" "What have they done with him? Where is he, Ancient?" But, before the old man could answer, Simon appeared. "Ah, Peter!" said he, shaking his head, "the Gaffer's been tellin' ye 'ow they've took Jarge for poachin', I suppose "
Word Of The Day