United States or Namibia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
More than that, Shanks, of the Fifth, had whispered in the ear of one or two bosom friends, and thus into the ear of all Swishford, that he was going into "swallows" this winter, and he had got down a book from town with instructions for self-measurement, and was mysteriously closeted in his own study every other evening with a tape.
Gayford, with the sheet in his hand, and a careful watch on the sail, could easily delude himself into fancying the coast-line of the Long Stork was the veritable shore of New Swishford. "Isn't it prime, old man," said he, "and won't it be primer still when the real time comes? I never guessed it would be so easy. Not a thing's gone wrong."
As silently as possible the great lock was turned and the bolts drawn, and next moment the adventurers, with their boots in one hand and their brown-paper parcels in the other, stood under the stars. "Now stick your boots on sharp and step out," said Bowler. The order was promptly obeyed, and the dim gables of Swishford soon vanished behind them as they sped along the cliffs towards Sound Bay.
"They're sure to see us or find us out in a day or two," said Bowler. "A day or two!" exclaimed Wallas; "do you really mean we've got to stay here without food or shelter a day or two? I wish your New Swishford was in the middle of the sea." "So it is," dryly observed Bowler. "Fine fools you've made of us with your humbug and child's play," growled the other.
Once out in the open they would be able to hoist sail, and without the exertion of rowing make a straight track for the Long Stork much indeed as would be the case when, with a southerly wind at their backs, they would before long plough the ocean from Sinnamary to New Swishford.
How they longed to be back under the roof of old Swishford, and to hear the cheery bell summoning the boys to tea, and how gratefully now would they have welcomed the wholesome plenty of that often abused meal! Alas! there were no cups of tea, or eggs, or bread-and-butter going on the Long Stork.
The town holiday was an absolutely free day for the Swishford boys. There was no call-over in the morning, and, indeed, until the evening at eight o'clock they were their own masters. Most of the boys availed themselves of their liberty by lying in bed an hour later than usual on the November morning, a practice which greatly favoured our heroes in their design of escaping a little before dawn.
Of course, we shall have to come back before six; but we must make believe we've landed there for good, and see how we manage. And, of course, if we get on there, we're bound to get on at New Swishford, for it's a far jollier place than the Long Stork." Bowler's proposition was hailed with acclamation.
"What shall we call our island?" asked Bowler dramatically, placing his finger on the map and looking round on his fellow-adventurers. There was a pause, and for a moment the founders of the new empire were wrapped in silent thought. At last Gayford said "I know just the thing." "What? What? What?" inquired three voices. "New Swishford."
His hearers were just in the humour to put their enthusiasm to the test, and the notion of a picnic on the Long Stork as a sort of full-dress rehearsal of the capture of New Swishford suited them exactly. They proceeded immediately to discuss ways and means, and found that by putting their pocket-moneys together they could raise the very respectable sum of forty-one shillings.