United States or Finland ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He happened to be picked up by some travelling show, and, partly because he was nearly a dwarf, and partly because he was really a clever little wretch, he got on quite well in the show business, and was soon sent up to the Aquarium, to do some tricks that I forget. That was his first letter. His second was much more of a startler, and I only got it last week."
There was the usual morning parade in the fort, and the soldiers gardened, idled, smoked, and told one another it was "jolly hot" a fact that needed no telling. On board the "Startler" the men were beat to quarters, and went through their drill in the cool of the morning, before hammock rails, the sentries' rifles, and the breeches of the glistening guns grew too hot to be touched with impunity.
With it mingled another sound, not so easy to determine, followed by a loud yell and the noise of running feet. Now, out in the street the cry sounded: "There he goes! Get him!" "Throw him down and hold him!" yelled another voice. "Mercy!" gasped Mrs. Prescott. "Don't be alarmed, my dear," smiled Mr. Prescott. "It's only the natural aftermath of Tom Reade's newest startler." Was it?
All on board the "Startler" was the perfection of neatness, and from a friendly rivalry the residency and fort were as smart and neat; perhaps never did they look to greater perfection than on the day after the adventure of Bob Roberts and Tom Long.
It was a very busy time for all, and after the "Startler" had been made what Dick the sailor called snug that is to say, firmly anchored head to stream, for they were now far above the reach of the tide a strong party of the blue-jackets were landed upon the pleasantly umbrageous island, along with the soldiers; for this island was to be the site of the residency, and it proved to have four good-sized buildings amidst the trees, which had been roughly prepared by Sultan Hamet's orders.
"Dad and Mother have got anchored at last. The journey must have been a startler. Paris is so full of Americans, it's like a little New York." "Why do you call it 'Parr-is'?" sniggered Sadie. "It's more like the French than your way of saying it, at any rate," retorted Diana smartly. "This letter's been four days in coming through." "You might give me the stamp." "Certainly not.
"There's the `Startler' a-talking to one, sir," cried Dick, forgetting discipline in his excitement, as the boom of a big gun not very far-off met their ears. "There she goes again, sir," he continued, as there was another shot, and another, and another, all showing that the captain had heard the firing and been prepared.
Again came the report of a gun, and the shell burst where the Malays were thickest, sending them scurrying like wild rabbits to the nearest cover, while the steamer now glided slowly down, closer and closer in shore, till at last she covered the river-face of the fort like an outwork, and a cheer rose from the little garrison, and was answered from the "Startler" as the forces, so to speak, combined, ready to act together for their mutual defence.
"We must try to beat them off, Bob," I said, ignoring his remark. "Nay, not try do it, sir; and you, being skipper, of course 'll give 'em a startler to show 'em what's waiting for 'em, if they try to board again." "What do you mean, Bob?" I cried.
At the residency all went on as usual; sometimes the ladies received, and there was the sound of music and singing in the pleasantly lit-up verandah; sometimes Captain Horton sent his gig, and the agreeable little reunions were held on board the "Startler," in an improvised tent, draped with the ship's colours, while the lights were reflected on the smooth surface of the hurrying stream, and the Malays on shore watched the figures that passed to and fro till the party was over.
Word Of The Day