CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9714, 9 January 1895, Page 3

CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

IN TROUBLOUS TIMES.

THE ADVENTURES OF TWO SCHOOLBOYS. [BY SIDNEY FRANCIS STEVENSON.] Chapter I.—-The Sneak's Threat.

The schoolhouse of Halfcon Manor lies some 15 miles oub of London. Ib stands in the midst of green fields, the property of several email farmers, who are worried nearly out of their lives by the escapades of the schoolboys. The schoolhouse is a substantial building, erected in the time of George the Third, at least so the principal asserted. That important personage was known to the boys as Dr. Martin, Being a stern man, he punished the boys strictly who did not adhere to the rules of the school. He was well assisted by the two under-mastors, Messrs. Birchem and Keepinn, who seconded him warmly in his work, indeed rather too warmly as the boys thought. Let us glance in the playground and see what is going on there. The boys are to be seen playing a spirited game at cricket. The bowler, a little fellow named Harton, happens with a swift left-hander to geb the big fellow ab the wickeb out. Going up to Harton he proceeds to give him a sound thrashing. This fellow is the dreaded bully and sneak of the school, by name John Davis. " Why can't you leave Harton alone, Davis ? He's done nothing to you ?" These words proceeded from a tall and good-looking youth of about 14 years of age. "Mind your own business, Fred Spence ; you're * always sneaking about me; besides, this whining cur deserves a licking." Fred's face flushed up instantly, "I won't stand by and see ib done. You're nearly twice the size he is, and as to me sneaking about you, I'm sure it's just the opposite." Davis looked very much enraged, clenching his fist, and made a great show of doing something, and, after all, slunk away muttering to himself, "I'll be even with you yet, Fred Spence, and then look out for yourself." Chapter ll.—The Sneak's Rkvenge. It was about six o'clock, and the boys were seated in the common room doing their preparation exercise. The . master, Mr. Birchem, paced slowly up and down the room keeping order, and helped the boys with their lesson. Fred Spence sab on a form translating a passage from Virgil, and helping little Harton, who sat beside him, when the door opened with a crash, and Dr. Martin stalked into the room, cane in hand. Taking his stand ab the desk, he beckoned Davis, Spence, and Harton up to him. " I have information from Davis that) you provoked him to fight this afternoon," began the Doctor. Spence's face flushed up, and he gave a glance of contempt at Davis, which made the bully quail, and, turning to the Doctor, he told him the true incidents of the tale, but the master chose to believe Davis' lying version of the affair. " You and Harton shall have two days in the attio on bread and water," said the Doctor.

Spence and Harton were then conveyed to a small attic at the top of the schoolhouse, and a loaf of bread and pitcher were left for their meal, and then the porter withdrew after locking the door securely. Chapter lll.—Running Away. ' Spence and Harton, on being left to themselves, took a good view of their situation. A small window in their prison overlooked the playground, but it was securely guarded by two strong iron bars placed crosswise. The first thing the boys thought of was to escape from their prison and run away from the school. After making a scanty meal, the lads set to work to break the iron bar. Luckily, Harton had a small file in his pocket-knife, and, after a long and tedious job, the bars were filed asunder. Spence made the bread up in a bundle, and waited till it gob dark to make their escape. A strong rope was found in the cupboard, and the boys lowered themselves to the ground. As it happened, Davis was walking in the playground, and on seeing our heroes he raised a shout. The next moment a blow from Spence's fist sent him reeling across the playground. Mr. Birchem, hearing Davis' cry, came rushing out, and, seeing our heroes, he gave chase, but was no match for the fugitives, who left him puffing and blowing in the rear. Harton and Spenco ran on, fearful of being overtaken. After going on for about threequarters of a mile they crept under a hedge, and speedily devoured the bread they had brought with them. Then, wrapping their overcoats round them, they sought rest in sleep. Chapter IV.—A Good-natcred Waggoner. The sun was just rising when our adventurers awoke, feeling very stiff and sore after being exposed to the night air. They first proceeded to count out their stock of money, which amounted in all to £2 ss, of which Spence contributed £1 15s, and Harton the remainder. Our heroes then proceeded to the village of Harthorpe, and, going into a pastrycook's, ordered two cups of coffee and slices of cake. After paying the modest sum of 8d they proceeded on their journey, and meeting a wdggoner with his cart, they asked him for a lift. The man eyed them up and down, and then said, "'E be a running from school, my lads, and Oi ought to take 'e back." Frank told him the whole story, and threw himself on the countryman's mercy. After demurring for some time, he said, " Well, Oi don't mind holping 'e, only don't 'e take up too much room in the old cart." The boys were only too happy to get in on any terms, and soon stowed themselves away in a corner, jammed in between two cases. The waggoner then cracked his whip, and the clumsy old vehicle rumbled and jolted;over the stony . ground, giving the boys ; such a shaking as they .never experienced before. They were peeping out from behind the cases when a horseman was'ge'en ing up at full epeed. One look was enough for the boys, as they saw in him Mr. Keepinn. He did not see the boys, but riding up to the driver, said, " Have you seen two schoolboys about this way?" " Get away," shouted the waggoner. " Oi'll lay my whip about 'e, frighting the mare with 'e ugly face." The master scowled, and looked as though he'd punish the waggoner, but thought better of it, and, to the reliof of the boys, rode away. Frank then went up to the rustic, and, after warmly thanking him, slipped the odd five shillings into his hand. "'E be a darned good fellow," said the delighted waggoner as he shook bands with the lads and wished them luck. Our heVoes" made their way to the Sailor's Rest, where they procured a supper and bed for the night. They weije just dropping off to sleep when they heard voices in the adjoining room. " To-morrow-; I am about to journey to the West Coast off Africa for a cargo of ivory and ebony," This last was spoken in a hoarse whisper. Spence and Harton listened intently to this conversation, for they thought they might get a chance to ship in this vessel. "I wonder what he meant by ebony," said Harton. "Why, don'b you know that ebony is a wood ?" laughed Spence, for even he did nob know that " ebony" is the slang term for slaves. The conversation shortly ceased, and the boys soon dropped into a sound sleep.

Chapter V.—Booking A Passage. Early next; morning the boys were up, and after having a good • breakfast, paid their bill and went out for a walk. They strolled down to the quay and inspected the shipping. They particularly admired a smart, well-built schooner, with "Blue Peter" flying at the masthead. Boys know something of nautical affairs, so our heroes knew that this denoted that the schooner was shortly to pub to sea. " How I wish I was going with her," involuntarily escaped Harton. " Well, youngster, although it ain't often we ship passengers, if you've got enough cash I'll offer you a berth." Tna boys turned round, and beheld a rough man dressed in a dark-blue jersey. Spence and Harton eagerly turned out all their remaining cash. The man demurred about their nob having more, and told them they would have to rough it. A boat was then hailed, and our heroes, taking their places, were being steadily rowed to the schooner. On boarding her the boys were struck with the confusion and bustle proceeding on her deck. Tangled masses of cordage and broken handspikes were lying unheeded in every direction. The men themselves were made up of all nations, and a more ruffianly crew it would be difficult) to imagine. The sailor who had brought them on board was, evidently, the captain, by the .way, the men obeyed him, Gap heioet thought) tije

schooner was nob so nice internally as she looked outside. The captain took them beiow, and showed them into a small compartmenb near the hold, and told them he would send them some dinner. At the same time he strictly enjoined them nob to come on deck, and then left them to their own devices. Ib was nob very pleasant, for the rats seemed inclined to make a dinner off the lads' calves. Spence, unable to stand this, snatched up an old handspike, and laid aboub him so terribly that the pests were obliged to postpone their tempting meal. Shortly afterwards a burly Dutchman came down and gave the runaways some dinner as well as sundry kicks; these last) he graciously bestowed on Harton. The boys then tried to snatch some sleep, but were soon awakened by the rolling of the vessel as Bhe made her way out of the harbour.

Two hours after the wind veered round to the north-west, and the schooner was fairly out at sea. Ib was quite a novel sensation to the boys, but by no means a pleasant one, for the vessel lurched terribly from side to side. They had their tea senb down to them; then, after talking over their future plans, went to sleep for the night. Chapter VI.—A Bold Rescue, It was early next morning when the boys awoke from a sound sleep, and, contrary to the captain's injunctions, went on deck. A smell of tar pervaded the vessel when the lads ascended. The sailors were swabbing down the deck, and some were caulking up several holes that appeared as if made by cannon balls. On Fred remarking this to one of the sailors, he was told he was too "cute," and then ordered to go below before the captain came on deck ; but ib was too late, for the captain's burly figure was already blocking up the hatch. Seeing the boys he shouted, "Go below, you lazy lubbers, or else make yourselves useful; if not, I'll break every .bone in your bodies." The boys hastened to obey him, so they swarmed up the rigging, and Harton had already gob <up half-way, when becoming dazed and giddy, he let go his hold and fell into the sea. "Man overboard," shouted the lookout, and already a boat was being lowered, when Spenoe threw off his jacket and took a header into the sea. He was a good swimmer, and struck oub with all his might to save Harton, who was fast getting exhausted. Just as the boy was about to sink for the third time, Fred reached him, and managed to keep bis head above water till the boat, urged on by strong and eager hands, made a dash forward and reached them.

(To be continued.)