Harkaway

“ Indeed, horrible as it may sound, they killed a brigand with as little compunction as they would have slaughtered a wolf.
"Surrender!" cried Harkaway, for the second time. "Yield now, or by Heaven, you shall all die on the field."
The Greeks looked around for assistance.
They were five.
The enemy only three.
As a rule, these ruffians were not deficient in bulldog courage and ferocity, but this desperate fighting had surprised and frightened them.
"Yield, ruffians, to better men than yourselves."
They paused.
"To pause is death," cried Jack Harkaway, in a loud voice. ”

“ Jack Harkaway was one morning in the courtyard, near the centre, with Harry Girdwood, looking at a heap of curious weapons, which they had purchased when roaming about the bazaars.
"Why, we've got quite an armory here," said Harry Girdwood. "It's a pity we haven't got some fighting to do to use them."
"I mean to make the place into a kind of fortress," said Jack. "Here, Bogey."
"What you after, Massa Jack?" asked the nigger, appearing instantly. ”

“ Harkaway," replied Elise.
"I am that individual."
Elise rose and came hastily to the back of the box.
"Oh, sir," she said, "do not think ill of me. I owe a duty to my husband, and also one to you, though you are a stranger to me."
"Really, madam, I am at a loss to understand you," answered Harkaway, in some perplexity.
"You have an enemy."
"Yes, and a very bitter one."
"I know all. Let me be brief. If I do not make myself understood it is because I am agitated," said Elise. "You are brought here to-night in order to be ruined. Let me beg of you to fly."
Jack smiled. ”

“ They advanced and laid hands upon him, but Hunston fought madly with them and clung to Harkaway's knees in desperation.
It was his last chance, he felt positive.
"Think, Harkaway, think," he cried again and again. "Remember our boyhood's days; remember our youth, passed at school together. We were college chums, and—"
"No; not quite," interrupted Dick Harvey in disgust. "We were at Oxford together, but never chums."
"You were never the sort of man that one would care to chum with," added Harkaway. ”

“ JOHN HARKAWAY:
"If you would save the lives of your son and your protégé, his companion, the only way to do it is to bring the sum of five hundred pounds sterling to the stone cross by the old well at two o'clock this afternoon. Those who have the two boys in their keeping will be on the watch. Come along, as you value your happiness and their safety."
"Not very likely," said Jack Harkaway. ”

“ At this period of their career some of them begin to read a good deal. Not the newspapers, not any books; their reading is confined to the penny novelette; for them Jack Harkaway performs incredible feats of valor; it is not for them that the maiden of low degree is wedded by the belted earl—that is for the girls; for these lads, to whom a fight is the finest thing in the world, the renowned Jack Harkaway knocks down the wicked captain on the quarter-deck, rescues a whole ship’s company from pirates, performs prodigies at Omdurman. ”

“ The girl passed before each of the unhappy victims and shook them by the hand one after the other. "Courage," she said, in a low but firm voice, "courage, brave hearts."
"Bandage their eyes," said Hunston.
"No; let us look upon our fate," said young Jack.
"The old Harkaway brag to the very last," said Hunston, with a sneer.
"You don't like to look a Harkaway in the face, assassin!" retorted the boy.
"Fool!" exclaimed Hunston, "since you want it, you shall have it. Fire at the middle first. They can have an opportunity of seeing a real man die before their eyes. ”

“ Harkaway and his friends at a masquerade."
Just at that moment a guttural voice was heard singing—
"Ole Ikey Mole
Was a lushy ole soul,
And a lushy ole soul was he."
"Now den, you nigger, be quiet," said another voice.
"Who are these people?" asked Petrus.
"Two black men in attendance on the Harkaway party," said the proprietor of the hotel.
"Just the men. I know a little of them. I have fought side by side with them. Now I have a proposal to make, which is that we put these brigands to flight in a ludicrous manner, which will annoy them more than being beaten in fight. ”

“ Mole.
"It will be warmer still when they capture us," said Harkaway.
"Oh, gracious, gracious! how shall we ever get out of this? Oh, dear! oh, dear! I wish I was in London once more," cried the orphan, wringing his hands.
His distress contrasted strongly with the calm, self-possessed demeanour of the beautiful Thyra at this time of supreme peril.
"There is but one thing we can do," said Jack.
"What is that?" asked Harry, anxiously.
"Break through that wall and get into the mosque; that's the only side of the building which isn't surrounded." ”

“ Harkaway handed it over and was settling back again when he heard a police official asking—
"Where is the gentleman who was run over at Marseilles?"
"Here," said Harkaway.
The gendarme ran to the spot, and to his intense surprise saw the victim of the accident in the act of taking a hearty drink from his brandy flask while his left hand held a lighted cigar.
"What do you want?" demanded Mole.
"The officials at Marseilles, unable to stop the train, telegraphed to me to see that you had proper medical attendance."
"Ha, ha, ha! look here, old boy; I always carry my own physic. ”

“ And then he communicated his own convictions to old Jack.
"I scarcely believe it possible, doctor," said Jack.
But the doctor was positive.
"Nothing will do him any good but to get on the move; I'm as sure of that as I am that he has no physical ailment."
"What's to be done then?" demanded Harkaway. "He can't travel alone."
"I don't know that," said the doctor; "he's hale and wiry enough. The only difficulty that I can see, is Mrs. Mole." ”

“ Jack Harkaway was astonished at this revelation.
"He may have remarked that I admired you, Miss Van Hoosen," he exclaimed. "But he was quite unwarranted in saying what he did. If he attempts to pick a quarrel with me, let him beware."
"That is precisely what I want you to avoid," she replied.
"No matter; the days of dueling are not yet over. In France a man can seek satisfaction for his wounded honor."
"Let me beg and pray of you, to keep away from Lord Maltravers." ”

“ And while the people were staring hopelessly at each other thus, a voice was heard giving the alarm hard by.
"Poor Brand, your murderer shall not escape," said Jefferson bitterly.
The noise continued, and presently the voice was recognised.
"It is Mole," cried Harkaway.
He was right.
Just then the poor old gentleman appeared upon the scene.
"Harkaway, Jefferson, Harvey!" he cried.
"What's the matter?"
"Murder!" returned Mole. "Hunston is here."
"By Heaven! I thought it," ejaculated Jefferson.
"He has carried off Emily and Paquita." ”

“ The tragic events of the past few weeks, and the murder of Marietta in Mrs. Harkaway's bedchamber, had led them to distrust every body and every thing.
"I must see him," gasped Theodora.
"Impossible," returned the girl curtly; "call to-morrow in the afternoon."
"Afternoon," returned Theodora. "After six in the morning will be too late. It is life and death, I tell you. Go and tell him."
"Obstinate girl, I tell you Mr. Harkaway has serious business on at daybreak, and has gone to rest, giving the strictest orders that he is not to be disturbed." ”

“ The man was Lord Maltravers who had come there to breakfast.
"Harkaway," said his lordship.
"Yes, and your enemy," was the reply.
"I know it, my good fellow, and I'm proud of it."
"Don't call me your 'good fellow,'" said Jack, while the blood rushed to his face.
"I shall call you what I please," exclaimed Lord Maltravers, with cool insolence.
Jack controlled himself, and the two men stood glaring at one another. Under no circumstances can men hate so intensely as when they are rivals for the affections of a woman.
"Isn't it about time, Mr. Harkaway, that you returned to England?" ”

“ I think we are watched," and the girl sank in terror at Jack's feet.
Harkaway, with one bound, sprang to the window, pistol in hand, ready for use.
But it was a false alarm; and, having satisfied himself that there were no eavesdroppers, Harkaway returned to his seat, and the girl resumed—
"Are you able to bear good news?"
"Yes," he said, with a sickly smile; "the novelty would perhaps affect me—speak then—you said my boy—"
"Lives," answered the girl.
"Impossible," he faltered; "why, Harvey saw their grave." ”

“ As the word was uttered, there was a loud commotion, and Theodora burst into the room.
She gave a cry on seeing the two boys, and rushed up joyfully to Harry Girdwood.
"Thank Heaven you are safe," she said hysterically; "but my own brave boy, do you hear? Do you know that that bell sounds the death-knell of men who, bad and wicked as they are, have been wrongfully condemned?"
"I know."
"Yes, my girl," said Harkaway; "we know—but there is yet time to save them. ”

“ Silently, in mute horror, the orphan was about to submit to the least of the two evils, and choose a wife.
Then he awoke suddenly.
What an immense relief it was to find it only a dream after all.
"I don't quite believe that young Harkaway," said the orphan, dubiously; "he is such a dreadful practical joker. But I won't go on shore, nevertheless. It's not very interesting to see these savages, after all; they really are nothing more than savages." ”

“ When Harkaway is a widower, or his wife a widow, then I shall consider my vengeance partly accomplished."
"Humph! for a woman you are tolerably moderate. I shall not be satisfied till the Harkaways and the Harveys are destroyed root and branch-till the other accursed detective, Nabley, his American friend Jefferson, the negroes, the wooden-legged ass Mole, till every one of the party is swept away out of my path. Harkaway taught me to hate, and I swear by all the eternal powers of earth, heaven, and hell, he shall see how I have profited by the lesson."
Diana was silent for a few moments ”

“ Mole.
"But I did to-day, though," replied Harkaway.
Captain Cannon took what belonged to him, and appeared very indignant.
"Mr. Harkaway," he said, "you and I are members of the same club."
"We are."
"And we came over here to hunt the buffalo in its native wilds and make a report at home."
"You did, but I had other things to attend to."
"Never mind, you have grossly deceived me, and I consider your joke an insult, sir."
"Do you?" said Jack, coldly.
"Yes, sir, I do. Look at my hair! it will take a month to grow. I shall leave this country at once."
"If you do, the country won't miss you. ”

“ Young Jack, who was secretly glad of an excuse to begone, ran off and brought the doctor up from below.
"Doctor Anderson," said Harkaway hurriedly, "I believe sincerely that this man has earned all he has had and a great deal more."
"Indeed he has," said Doctor Anderson.
"But I can't endure the lash. It is savage, it is unworthy of a civilised people—it must not go on. Stop it." ”

“ He ought to suffer for that."
"Hush!" said old Jack: "he is punished enough already."
"Not quite. I don't think he could be punished enough," said Harry Girdwood.
"Nor I."
"Stop, stop," said Harkaway, seriously; "I have suffered more than all of you, at the hands of this man, and if I can forgive him, surely you can."
* * * * *
Now, as Hunston gained strength, his old evil passions returned in their full force. ”

“ I paid all, as demanded."
"Hunston returned to the camp with only one hundred pounds, and they voted the death of the two boys. Poor boys! both brave boys. The bravest veteran on the battlefield never faced death with the heroic calmness of those two young heroes, sir."
"Bless you for those words, my girl," exclaimed the gratified Harkaway. "I am proud of my dear boy." ”

“ CHAPTER IX. THE BRIGAND'S CONSPIRACY—THE ARAB ASTROLOGER—HARVEY'S FIRST
APPEARANCE AS A MESMERIST.
"They are making fresh efforts to get Mathias out," said Dick Harvey to his friend Harkaway.
This was the beginning of a conversation which took place at the residence of the Harkaway party just three days after the daring and audacious attack on the hotel.
Mathias had been captured by the patrol while endeavouring to escape, and thrown in gaol again.
"Hang their impudence!" said Jefferson. "Will nothing daunt them? I wish one of them had entered my room the other night ”

“ Accordingly the money, all in gold, was placed in a bag in the spot which they had indicated in the first note addressed by the brigands to Jack Harkaway.
This done, they awaited the result.
It soon came.
Too soon for the latter's peace of mind.
As the family and their friends were seated in moody silence and in sorrow around the dinner-table, so strong was the sense of oppression upon everyone that they only conversed in whispers.
"The heat is really overpowering," said Mrs. Harkaway. ”

“ Captain Mathias, you have never tasted the sweets of civilisation."
"And, Signor Hunstani, how much the better are you through having tasted those sweets?"
"Peace, peace!" growled the giant. "Let us unite in thought and action, and to-night obtain our long-sought revenge."
"Well, Toro, I am sure I don't want to quarrel with anyone, except Harkaway."
"Curse him! and especially that American."
"Hush! let your curses be not loud but deep; you'll awake the town if you swear so." ”

“ Instantly the horses were untethered, and the riders mounted; armed men assembled on foot, and every warrior appeared in readiness.
Jack Harkaway and his friend Harry, by this time familiar as old soldiers with these sudden calls to arms, soon answered the summons; and the rest of their party, on hearing the danger, were not backward in preparing for it.
There were in the encampment a large number of fleet Arab steeds, more than were actually required by the tribe, but the chief, like many of his race, dealt largely in horseflesh. ”