Phil Rushington's Friends, or, Springvale Boys in a Lumber Camp — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 The dozen chosen were called around their leader, and in a few words Rushington ex- plained to them all it was necessary for them to know concerning the change in the one in authority over them. “We do not wish to injure your former boss,” he explained. “But I shall order him to leave the place, and you will see that my commands are enforced, in case he tries to put up too much of a fight. Do you under- stand?” ‘Do ye mane to soy thot we're not to break the back av ‘im?’ demanded Danny. ‘No necks are to be broken, unless they try to be too stiff under new authority,” said Rush. The young leader lined up his men in mili- tary order, and, leading the way, gave them the signal to advance upé6n the cabin of Rock. The latter had not been blind to the rapid change in the aspect of affairs. Incredible as it seemed, he yet realized that a mere youth had robbed him of his command. He stepped forth, gun in hand, as they ap- proached. Thena no longer tried to restrain him. She saw that the day was lost; and she saw something more—that Phil Rushington was with those who were coming, and to him she alréady looked for an exhibition of jus- tice, tempered with mercy, such as her father knew not how to exercise. When the workmen with Phil were within a dozen paces of the cabin, Rock carried the rifle to his shoulder. At the same time Rush called: His men obeyed. Rush boldly faced the ex-boss. “There is no need of our having further trouble, Mr. Rock,” he said. “I come to in- form you that I have formally taken posses- sion of my property, and I have agreed to pay all wages due the men from my pocket. DO AND DARE WEEKLY~« There is nothing left for you to do but. tor = port to Mr, Wigson, of Albany.” ore “Ort-Utica;: “Taken possession, eh?” whose whole body fairly trembled with pass 4 sion. “T have stated the fact. I would have been eS easier about it had you not resisted, and then i as res * made matters worse by shooting down one of — pe ~ Rect . ric ‘* my men “One of your men!” broke in the man. “One of my best men,” smiled Rush. (7? “Good for yees, me b’y!” cried Danny. “And you have also excited the ill will of ~~ all of my men by the severity of your rule,” continued Rushington. ‘Otherwise I might allow you to remain as foreman until I no 2 ee longer needed their services. As it is, I am sorry to =f that I shall have no further use for you.’ “Wad ye let me have the use av ’im, for the space av tin minutes, and Oi belave Oi could sthir-r the sowl av ‘im into repintince for ivver having been creayted, be-gobs!” cried - Danny, shaking his big fist at the ex-fore- 7 man. “Shut up, or I'll bore a hole through you,” exclaimed Rock, covering the Irishman with | his aim. Go easy, Danny,” admonished Rush. “Aisy, is it! And it wad be dead aisy for me to smash the head af* him, wad ye give me ee 2 abitavashow. Make’ im lay down the gun, the cowardly spalpane, aad put up the dukes — 3 av ’im for a fair foight, ard be the same token | 2 | Oi’d smash ’im antil ye | nivver foind as much as a grease-sh~ot !”” ef et ra? hy A, er rest Danny’s wrath inv reased with the ventin : of it in speech, and with Rock glowering ate ee a3 bd - : gut o> A - as. . 2S ta him, it began to look as if Rush would have tone let them settle it, hand- to-hand. ~ “That will do, Danny,” Phil ordered, sternly. “TI will do the talking, Mr. Rock is- eed mt no nese ge Doss, youn ¢ — ro s = © Vie 5 = bed - ar ‘ ~ x <y, ts ° ae” “ ~ a re * A ~ a . ran « oe * A any ee AL ss * = * £ one rhe es cl comicbooks. com: and now t tha ee . ae tet —_- Pe a . - Ee Ig —_—— ee et - 7 =e, Por ~~ —_ i ‘ : A e! 78 - “ * = « ° > . 7 iy 7 4 4 “ ~*~, E . a . . J ¥ es n ‘,-% 4h ‘ fi « . 7 é z Le ‘ - - fe | i ' { oe p, : > arg 4 = i +4 . : bad *.<4 r ~ r . = . : : P J ny - . ; ‘ . oo , "? ‘ 3 ; - : * : : 4 : > - > ee = ee i : ‘ a ee) ee Ee a = = = ‘ 7 > Qa A . * 7