Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

10 Phil, coolly; “you lied, Reddy, and you know The driver spluttered, twisted and squirm- ed, but did not resort*to blows. When he be- came fairly quiet, Rush continued : “I’ve got another question 1 want to ask you: Why did you cut that strap rr “T didn’t cut it.” “What have you got against that boy, any- ’ asked Phil, disregarding the denial. and way! “Nothin’, an’ you can’t stand there make a fool o’ me. Let loose! Break away, I ; ’ , say, or I’ll knock out one o’ your lamps! “I want you to answer my question, why did you But Reddy was in no mood for answering questions. Thinking he saw an opportunity, he reached forward with his big fist toward one of Phil’s “lamps.” When the fist reached the point where the “lamp” was, however, the For this the fist struck nothing but air, Reddy “lamp” had dropped a foot below. reason, was hurled violently forward with the force ot his blow and Rush tripped him neatly with an outstretched foot. Reddy fell sprawling. When he sprang up, fairly frothing with rage, he found that the young showman had picked up an iron-bound tent stake. “Is that a fair way to hight?” gritted Reddy. “No,” answered Rush. “I don’t want a fight, and for that very reason I’ve armed my- self with this tent-pin. How much money is coming to Reddy, Walt >” Walt took a small book from his pocket and examined it for a moment. “Something like nineteen dollars,” : replied Walt. “Nineteen and a half is the figure, Phil.” “Throw him twenty dollats.” Walt wadded up a bill and tossed it to Reddy, who promptly set his foot on it and ie es ea it into the earth. DO AND DARE WEEKLY. fe “The twenty you owe me, Rushiiee “That’s what I think of your money,” fumed. ton, I'll take out of your hide.” “T don’t think you will, but if you want toe leave it that way, I shan’t object. you to take the money, though.” “T’ll have somethin’ better’n money, you can bet on that.” “Tt’s probably needless for me to tell you, Reddy, that you’re discharged. I'll give you half an hour to get your traps together and take yourself off the lot. If I find ‘you here, after that time, look out for yourself.” Rush pitched the stake to one side and walked off toward the crowds in front of the tent. “Where did we take Reddy on, Walt?” who had _ fol- asked Rush of his old chum, lowed. He means mischief of You ought not to have “Edwardsville. some kind, Rush. given him so long a time to make himself scarce.” “I don’t think I offered him any more grace than he'll find necessary. I’m as posi- tive as I can be that he did his best to injure that boy.” “It’s strange that he should want to do that.” In fact, it’s part and par- cel of the mystery surrounding Francis Car- ter—which, by the way, is certainly not ee boy’s name.’ “Very strange. “I think Francis could tell us, if he would.” “I think so, too, despite the fact that he said he had never seen Reddy before. By the Way, old man, was that cage repaired?” “It was just hauled back from the black- smith shop. When do you want the animals put back in it?” “Not till to-night, just before we haul the cages to the depot. A good crowd, Walt!” They had reached a point where they could Observe the throng about the ticket wagon ‘CO I'd advise — = - - ’ * ad ok Ana - 5S Ge a c » : 3 sy - c ~ as “ ty * ng . Pe ae ef ome! Be - ™ a~4* 1s oe tas" ’ ti » ; 4 ¥ * - JOCKS :. COM oo S - i ee ¥e ‘ we aad - LM OF ere ae ele. oe ee,