Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

pered Walt as Rush sprang down from the barrel. “When thieves fallout,” “there’s a chance for honest men. and Curly post yourselves at each end of the wagon and pull off the side when I give the returned Rush, Walt, you word.” Walt and Curly took up the positions as- signed to them, Phil standing in the middle, padlock in hand. “Now!” said Phil. In an instant the the cage was slipped off and dropped down, and Rush threw the hasp in the grated door of the cage over the staple and pushed the tongue of the padlock through and snapped gaudily painted side of it shut. It was then seen that Reddy had Bumpers down in the bottom of the wagon and was astride of him with both hands about his throat. The tramp’s eyes were bulging from his head and his face was growing purple. The sudden coup on the part of the young showman, however, caused Reddy to leap up The stout bars trembled beneath the impact of his huge and throw himself at the door. bulk, but remained firm as adamant. Bump- ers sat up, gasping and trying to realize what had happened. “Unlock that door!” fumed Reddy, shak- ing it with his hands, “No,” answered Rush. “I told you to look out for yourself if I found you around here after the half hour of grace which I gave you for collecting your traps and pulling out,”’ “Blast you, Rushington,” grated Reddy, reaching through the bars and shaking a big, red fist at Phil. “You let me out of here or I'll kill you!” Rush laughed. “I wouldn’t talk that way if I were Digs he. “It doesn’t sound well.” “You’ ve got no right to lock me up like you,” i this, ant | ” pe 198 ‘know it! Went on ek oe Pe ig i wa ge : “a >» h* ° a 4 lee 7 * ». _** 7 a th « in, Jf ae “ nw Ti er Pe Sy ug,- eR we, Rhee ; - r .- at fg : . — . the law on you! You'll pay dear for this po es “The law is about the last thing you want to run up against, Reddy. It will be very easy to haul you to the jail and dump you — out of this wagon into a cell.” “I'd like to see you try it on!” blustered = the ruffan. , “Make too much noise, or use any further violence against that tramp, and you'll see me try it on quick enough.” Rush turned away. “Watch them for a little while, Curly.” “Ts it all right, sir?’ asked the groom. “Ts what all right?” “Are you satisfied of my innocence rfe- garding that cut strap?” “Yes. Only do as well in the future,- Curly, as you’ve done just now, and you may be sure that I will have no fault to find.” Walt walked around the tent in the direc- tion of the dressing-rooms with Rush, the latter halting when they had gotten out of sight and sound of the cage. “We have no man on the roll named Love- joy, have we, Walt?” asked Rush. . “No.” Pe — “Well, I’m pretty sure there’s a strong man with us who is hes and glove with the rascals in that cage.” | “If we’ve got a modern Hercules: in this ) outfit, Rush, it’s a new one on me.’ Oates “On me, too, Take a quiet hunt around « as and see if you can find such a fellow, will you?” Seer “Yes, I'll go at it at once.’ Bea “AS soon as you can, relieve Curly at the 1 cage. I want some one on guard ‘there, 2 n cs the groom will be needed at the ‘stable. lf you find it impossible to go. in a short 1 time, find some trusty man to gO : in your place.” = Er “AML right.” seh eee. ‘They started off in pees directions, | but Rush halies to inquire: : Te! 4 ne “. BAL ~ yo vie BS a a 3 * A \ a ; »" * . . ‘ 17s 2 as . F< 4 “he 9) + 4 « “¢. es .e ny > . nee 5 . ~e irs a >. Wabeor.. we rey }- ie « t. »* _ é . ae" ee - a = J -— = -——_—- ~ . a TTY CED IOL Ry oe BSP RORT * ev me ¥ ' . » - P : / x as / 4 ‘ Jo ree «te oO ee - . A A - Aas ” i?