The Internet Detective Library — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

92 A STRANGE ATTEMPT AT CAPTURE. ferocity as he leaped toward the boat with outstretched arms and cried: ‘‘Come ashore, you tenderfoot, an’ we’ll show you.”’’ Taking the cue from his companion, the other man also leaped to the boat, and both evidently would have laid violent hands upon Stokes and carried him ashore by main force. The detective stepped back with a light laugh, thus avoiding their clutch and, at the same instant brought his hands up and down with the motion so familiar to him, but so startling to his enemies. ‘‘T wouldn’t be in a hurry,’’ he remarked, grimly, and both men seemed to conclude very suddenly that there was nothing to _ hurry about so much as getting out of the range of the two revol- - vers that were pointed at them. They leaped back to shore, and as they did so Stokes could see that one of them was reaching for his belt. “Stop that!’’ the young fellow commanded, and he explained his command by sending a bullet that tore a hole in the sleeve of the fellow who was about to draw his gun. This warning shot had the desired effect. Both men stood still and threw up their hands without waiting for the command to do so. : ‘*Now,’’ said Stokes, ‘‘you two fellows hev got to speak the truth or be bored where you stand. ‘‘This is not the island of Taska, is it?”? ‘‘No, ’tain’t,’’ muttered one of the men. ‘Whar does it lie?’’ ‘* *Bout five miles to the north.’’ ‘*Thet’s all right, then; stand whar you are. You,’’ addressing his skipper, ‘‘climb on board!’? Stokes knew that the Esquimau was unarmed and too much of a coward to make any attempt at a fight. The order was obeyed promptly. While the Esquimau was get- ting to his place in the stern of the boat, Stokes kept his eyes and weapons upon the white men. ‘*Now,’’ he said, ‘‘come forward, you two, cast off this line and shove the boat out. ‘‘The first sign that either of you makes of crookedness will be his Jast move.’’ The men’s swarthy faces were pale with fear. There could be no doubt that this stern young fellow on board the little boat meant what he said. ‘*It’s all-a mistake, stranger,’’ muttered one of them as he advanced to obey the command. ‘*See thet you make it right, then,’’ was Stokes’ only response. / ! ao) books Hes reach o The ders to Ast great craft fl Stok pointe questio gone so ‘‘No and ad and if t will sto The stood hi ‘SAll Stoke ‘©The self, ‘‘a and lear that litt From late in t (C(O) =)