In Barracks and Wigwam — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

. = - alll = . - ~ — ry - 2 oe ° . . 7 . > Ge Pe ei - - “z ’ - “ ¢ can slide out purty quick. If you want to be sociable an’ take a drink with me, you can stay.”’ EHoe Gray oe Resented a Blow. Gi During this brief speech, half a. dozen of the recruits lurched stealthily out of the door, unchecked by the troop- ers standing there at bay. In the confusion a daring thought flashed into Linn’s mind, and on the spur of the moment he dropped to the floor, unseen by the sharp eyes of Harkness. Corporal Otis detected the move, and evidently mis- took it for a cowardly desire to get out of danger, for he gave the lad an admonitory kick on the hind quarters. Linn suffered this to pass unnoticed, and on his hands and knees he crept over the floor in the direction of the “counter, squirming like a snake between the legs of the thickly massed recruits, and momentarily expecting to be discovered and shot. _~ But the desperado had eyes only for the little knot of motionless troopers, nor did he detect that one was miss- ing. His hands shook slightly as he kept the two big re- volvers pointed. Drink and passion were telling on him, and were fast destroying what atom of prudence re- mained in his brain. He was working himself into a mood of ungovernable fury and bloodthirstiness. | “What are you goin’ to do about it, captain?” he burst. out, with a string of profanity. “I’m tired of foolin’ with you an’ your Government slaves. Right about face, there! Now, march through that door. Quick, or Pl let these triggers slip.” Not a trooper stirred, but more than one hand tight- - ened unseen on the butt of a revolver. Captain Norman leaned slightly forward, his bronzed: face pale but reso- — lute. “This farce has been going on too long,” he said, stern- (ee) Be by" oy ‘and it has got to end. For the last. time I omicbo ; aks o >: / ~ ~——a ve 4 ae oF one hog ease CR gee ee ee eh ras pena we Oe on) pe ets mM