Jack and His Seven Foes — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

96 Openly they condoled with young Shdeaway over his broken head, and hoped “ he would go in again.” “J may,” he replied, “but not this sugar time. The game isn’t sweet enough.” A few days later, earnest. The snow fell heavily in the night, and was followed by a hard frost. Sap-gathering was stopped, and all the Maple Mountainites were idle. It was their custom at such times to indulge in outdoor sports, such as run- ning, leaping, and jumping with poles, but they were clumsy athletes at the best. : Jack was much better, and at the request of a deputation, Jerek Grittle, that waited upon him, he came out to see the sports, “And if you jine in them,” said J erek, os ent take the rise out of most of us.’ , «<I may compete things,’ Jack replied. “Aye, do, lad,” said Jacob Sturmby, encouragingly. “Tt will do yor a power of good, Master Jack,’’ remarked old Ben. They went out and found all the town there, gathered on a level shelf of land about two hundred yards long by a hundred broad. Here the leaping-bar was stood, and the running-course marked out. in some of the Jack’s appearance was hailed with admiring murmurs, in which all joined | but the two Bunks , who with scowling brows and set teeth, creeted his advance. The first event was the quarter of a mule race, twice round the course. It had been won by Shdeaway Bunks, junior, two years in succession, thanks to his long legs. Jacks after some pressing on the part of Jerek Grittle, entered, and won easily by thirty yards. ‘““Sakes!’? exclaimed Jerek, “ talk of the prairie-bird—he ain’t in it!’” ‘“T can’t think that he is a Britisher,”’ said Slideaway, senior. winter came in headed by answered Jerek Grittle ; JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. “ Anyhow, he’s an infarnal ereetur,” replied his son. The next event was putting the fone, ; and Jacob Sturmby enter ed for this. He won by a foot and a half. : “Hadn't we better all go to bed?” asked Slideaway Bunks, junior. ‘““ The next event 1s the high jump,” ‘and for if are Cowpox Needle, Slinn, Winkle entered Brothers Nehemiah Rachel Craddath, and young’ Slideaway Bunks. Strangers,” with a look at Jack, “are allowed by the Maple Mountain rules to enter.”’ But Jack’s eyes were fixed upon 4 path almost obliterated by the snow that led from the plain. Up this a bare- headed man was staggering. His fixed gaze ard all eyes in that direction, and the sports were stopped. Jack moved down to meet the man. He was a stranger, of the digger clas® —that is, honest while it is rough. He had a ter vible wound across his for ehead, from which the blood was flowing. Jack was just in time to catch ik as he staggered and fell. - “Who has done this ?” he asked. “Carry me up somewhere,” faintly replied the man. “Iam the only one left alive.” Other help came near, and they bore him up to Jerek Grittle’s house. “To my room,” said Jack. And they carried him thither. A little brandy was given him, and Jacob Sturmby, who had some slight knowledge of surgery, washed and bound up the wound, “Thank you,” said the man, “I’m better now. But it’s lucky I saw you up there, or I must have died.” “You say we can oive no help to any- body else! ’ asked J aGle N one,” said the man, sadly. ‘“ All -dead.’ ‘Then sleep a little,’ rejoined Jack, “and by-and- by you shall tell us your story.” CIV PAVED EDPD DP? LOVATO? bn i Don thd —t <= CAD CAIDA? LO Od COV EAA LUA (C@) ( ei 0) | 6) 6) 0) Sj = o