Jack and His Seven Foes — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

ib A nic ruffianly-looking man responded | ' to the knock, » THE END OF A WEARY JOLRNEY-—AN dr agged back and a - rudely ponktcubted door. . F It had no hinges, and was little more than a shutter, and as he drew it away he pr opped it against the inner wall. take in drunken people here. — isn’t a lock-up.” “Who's this?” he said; ‘“ Bread, water!” gasped the Swag- verer. The man looked at him, then at the other two forlorn wr ‘taher behind him, and an exclamation escaped his lips. “Shiver my _ bones!” he - said. “ How did you find me out ?”’ It was Jim Black, the Settler. But they knew him not, and in a moment he saw that chance had brought them thither. “ Bread—bread !”’ they all cried, and their voices sounded hke the ratthng of dry bones. He smiled grimly, and drew the Swaggerer in. The others followed, and he replaced the door, and put a heavy bar of wood against it. “A drop of something first,” he said. He fetched a big iether bottle, rudely made out of some animal’s son and tilted some of the contents into a tin cup. This | — eo dies li satin |i ih are pia? Se JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. | “we don’t | ae ee It was fiery whisky, and he gave | Settler, “‘and then seeing I was ready them a little each. “ Drink hight, my hearties,” he said ; “wou have empty barrels, and we must be careful.” The drink revived them all, but they did not know him in the dim light that a small window afforded until the Swag- gerer got upon his feet. “ Whoever you are,’ he said, ‘ accept the thanks of a man who Was dy’ ing.” & Don’t you know me?’ said Jim Black. “|’m anold pal of yours. Here, let me stand by the window. Now look.” They knew him then, and a panic came upon them. Be: They drew back and huddled together Bassinet the opposite wall Mae ,' eee CHAPTER XLVIII. UNENPECLTED RECOGNITION YARNS. TWO NOTABLE “T’m no ghost,” he erinned. «Tm Jim Black in the flesh. I’ve a body, and I’ve bones.” “Then he didn’t kill youP”’ said the Swageerer, drawing a deep breath. “T deuced near killed him,” replied Jim, with a braggadocio air. ‘ Have another drop, and then somethine to eat, and afterwards I’ll tell you all about it. 3 He put some coarse food before them, and they ate greedily until he removed it. “Not too much at first,’ he said, “now a little more drink and a pipe. While we smoke we will exchange yarns.” Jim Black had but one rough seat in the hut, but there was a good fire, and the floor, though of earth, was hard and dry. It was a couch of down to the weary wanderers. “Your story first,” said the Swag- gerer, as he stretched himself at ease, “and then I’l1l tell mine.”’ “All right,” said Jim Black. Then began what might be called a hars’ competition, and a game of brag with big cards on both sides. According to Jim Black, Jack and he | had fought, and Jack, after the first shot, had run away. ‘He missed, you see,” said the for him, he bolted.’’ “You've hurt your hand somehow,” said the Panther. “T’ve had a fall,” he rephed, “ and broke some of the knuckles. The fingers are twisted a bit, but 1 can use it.” He resumed his story, and journeyed for a while in the land of truth. It seemed that he had wandered inland at first alone, but afterwards fell in with an exploring party who were on the lookout for anything that promised money. ‘We are looking for gold,” he said, “but we sha’n’t turn up our noses at silver.” CORNIELIOC CS (E(©)