Jack and His Seven Foes — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

132 JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. a noble creature. There was an appear- ance of opulence about him that pleased the would-be plunderers. When within ten yards of them, he suddenly reined up, whipped outa brace of revolvers, and covered them. “Now, lads,” he said, “I know your game, and let me tell you that it don’t: pay here.” They were not prepared for this, and could do nothing in defence. ‘A fool’s game,” he continued, “ for there’s nothing to be got out of me. I’ve a biscuit, a brandy-flask, and these two poppers—nothing more.” ‘«¢ Ride on, then,”’ said the Swaggerer. “Not so,’ he answered, “‘for I want such men as you.” “On what game?” asked the Settler. | “Tight work, good pay, and plenty of fun,” was the reply, “and no risk of breaking the law.” “ We must know what it is,” said the Panther. | ‘“Tt’s to work on a bit of land I have a few miles farther up,’ said the stranger. “All your grub and drink found, and ten dollars a day for a year; aiter that a percentage on the profits.” “Gammon,” said the Settler. “Tt’s no gammon, my friend,”’ calmly rejoined the other. ‘‘ Say the word, and you shall be on my ground in haltf-an- hour. If you don’t like my offer, go back.” he “Go back!” exclaimed the Settler. “Yes, my frend. If you eo) on without a pass from me, my men will string you up.” He looked as if he was speaking the truth, and the trio held a consultation together. ‘“It’s good pay,” said the Swaggerer, “and I think I see what his game is. He’s got a mine, and is working it in secret.” “‘ [tisn’t a bad offer,” saidthe Panther. ““ No,” assented the Settler. “ And I don’t think that that young devil could follow us,” said the Swae- gerer. | “Well, lads, what do you say ?”’ sung out the stranger. ane ; “We accept your offer,” replied the Swageerer. “ Wisely done,” rejoined the stranger. “Trot on ahead, and Ill follow you. Go your own pace, and it will suit my horse and me.” As they were about to start, he asked their names, and they gave them as they are known to our readers. “And I suppose you can give us yours?” said the Swaggerer. ‘““T am known here,” he replied, “as the Silver King.” LPO APVAORALO ADULOMNAIAN-DA UII = CHAPTER LIL. THE SILVER KINGS RIVAL—GOOD LUCK AND BAD NEWS. A yvnar has passed away, and the three remaining foes of Jack are still alive. They were now working for Tom Jordan, alias the Silver King, and re- ceived good pay and rations. They had had good companionship, and altogether avery jolly time of 11. Of course, they had kept the dark secret of their previous lives, as others around them doubtless had done also. What had the past to do with the present? The trio worked well, and worked better as the time passed on without a sion of Jack. Hope grew strong, and became almost a certainty. ‘He has lost us,’ said the Swaggerer. And at night, when work was over, who could swagger about so well as he? Tom Jordan treated his men well. They had the strongest hquor to drink, - and the best tobacco and cigars to smoke, and furthermore they had all they liked when work was over. “ Business in the day, and pleasure at nignt,’ was his motto. Altogether he had about a hundred men digging and blasting quartz, and keeping the pounding-machines going, but more than half had shares in the business. livery week or so a worker became a shareholder, and he was then called upon to stand treat.”’ This took the form of liquor, and tae conniclooks.conn #