Jack and His Seven Foes — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

134 “No; [Pm no hunter—not intended.’ ss Only in silver,” hunter, ‘ and much good it will do you when you’ve got it.” - “‘T’]] try to make use of it.” “You have no enjoyment in life, and — will waste all your best time here. When you can neither-work nor play, you will leave off, and think about spending your money.’ “T want to be the tip-topper,” said Tom J ordan 5 “T like to be head of all diggers.” “Which you ain't,” shaking his head. “But I am!” “No, no, my lad,”’ said the hunter, in a bantering tone; ‘‘ you tumbled on a big vein, but if you had gone ten mile west, you would have found a bigger.” “Who says so?” “I do, for I’ve seen it.” “ Ah, that’s your fancy.” “No, it ain’t,” replied the hunter ; “it’s being worked by a gang of men better than yours, and at the head of them is one who knows his business.”’ “What's his nameP”’ Jordan, pale with fury. “ Abel Newcombe.” “ What!’ cried Jordan, now livid. ‘““ Abel, my old partner, that I swore to ruin, because he married the woman I Was spoons on.” ‘“‘He’s there,’ said Ralph, “and his wife is with him, so is his daughter, a very pretty girl. ” “But are you sure he beats met asked Jordan. “Sure of it. as much as you. King.”’ ‘“‘ It’s hard for me to hear this,” said Jordan, wiping his forehead. “ With any man I should have felt it; but to think that Abel Newcombe, who I drove out of every place where I found him, sapuld have the luck, it’s madden- ing!” “You do take it to heart,” said Ralph. “1 was afraid you would. a “Who is with them ? ” “Oh, some good men, mostly English, and one young fellow I’ve made a friend on. He didn’t care a rap for your silver; was often out with me on the hunt.” “No ’counting for tastes,”’ said Ralph, He’s rolling in twice He is the true Silver said the JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. -Swageerer. . replied the old — asked Tom “What's the vous foo like?” “Oh, he’s bright and spry,’” said Ralph, “but not so merry as I should like to see him. He ’pears to me to be looking about him like.’’ So we all do,” said the Panther. “But he’s not looking about him in the ordinary way,’ replied Ralph. “TI heard him talking to himself about three of ’em, and they must be found before he could rest, and sich like. You look pale rather, master.” “The whisky’s bad,” said the Swag- oerer. He and his companions had heard the words of the hunter, and the truth came upon them with a rush. It sobered them. ‘“T suppose this young fellow has a name,” said the Swaggerer, slowly.” ‘In course he have,” said Ralph. « What—is—it ?”’ “ Jack Boldheart !” They were sober now. Their heads were as clear as they had ever been, and their nerves strung up to the highest pitch. Aghast they looked at each other. ‘1’ take a drink,” said Ralph. “Aye, do,” said Tom Jordan. And these two, in turn, exchanged olances. “Let us all have another drink,” said Ralph; ‘‘asa rule, I stick to water, as being the stuff handiest in the woods, but this is my birthday, and I mean to be merry.”’ “You look so,’ said Tom Jordan; “but my new partners have all got a touch of something.” “There is nothing the matter with us,’ said the Swaggerer, but his blanched cheeks and quivering lips gave his words the lie. They all returned to their drinking, and Tom Jordan and Ralph renewing the original subject, that of the rival | Silver King, the Swaggerer drew a little apart with ‘his friends. “A curse upon him!” he said, mean- ing Jack, “to come into our country at such a time.” “Tt was always so,’ replied the 7% Panther, with a ferocious oath; ‘as soon as we get a streak of luck, he comes to spotl 1t.”’ “Tl not budge,” said Jim Black; conmicbooks.conis