Jack and His Seven Foes — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

Le talk of such a thing now? _Swaggerer. ~- + “He looked at you,’ Panther, ‘and all of a sudden a light -- Jeaped into his face. he cried, ‘I know you nowoyoue are my . old friend, Norton Gray. 2°7.2* se oF glory of a better world upon it. he said, ‘I torgive you, as I hope to be 142 | JACK AND HIS oo FOus. for all that I and the others have suffered we owe to-you.” ‘“T don’t deny it. I agree a ihe you —only don’t speak of it.” “But I must and will. I can see Boldheart, as good a man as ever sailed a ship, standing before us, with that brave look of honesty on his face.” ‘“‘ Panther, have done.” “He smiled onus like the good fellow , he was, and you went up to him 1 in that sneaking, oily way of yours—” s Have pity on me, Panther.” “Pity to the Ronde! ‘Captain Boldheart,’ you said to him, ‘I am only a common sailor now, but there was a time when I was something better.’ ”’ “Something better,’ groaned the ‘Oh, the past—the past [”’ continued the ‘Good Waren fc? & Panther will you be ealent. as “When I choose, and not before. The moment he cried out your real name, you sprang upon him, and plunged your knife into his heart. He fell, and I can see his face now with the ‘Gray,’ forgiven. ‘Then you fell upon him with an axe, and hacked at him as if he had been your bitterest foe instead of friend.” ‘‘ He was no friend,” said the Swag- gerer, dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief. ‘“‘ He was—he showed it as he died,”’ returned the Panther, ‘and after he was gone his son confirmed hiswords. You denied it then, you deny it now, but you know it 1s true.” “Panther,” said the Swaggerer, white with agony, ‘“‘are you going to clive me much of: this ? 2’ “AS much as I please, and when I please,” answered the Panther. “It is a relief to me to put a double burden on you. If you object to my company, go your way and I'll go mine. ‘“ Whichever way we go,” said the Swagegerer, ‘ the end will be the same.” ‘“‘Itis approaching,” said the Panther, recklessly. ‘I can see only one friend for us now.” Shall you and ‘ And who is that fa oe “King Alcohol,” cried. the Panther, “‘ Prink, iny lad, drink ! I shall stop at the first settlement we cross, and drink there while the money holds out,” “Tt is a good thought,” said the Swaggerer. “We will yak and die together.” Late at night they came upon a body of men round a camp-fire, numbering perhaps a score. They went boldly up, after the manner of travellers, and asked if they might rest there. ~“ Let us look at your faces,’’ cried one, who appeared to be leader. Taking up a burning brand, he held it aloft, and scanned their faces closely. Tossing the impromptu torch back again, he said— «Pass on.’ “Pass on? ”’ repeated the Panther. ‘Yes, go your way.” “ We are forlorn.” “Pass on, I say, or we will whip you~ on. We know you!” ‘Well, suppose you do,” said the Swaggerer, with a forced laugh. “Remember the ‘ Albatross!’”’ said the man. And there was a murmuring among the rest. Alarmed, they hurried on, and, foot- sore and weary, put some miles between them and the men. Then they lay down on the bare oround, and slept the sleep that comes with utter exhaustion. In the morning they shot a rabbit with their revolvers, and ate it almost raw. It was poor food, but better than none, and they moved on again, choosing what appeared to bea well-beaten track. It led them to a small collection of huts, dignified by the name ot Beecher’s Town, and here they found the same in- hospitable welcome the miners had given them. As soon as they entered the place about a dozen men and women came to meet them. Their looks were threatening, and the Swagegerer saw that there was no rest for him and the Panther there. “ You must go farther on,” of the men. said one ‘We only want. to buy some food and 4 drink,” replied the Swaggerer. ene comichooks.cOnm Re ST ye SAS TO ars Bier ria! Me See RE Se Yeas Te nk SS eta ts Ce NA