Jack and His Seven Foes — page 159: what you’re looking at

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150 laconically, “but Dve made the old woman comfortable.” “Have you?” “Yes. Come and see her now.’ “T’ve seen her enough,” wa the Swagegerer, sullenly. “You shali look at her again the Panther, arm. He forced the Swaggerer to the door, and made him iook in. After all, the picture was not so very Serrible. The old woman was sitting by the fire, much in the same position as they found her in, with a cup of tea beside her. ‘““T’ve propped her up on the other side with some bits of timber,” said the Panther, withagrin. “ Whata pleasant surprise there will be for her dutiful son when he comes home! ”’ “Tt will give him a shaking, the Swaggerer. “ Rather,” returned the Panther. “I think I hear him say, ‘ Well, how are you, mother? We have had a long job looking for those rascals, but we haven’t found them.’ Ha, ha! And then—” ‘©Oh, have done, Panther! ”’ “And then when the old woman doesn’t look up and speak to him, he »’ rephed seizing him by the ” said . CEO) OAD UDD 02 LO? LLP LD CD? 479 79 2H JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. — will give her a loving nudge that will bring the props down, and—” _ “Oh, drop it, Panther; you carry a thing too far.” “T’ll carry it to the end,” said the Panther, hilariously, ‘and no man can carry it further than that.” “Panther,” said the Swaggerer, glaring at him, ‘I see you did find the whisky.” “Well, what if I did?” asked the Panther, with a erin; ‘‘ there was only half a pint of it—nota sip for two men.’ “This is not the way to treat a pal.” « Who’ s my pal? ”’ “T am.’ “Oh, indeed; I thought you were the leader, and I the follower. Il re- member that we are pals with the next lot I find. Let’s have a look into the other cribs.” He walked away with a nonchalant air, and the Swaggerer, with bent brows, followed behind. He thoroughly understood the spirit in which the Panther had spoken. Their positions had changed about. The Panther was now the leader, and the Swageerer his follower, and the new follower knew that the new leader would do just as he pleased. Defiance was out of the question. — CPD PA OD?9 OPPO 0D? 6079 CO C9 CO LOE CHAPTER LX. THE DISCOVERY—DISMAY IN THE Late in the day the diggers, weary with their fruitless search, began to return home ; the foremost party was headed by Dick Merryweather. He was accompanied by his wife and children, and they entered the hut in a body. The fire was out, but the old woman still sat there, with her teacup beside her. “aeullo,** mother!’ erred’ “Dick, cheerily; ‘“‘been having a nap, and forgot all about tea? Wake her up, iageie.”’ iiis wife went and laid a hand upon her shoulder. The body cf the old woman rolled over, and she fell upon her mack, showing the wound across her neck. SETTLEMENT—JACK ARRIVES. ‘Merciful heaven!” cried Dick, “‘ what is this? ”’ The cries of the children brought their neighbours to the door, and a httle crowd shut out the light. Dick came staggering out, with his dead mother in his arms. ‘¢ Let me see if it’s all over with her,”’ he cried, hoarsely. ‘‘ Give me light— stand a little away!” But it was all over with her, and men and women stared aghast at the awtul sight. No need for anyone to ask who had been guilty of the deed. Ralph came forward and looked at hercalmly. He was nota demonstrative man, but his heart bled for that wailing family. ‘The wolves must have doubled on COMICcoOOkKS.e®