Jack and His Seven Foes — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

; - "i * é us,’”” he said JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. ; “we ought to have left a guard behind us.” “Tt was my fault,” T know her heart. now, and hear me, wailed Dick; “ but lf she can see me she will forgive my blunder. Poor mother! so lov: ine and kind. ‘To come to suchanendas this! ? “Bear up, Dick,” said one of his friends near him. “Tltry to. I*riends, don’t stop here, you can do nothing. We'll bury her to-morrow. It’s no use hunting these wolves, we must trap them. [’ il havea trap baited for ’em afore long!” He was heard by a dismayed people, who went silently to their houses, and shut themselves in to discuss the horrors of the last two days Late at night there came the sound of footsteps to Deane’s door, and a hand hehtly tapped upon it. ‘“Come in,” cried Deane. He stood with his gun ready in case of foes; but it was only Ralph, the trapper. ‘‘T promised you to stay here for a few days,” he said. “You did,”’ replied Harold Deane. “T am here to recall that promise. Set me free from it.” “Tf you will; but surely you are not afraid of these hidden robbers ?”” Ralph smiled. “Tye carried my hfe in my hand for many a year, > he said, “and I don’t know that I ever quaked Vetere NO};) 1 am going for my young master.”’ “What can he do? ” ‘““ He will find these fiends. They are reserved for him. Until he comes, they will be secure.” “Go, then,” him speed: ily.” ‘He will be here in three days,’ said Ralph, and, with a motion of his hand, departed. It was a starry night, and the stars were his guide. ‘Keeping Ursa Major straight im front of him, he struck through the little wood for ‘the plain. As he passed the spot where little Hugh was murdered, he raised his cap and murmured something that was lke a prayer, and journeyed on over the plain. The fatigue of the day he ignored, and travelled until the night was nearly over. said Deane, ‘and bring Then he lay down on bare earth, obtained an hour’s sleep, and moved on again. With only a little fruit for food, and water for drink, he kept moving all the day. As night drew on, he sighted a vast wood in the horizon. When darkness came he was near it, and on his left a small camp-fire was burning. ‘True to his appointment,” muttered Ralph. Ife surmised that Jack was there waiting for him, and in a few minutes he saw that he was right. On one side of the fire lay Jack, nie in slumber. On the other sat Jacob Sturmby and old Ben whispering together. talph advanced with a light step, but old Ben heard him coming, “and sprang to his feet, revolver in his hand, ready for use. ‘An old friend,” said Ralph, softly. “Tt is the trapper,” said Jacob, and motioned for him to come in lightly, so as not to disturb Jack. “You bring news,”’ ing keenly at him. “T do,’ repled Ralph; ‘the two fiends are at Silver Settlement, playing high jinks. ‘They murdered a child two mornings since, and an old woman yesterday.”’ ‘You are sure it is them?”’ said Jacob. “As sure as I can be of a thing 1 have not seen.” ‘Tt is time they came to their end,” said old Ben, with his eyes gleaming beneath his brows; ‘‘ the young master and I are of the same opinion there.” “But he wants rest,’ said Jacob; ‘he’s as near worn out as can be, and ain’t fit to go on.’ “That's a pity,” said Ralph, “for it’s time the dark work of these brutes was stopped.” “ But it can’t be done by him, Jacob; “he isn’t fit for it.” “Who: says that?’ interposed a voice, and Jack, who had risen quietly, stood before them. “It’s my opinion,’ rather a dogged look ; won’t mind that.” “Old friend,’ said Jack, laying a hand on his shoulder, deat ould heed you in anything but a proposal that I said Jacob, look- > sald said Jacob, with ‘but I know you (EO) 0)(0\(6) AMIS <S (E©)