Jack and His Seven Foes — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. “T want to know why it should be me more than anybody else,” said Dun- more. ‘Choose your weaponand ficht,” cried Jack, “or PU shoot you as I would a cur.” “Or be hanged lke a dog,” somebody in the corner. “Well, I'll fight with the revolver,’ he said, rising. “T’ve got a aaa anyway.’ And suddenly, before anyone could guess his purpose, he whipped out his revolver and fired. The bullet sped over the heads of those present, pierced the thin wooden roof of the shanty, and whistled away in the darkness. With a yell of execration, the diggers bore down upon him, and he would have been dragged out and lynched but for Jack, who intervened. ‘Bring him out,’ he said, said “but do —* LOI OCHO CAILAALOAL rrr Cr him no harm. Let the dog have a fair fight for his life.” “They dragged Dunmore from the shanty, and a number of torches being obtained, the ground outside was speedily illuminated, and the men formed two lines. ; All but his six companions in crime were there, and they had taken advan- tage of the confusion and fled. “Seven paces—no more,” said Jack, and he measured that distance and wheeled round. “Get up,” he said to Dunmore, who lay cowering on the ground. “TI can't, “and won tf, ” was the reply. “T won’t be shot like a wild beast.” “You deserve to be,” cried Jack; “but we will have all fair. Will some- body help him to rise P ”’ Then Jacob Sturmby came out of the crowd, and hfting the trembling villain, put him on his feet. sacle MEE OVOTOVLOANDAOUPAND Ds Lan CHAPTER XII. THE FATE OF DUNMORE—FLIGHT—TWO SPECKS ON THE HORIZON. « Jacos,” said Jack, “ take my handker- chief and count three. Then drop it as a signal to fire. Dunmore, are you ready ?”’ “7 want time,” said he, glaring about him. “I can’t die like this, ’specially just as luck has come to us. Is there nobody to speak a good word for met aa 32 “ Remember the Jack, sternly. time.” “One!” said Sturmby. “T only want an hour,” Dunmore. “Two!” said Sturmby. “Give me a minute more—]—I]—” ‘“Phree! * Then the handkerchief fell. Dunmore had his weapon down, but Jack waited until he raised it, with a sudden desperate ettort. Then both fred. Quickly the spectators glanced from one to the other. Jack stood erect, but Dunmore was stagcering fortrard, and soon fell upon his face. ‘ Albatross,’ ’’ said “Jacob, we are losing groaned With one convulsive movement, he turned over and cried out, ‘‘ I’ve oot my due,” and lay still. “Is he dead?” asked Jack, standing up erect, and pale with emotion. “Yes, he’s gone,” replied one of the men who had advanced to raise him. “Hnough. Ihave done with him,” said J ack. “J acob, let us go.’’ Jacob Sturmby came out of the crowd, | and silently, side by side, they stole ——— Teena away until they were lost in the dark- ness. The diggers watched them until they were out of view, then stared at each other for a few moments in utter amaze- ment. Bilberry Tucker broke the silence. “Well, my hearties,’ he said, “I think we shall want a drink after that. We can bury this party by-and-by.” “T’d not like to be one of the six left,” said a big man with a red beard. “That youngster means downright real business, he does.”’ “Will they stick to their claim? 5? ' asked another. } “They won’t even stop to sell it,” COMmicooo Cc <“S (CO) am