Jack and His Seven Foes — page 52: what you’re looking at

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JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. 43 apportioned to the passengers, and thither they adjourned. A small swinging-lamp from the roof gave them suflicient light to see that they were alone, and the Swaggerer bade the Pantaloon close the door. ‘Well, lads,” said he, “ what do you think of our captain aay “ He rides high,” said the Settler. ‘*So he does,” said the Swaggerer ; “but men have ridden higher, and have been brought down. He ‘has an odd and end crew of ten.” ‘Ah, yes,” said the Panther, “of “We are bound for New , York, ” con- tinued the Swaggerer, ‘‘ but we may not get there. Wait till we have rounded the Cape, and I’ll tell you what I mean.’ “The old game?” said the Settler, in a whisper. The Swaggerer nodded. At the same moment Dribbles sneezed. “Oh, dear me,” he said, ‘“‘ must we go a murdering again oa “Tll begin at once,’ said the Swageerer, “if you don’t keep that blabbing shop of yours shut. Come over here, and lie quiet.”’ He spoke as if to a dog, and Dribbles obeyed him like a dog, ‘and lay down behind the Swaggerer. “Tt’s early to speak, I know,” the leading villain ; time to think over. upon another may. far as New York.” “No,” said the Settler. “ And I think the Brazils will be far enough. What say you, lads?” “ Far enough,” they echoed. : And— Quiet there, somebody’s coming.’ The door of the cabin was kicked open, and Abraham Spanker came in. He had a revolver in each hand, and close behind him were three men. “Don’t move, any of you,” he said; “but sit with your hands spread out. said “but it will take What one don’t hit We must not go as We are just going to overhaul your | traps.” “What for?” asked the Swaggerer. ss Because I’m nervous about fire- arms,” replied the captain, with a erin. “Go to work, you drum-backed loafers. See what they have, and hand it over.’ “But I’m not going to stand this,” said Jim Black. “Oh, yes, you are,’ ' replied Abraham Spanker. “ Keep quiet, or Pll lull you to sleep with an ounce of lead.”’ There was no help for it. They had to submit. All their arms, even their knives, were taken away from them, and they were left as helpless as five wasps de- prived of their stings. “You see,’ said Abraham Spanker, ‘“‘T’m a man of peace, and things gene- rally are peaceable when the weapons are all on one side. You've only got to do as you're told, and keep a civil tongue in your heads, and by the time we reach New York we shall be so fond | of each other that we shall shed buckets It’s time you turned in. Put. of tears. out your lamp, and go to sleep.” He went out, his face all on the grin, his pockets stuffed with the appropriated weapons. The door closed, and the five rascals exchanged glances of dismay. “| must say this is a nice ship,’”’ said the Pantaloon. “This sort of thing is like taking away a man’s living.” ‘“We've been blown upon,” snarled the Panther. “It’s that young Jack. Ah, if I'd only finished him at the first go off !”’ “Finish him now,” Swageerer. he chance was lost,’ the Settler said, ‘‘ and there’s an end of it.”’ “But there’s one comfort,’ said Dribbles, ‘‘and that is, we are free of that young demon for a good two months. I suppose I may go to bed?” “You may go to Hechabo,” said the Swaggerer, “and stop there till I send for you. Beggar it! who would ever have thought of this ?”’ They got into their bunks, muttering and growling like a lot of wild beasts, muttered the , and in a short time were fast asleep. DEPP PVPA UDMA IM +. PTV PUT) KIVALPD PAPA —_——__— = COMIECLM@ao@ SS (CO) am