Jack and His Seven Foes — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

Fr r 4 7 2. ra A ay ee pl oS ie ‘ av © sa aol - te i“ , PCTS ye ce Map he, Wen 8S 4 ad » Si x of % ~ Yer 4 J 7? > - . ‘ ' y a . *- . a ’ A quick movement on the part of - some, and the drawing in of the breath ot others, told that he had taken them _ by surprise. ‘* Between here and there,’’ he said, “‘there’s big peraries, and what’s done there, nobody here need know. ‘There are men and convoys coming overladen with the yellow dust, and if “the work is done, who 1s to tell tales Ps He paused, and, after a silence, some- body said— “ Nobody.” “That’s it,’ he said; ‘ nobody— unless it’s one of ourselves, and I suppose you are all in it with me?” ‘“* All—all,” they cried. “That’s enough,” said Makepeace Jibber, “and I take your words, being an honest man myself. But first, for form’s sake, I’ll trouble you to cross | your bowies here with me, and swear you may be powdered and shot if you turn traitor. Now—one and all.” Only the sign of crossing the knives was needed, and the act was carried out with fitting solemnity. “ Death to the traitor ! ” cried Jibber. ** Death—death !”’ they chorused. JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. «And to him who’s known to think | of turning one,” said Jibber. And fen they cemented his words | with bitter oaths, and had just settled down into their seats again, when the Sneezer came hurrying in. His pale face, his agitated mien, drew all eyes upon him, but he only looked at | the Swaggerer. Come here,” he said. The Swaggerer rose up and went to | him. | Swaggerer following. It was a mere matter of form asking | what had upset him. He already guessed the truth, but he put the question mechanically. ‘“« You've seen somebody ?”’ he said. “Yes,” rephed Sneezer. “I’ve— atchew !—atchew!—seen him. Oh, _ Lord, we are all done for! ” 39 “ Hush! be quiet, can’t you!” said _ the Swaggerer, visibly disturbed him- is ¢ self. ‘‘ Remember that we’ve never said a word about the ‘ Albatross.’ ”’ “ But I think you had better tell me,” } 75 said Makepeace Jibber, who had come up quietly behind him. ‘TI do so like to have things all fair and aboveboard.” “No doubt,” said the Swaggerer, “but it isn’t anything g you are likely to know about.” ‘Still, just for form’s sake, to keep peace and love between us,” said Make- peace Jibber. ‘‘ You needn’t blab it out here, we'll tall it over by-and-by, dear boys.” The Swaggerer shrugged his shoulders, and “they all navhivanvadl to the table. The Sneezer went and sat down by the Pantaloon. “What’s the row?” asked the old man. “Jack, our enemy, is here,’ replied Sneezer, “and how he got here isa thing that makes my hair stand up to think of it.” “Here!” repeated the Pantaloon, aghast. “Not in this house,’ replied the Sneezer, “but in New York. I saw him to-night. He had a man, with pistol and knife, by the arms, and he held him as if he were a child.” “He saw your” “Of course he did. “‘ And what did he say ? ” “T can’t tell,” said the Sneezer, with a wild stare. ‘‘ The sight of him turned me upside down. He said something, and I fancy your name was in it.” “Then I’m next?” said the Panta- loon, and all the blood fled from his cheeks. “There goes Jibber from the room,” said Sneezer, “and the Panther and What does that mean? ’’ “You sha’n’t go,” hissed the Panta- loon, grasping him by the arm; “if ral ack comes for me, he'll have both of us. 3 “Durst he come here ?”’ “ He’d come anywhere for our lives.” “ What are youtwojabbering about? ” asked the Panther, coming up quietly behind them, and pinching their ears. “ You fools! do you want everybody to know the murders we have done! ? Come, Jibber is going to help us.” CORNIELIOC <S (E(©)