Adventure, August 3, 1919 — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

~~ T= -filung open the office door. ; “Dl tear your heart out!” he roared and made a lunge at Peck. ae “Try it!” invited Andy, swinging his chair again. And this time he didn’t aim at the head— he aimed a smashing sidewise blow at the black man’s shins. Steamboat’s legs were swept from under him like straws. He fell to the floor with a tremendous thump, his howls filling the office. “Oh, name o’ God!’ he moaned. “Don’ do that! Don’ do that no mo’, Mistuh Agent!” : Agent Andy, chair poised again, held back. “Will you be good?” he demanded. “Ves, suh! Yes, suh!”? groaned Steam- boat. ‘Only jes’ don’ hit my laigs no mo’!” There was an abrupt grinding of brakes out in front of the office before Andy could say more and a hissing of steam. Un- perceived, the special had arrived—a light engine. The waiting-room door flew open with a crash as stout shoulders were set against the lock’s resistance. There was a tramping of heavy feet inside. Andy Carrick, Quinn, Capt. Caney and three other men swept in, flashlights and pistols in hand. “Peck!” cried the superintendent, amazed at the sight in the office. “What in the devil! What’s this fireP We saw it through the window!” : But Peck was all business; he had a plan in mind. ; “Watch that man on the floor!” he ex- claimed. “Grab him up and make him walk!” And without further ado he snatched up the office water bucket and dashed its contents on the burning heap of paper. The fire by that time had been licking eagerly at the stationery case. But the water was sufficient; the flames abruptly expired. ; “Come along! We got to hurry!” cried Andy then. He grabbed up the package of pay-roll money from the ticket window ledge and thrust it into Quinn’s hands. “Hang on to that!” he said. Capt. Caney meanwhile had hauled the abject Steamboat. to his feet. Peck clutched the colored man’s other arm. Pushing and tugging, he started for the door. _ Amazed and not comprehending, they seemed all to recognize Andy’s leadership. In a group they burst out of the station and headed toward the near-by camp-cars, — Agent Andy > 153 Caney and Peck in the lead, dragging the reluctant steel ganger between them. “What’s the idea?” grunted Caney as they stumbled on. ‘“What’re you work- ing at?” “Wait!” panted Andy. “Not time now to explain. Have to get this thing headed off before some one gets killed—if some one hasn’t already been. You just follow my lead and back me up!” The moon had come up since Andy’s hasty return to the office from up-town, revealing the camp-cars and surroundings clearly as the party approached. All lights in the cars were now out, the cars’ occupants lurking in the obscurity inside. As the party rounded the end of the string of cars, the Belham citizens, gathered in the shadow of a warehouse at the head of the siding, apparently mistook them for charging steel gangers. A shout arose. “Here they come, boys!” It was Big Noonan’s voice. “Out and at them!” There was a mighty shout in answer, and the Belhamites leaped out for battle. From Steamboat’s darkened car an answer- ing cry went forth, and some shots flashed out. Andy Peck dropped Steamboat’s arm and jumped ahead of his party. “Keep back, men!’’ he shouted to the oncoming townfolk. “Keep ’em_ back, Noonan! Everything’s all right now!’’ . The Belhamites, recognizing Peck’s voice and perceiving their mistake as to the party’s identity, faltered and came to a halt. Only Noonan pressed forward. “What!” he cried. “That you, Andy?” “Yes,” replied the agent. “Just hold your men a minute! I’m going to fix things.” _ , He turned and grasped Steamboat by the arm. “Tell your men in that car to let up!” he commanded sternly. “Tell them to come out here, quick!” Steamboat, overawed, did not demur. He faced his car. “Come on out, Geo’gel’’ he called de- jectedly. _ ‘Come on, you an’ all the boys!” “Fo’ the lan’ sakes, that you, Steam- boat?” said one in the car, evidently Geo’ge; his head was cautiously sticking out an open window. ‘“We-all been won- d’ring whar you been!” “It’s me,” admitted the gloomy Steam- “You'll not be harmed,” put in Peck