The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

120 Her head appeared over the rim of the basket. ‘“ Have you slept?” I asked. ce No.”’ “ Why not?” ‘““[ was worried—you were gone so— long. I feared something had happened.”’ “ Bless you,” I answered, “ you must not worry about me. Lower a cord and I will send up your dinner.” ‘“ Really!” she exclaimed. of you.” ‘My reward shall be your promise to eat it,” I said dubiously. “You need not worry,’ ‘“ How good ) she answered hungrily. “I could eat it raw—now.” . “Good! Are you comfortable?” “ Perfectly.” Cold?” “No. And here is your coat. I have been worrying ever since you were gone because you did not have it.” I protested. I did not want the coat. I could get more cotton from the bal- loon. She ended the argument by drop- ping the garment on me. So I put it on, and the warmth of it—yes, and the fragrance—affected me strangely. I wondered if it were such a fearful thing, after all, to have lived in those ancient times. Ah, but there were no such women as this one, I reflected, and— there was still Brute Flanagan. I tied part of the rabbit to the cord she lowered. “Would you care to join us at the fire?” I questioned. ‘I doubt if Flana- gan will be offensive when I am about.” “Thank you,” she answered, “ but I am frightfully sleepy, and so much de- pends on my condition in the morning—” “ Quite right,” I agreed, relieved at her decision. _ “Later I will send you up a bundle of leaves for your bed. Good night!”’ “Good night,” she answered softly. ** And—”’ she hesitated—‘‘ you won’t get into another fight, will you?”’ I did not reply. I had my own ideas about that. “For my sake?” she pleaded. THE ARGOSY. “Not unless it is for your sake,” I answered and left her. I went over to the fire. Brute Flana- gan sat coughing in the smoke of it, too stupid even to get to the windward of the thing. He did not see me until I stepped into the light of the fire. His little eyes narrowed as he looked up, for I was eating a rabbit leg, and in spite of my fears I found it very savory. I had hidden the rest of the animal against a future need. Neither of us spoke for a moment; then his eyes rested on the club thrust into my belt. ‘“‘ All healed, ain’t you?” he said with his habitual sneer. ‘‘ Hung the skirt up out of danger,” he went on, “ built your little bonfire, and now you come back for more.” Remembering my promise to the girl, I made no answer. His appetite got the best of him after a while. ‘“* Got any more of that?” he demanded. I nodded. ‘Let’s have it,’ he ordered peremp- torily. ‘““T am saving it.” ‘““Let’s have it,” he repeated threaten- ingly. ‘““T am saving it,” I echoed. He got heavily to his feet. “ Have I got to beat you up again?” he questioned, his jaw thrust forward. I drew the club from my belt and stood my ground. ‘“ Aw—put down your stick and fight like a man,” he sneered. ‘““T will—when I fight with a man,” I answered. ‘““T knew you were yeller,” he abused me, and sank back to his former posi- tion. ‘““ Now let me tell you something, fel- ler,” he went on. “If you had been on the level wit’ me, I’d ’a’ been on the level wit’ you. But what do you do? First you butts in between me and the skirt— and get a good licking. Then you hoists her higher than a kite when I’m hittin’ EO) VNOOKS AUUG (C@)