The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUINKEL MYSTERY, 69 “This boat don’t belong to you, Tom Sawder, and you have no right to use it against the wishes of the owner,’’ continued Andy, as he took a step towards the reprobate. ‘JT don’t want to argy, Andy; you mind your own business,’’ replied Tom, as he seated himself at the side of the tiller; for it did not occur to him that Andy could think of standing up against such a bruiser as he was. ‘Tt is my business to assist this young lady in her trouble, and I shall do it,’ returned Andy, in his mild way. ‘‘She wants her boat, and she shall have it !’’ Andy went to the cleat where the rope attached to the raft was made fast, and proceeded to cast it off. Tom sprang to his feet, and appeared to be even more astonished than angry. ‘“What are you about, Andy Lamb? What are you go’n’ to do?’’ de- manded he. ‘““T am going to cast off this line, and let that raft go adrift,’’ replied Andy, in the same matter of fact tone. ‘No, you won’t !’’ roared Tom, thoroughly aroused by this time. Tom Sawder drew back a step, and then aimed a blow with his fist at the head of the young lady’s champion; but Andy was skilled in the art, though he had never had any serious practice with his science, and was ready for him. He had been on his guard and he parried the blow artistically. He realized that it would be useless merely to stand upon the defensive. Hedid not take fire like a barrel of shavings, but like a keg of gunpowder; and the blow aimed at his head was quite enough to ‘‘ touch him off.’’ As he parried the heavy blow of the bruiser with his left hand, he struck with his right, and planted a sledge hammer hit squarely between the two eyes of hisopponent. Andy had pounded a bag of sand enough to know how to do it, and to harden his fist for such work. Tom reeled back towards the tiller under the effect of the blow. But fighting, more than anything élse, was his trade, and though he was utterly astonished at the result of the onslaught, his confidence did not desert him. In two seconds he renewed the attack. Andy looked his ground over at a glance, and retreated a step towards Di, ready to enter upon the serious busines of the encounter. He had a plan, and he arranged it so that the bruiser should stand near the rail when he made the next assault. Tom advanced furiously this time, and began to strike out with all his might. Andy got hit, though he fended off most of the blows of his antago- nist. He watched his opportunity, and then he rushed on his heavy oppo- nent, with his blood at the boiling point. He rained his blows upon Tom’s head and crowded him against the washboard of the boat, just where he wanted him. He made up in elasticity what he lacked in strength, and got in two blows to one of ‘Tom’s. When he had the bruiser in the desired position, he concentrated all his force upon him, and pressed hin with all the vigor he could bring upon him. The washboard was the impediment which Tom could not overcome, and as he was crowded against it, he went over backwards into the lake, precisely as Andy had planned the result, if his powers could accomplish it. +) COMmmicoaoolks |