The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. 517 way. ‘‘I have to give you a thousand dollars of the money, Tom; and you must earn your share.’’ ‘‘A thousand dollars !”’ exclaimed Tom, dropping the oars and springing to his feet at the risk of upsetting the light boat in which they were making the trip to the island. ‘‘ Don’t you mean to give me more’n a thousand dollars, Ben Podgate?’’ ‘‘Shut up, Tom !’’ replied the chief, in a tone that was almost savage. It was clear that there were claws beneath the velvety paws he had been using. | The hoodlum had used a name which had not been heard before by the prisoners; and this appeared to have roused the anger of the profes- sional robber who was managing the affair, for Tom stammered out that he forgot. The assistant was sorry that he had used the name; but his regret did not appease his wrath at the mention. of the share he was to receive of the plunder. ‘“Don’t you mean to give me more’n a thousand ?’’ repeated Tom, but this time without using any name. - ‘‘ That’s more than you have earned,’’ answered Poddy, in a surly tone. ‘‘T won’t stand it !’’ protested Tom. ‘‘ If that’s all I’m to have, I don’t do nothin’ more.”’ ‘“If you don’t pick up the oars, you will not get anything,’’ added Poddy sternly. ‘“I won’t do nothin’ more till I know how much I’m go’n’ to have of the swag. I’ve been workin’ like a dog for a week gettin’ things ready; and now you are go’n’ to put me off with a thousand dollars. I won’t stand it !’’ ‘“If you don’t take the oars, you will sleep the rest of the night on the bottom of the lake ; and you will have time enough then to rest your- self,’’ added Poddy, as ‘ took a revolver from his pocket and pointed it at his rebel associate. | ‘“Do you mean to shoot me?’’ demanded Tom, as he picked up the oars. ‘‘I would shoot you as quick as I would a mad dog if you don’t mind. Now, pull away, and don’t open your ugly mouth again.”’ Tom Sawder could not stand up against this kind of discipline, and he re- newed his labors at the oars. The chief was not in a pleasant frame of mind, though he had easily carried his point. ‘The prisoners were not inclined to say anything under these circumstances ; Poddy was apparently as ready to shoot a man as he was to rob a bank. Silence prevailed for a short time, and then the leader appeared to have recovered his good natured mood. ‘“I suppose you are tired, Tom; and perhaps these young gentlemen would like a little exercise, as I am sure they are skilful oarsmen,’’ said he, when the hoodlum’s powers seemed to be failing him. ‘lam willing to row for one ; but I should like a share of the swag, as you call it,’? added Dolph. ‘“So am I, on the same terms,’’ said P} Both of them still ‘had a vision of a steamboat floating in their imagina- tions. . GOMIGDOOKSEEO