The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

HE WHO LAUGHED LAST. 479 ‘‘Go through him, Bill, while I keep him covered,’’ commanded Matt in a disguised voice. ‘ All right, Cinch,’’ I replied. Tucker shuddered and nearly dropped when he heard the name of the terrible desperado. I did not have to tell him twice, after appropriating a fat wallet and his watch, to make himself scarce. He dashed off on a dead run, straight for the Grizzly Bear. We could scarcely wait until he was beyond hearing before we burst out laughing. ‘Did you ever see anything like it ?’ I asked, when I could control my voice.. ‘‘ He had his revolver all the time in his hip pocket, and yet he was as meek as a lamb.’’ | ‘When we return his things to him,’’ added Matt, ‘‘and let him know the particulars of Se ‘© Hands up !”? The thunderclap sounded at my very elbow, and in the dusk we saw three men covering us with leveled Winchesters. ‘“Vou’re done up this time, Cinch! Just march along, and step lively, too !’’ | ‘IT assure you there is some mistake here,’’ I hastened to say. ‘‘ This is only a joke——”’ | ‘“A sorry joke it will be for you! Hand over your plunder, and not a word! You hear me!’’ | I tremblingly passed over the watch, and Matt did the same with the purse. The tables were turned with a vengeance! Our captors were in deadly earnest. We were evidently mistaken for Cinch Wadders and one of his men, and even though we could prove otherwise, we could not deny that we had held up and robbed an innocent person. While the sheriff, as he undoubtedly was, did the talking, his deputies remained silent in the back- ground. Mute, dejected, and despairing, we tramped down the trail in front of our guards. When were about half way to the Grizzly Bear the sheriff called out in a sharp voice, ‘Halt !”’ We obeyed, not daring to look around. ‘‘T’ll be gone only a minute,’’ he continued. ‘‘I left the handcuffs at the Grizzly Bear. Jeep ’em covered till I get back.’’ The sheriff strode past us, and quickly vanished in the gloom. About five minutes later I heard a laugh! ‘There was no mistaking from whence it came. I would have known it amonga thousand. It was Ford Oakman’s ! 7 Matt and I instantly turned our heads. Oakman and Olcott came for- ward, their weapons lowered. ‘They were fairly convulsed with mirth. ‘‘ Not a word,’’ said I. ‘‘ You’ve played it well fora sick man, Ford. It’s on us! Let’s adjourn to the Grizzly Bear.’’ ‘‘ Any way,’’ said Matt, ‘‘ we’ve got it on Tucker.’’ ‘“ But who was the sheriff ?’’ I asked. ‘“Why, Perkins, the hayseed.’’ GOMIIGHOOKSEEO