The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

He pointed to the Spaniard’s cheek. ‘‘ Ket was known to our ancestors long before the Spaniards conquered the land. He zs accursed /”’ The Indian laid his hand on the long knife at his belt; but Keeth was watching him. 3 ‘“ Not on your life!’’ he exclaimed, snatching up his weapon again. ‘‘ I tell you this fellow shan’t ‘be hurt. Disarm that scamp, Fitch.’’ The Indian sprang back with flashing eyes. ‘“'The senor knows not what he does,’’ he said hoarsely. ‘‘ Ket is at your life’s risk that you assist that man.’’ “Well, we'll risk it,’’ interposed Ford. “‘‘ But you keep your hand off that knife, my friend.’’ ‘“ You fellows go back to your places,’’ commanded the trader, ‘‘ An’ don’t let’s’ear hanny more of it. We'll make a ‘urdle to carry the poor lad on.”’ But the Indians jabbered together and did not move. ‘“ Come, do you ’ear?’”’ cried Fitch, glowering at Juan and his companions. ‘“ Does the senor leave that man ?’’ demanded Juan. : “No, sir; ’e is going with us to ’Ualpa.’’ ‘Den we not go-wit’ you,’’ declared the Indian. ‘You rascal, you!’’ cried the trader, shaking this fist at him. ‘‘ Hif you leave me in the lurch this way you'll not get a cent of your pay, hand when I get back to the coast Hi’ll make you sweat for hit, too !”’ ‘“Bueno/ It must be so!’’ responded Juan, with ashrug of his shoul- ders. ‘‘ Adios, senor !’’ He turned on his heel, and, with his two companions, passed out of sight: down the trail, leaving Fitch in a state of rage bordering on apoplexy. ‘Come, come, Fitch,’’ said Keeth. ‘‘ There’s no ‘use talking that way. How far is the next town?’’ ‘Oh, we can get to ’Ualpa tonight if this chap don’t keep us back too much,’’ growled the trader. ‘““Tll answer for him. We won’t have to carry him; he’ll ‘be able to walk, I think. Ford, you’ll help Mr. Fitch with the beasts, won’t you??’’ ‘‘Sure,’’ responded Kinsale. ‘“We'd best camp here for lunch, I’m thinking,’’ pursued Keeth. ‘* Lemme that flask in your pocket, Fitch.’’ The Cockney handed over the liquor and then went back with Ford to bring up the pack train. .Keeth forced a little of the spirits between the lips of the wounded man. He .choked, opened his:eyes, and struggled into a more upright position. ‘“Senor,’’ he said weakly, ‘‘ you haf safed my life—you and your com- rades.”’ * ‘“ How are you feeling ?’ asked Keeth. ‘“ Better—mooch better.’’ He looked hastily about. ‘‘ The Indians ?’’ he queried. ‘‘ Where are they ?’’ ‘“ Skipped out,’’ replied the American. ‘‘ Their spears were hardly of use against our Winchesters.’’ ‘‘Ah—yes. Had I possessed.a gun I should haf shown a better fight.”’ Eomicbooks (S(0) : 4 : ; 3