Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

barous instrument tighter, and thus cause the strain upon the boy’s limbs to become the more intolerable. It was evident that just at the moment before Crenshawe appeared there had been a pause in the horrid proceedings to enable Josefo, who was exulting in his role of inquisitor, to ask a question. Crenshawe heard the answer: “ Don’t know. Can’t tell.” This was followed by a command to the blacks. In response to this, they applied themselves immediately to the rack. ‘Tony’s shrill voice again rent the air, but it had no sooner sounded than the American acted. It was no time for such a man to be discreet, or consider policy. He was on the dead run when he came in view, and his steps did not slacken as he charged up to the spot full tilt. A black at the corner of the rack was im his way first, and although the fellow was but obeying orders, Crenshawe dealt him a stinging left hand blow that sent him reeling, and leaped down after him to tackle Josefo. The tackle was short, sharp and decisive. The brutal overseer, intent upon his horrible work, had not realized that an interruption was at hand until the black man let go the rack and fell sprawling upon the ground. Then Josefo turned with a start just in time to receive two ponderous blows, one from Crenshawe’s right fist and the other from his left. Both landed on his face, and with hardly more than a gasp the overseer toppled and fell at the feet of Don Ignacio. “By Heaven!” roared Crenshawe, “ this thing has got to stop if I have to murder every white man on the place.” CHAPTER XVI.—CRENSHAWE’S REWARD. WITHOUT waiting to observe the immediate effect of his attack, Cren- shawe whipped his knife from his pocket, and stooping over the rack, cut the thongs that bound Tony to it. This was the work of but an instant, and when the American arose he leaped straight for Don Ignacio. The latter, as much surprised as Josefo had been, had risen up from his chair and attempted to beat a retreat into the hut. In his trepidation and con- fusion he stumbled over the chair, thus delaying himself for about as long as it took Crenshawe to release Tony. Therefore, when Crenshawe faced the Don the Spaniard was just backing into the hut. ” Wild with rage and feeling that nothing could stay him now, the Ameri- can leaped after the Spaniard, and came to a halt abruptly at the threshold of the hut. The Don, having gained the interior, had seized a revolver and now confronted Crenshawe with it. The hand that held the weapon shook as with the palsy, and fear glowed in the Spaniard’s eyes. ‘‘ Stop where you are,” he stammered, “ or I’ll shoot.” Crenshawe looked upon the man with infinite contempt. “Oh, shoot—shoot, you cowardly coyote,” he cried, while he raised both hands in a gesture expressive of the fact that he was unarmed, and that he defied the Spaniard to do his worst. Hearing a step behind him, he turned about suddenly with his arms still ECOMmicooolkKks