Jack and His Seven Foes — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

JACK AND HUIS ———— Sneezer, ‘ but you ain’t fool enough to think it.” To this the Swaggerer offered no reply. He could not readily tind a denial, and an admission of the truth of it would not have done at any price. At night, then, we find the Sneezer pacing up and down outside the snowy wall. The stars shone brightly over- head, and a piercing frost ‘treezed his very bones. Under his arm he carried a rifle, property of Makepeace Jibber, who, handing it to him, gave the follow oe instructions ‘Tf you see a man moving our way, ae ' SEVEN 109 OES. ho ee eer ———EE shoot him first, and then ask him what’s his business here.” “Dil let fly at him,” replied the Sneezer, “but [ won’t promise you that IT hit him.” The tired men lay close together for warmth, wrapped in such extra garments and blankets as they were possessed of, aud ere long they were all asleep. But not tor long. Barely had the sleepers fallen into their first dream, when the report of a rifle was heard, and the voice of Sneezer shrieking— ‘“ TLelp—help ! —help !—atchew !”’ Murder !—atchew ! COU EAA EDI? CUM EO EAM tO tm Pd PP EPPNDI LDV EM COI LCMLM tM in + + CHAPTER ALITI. NOT MUCH TO BE ALARMED AT-——A NEW ALLY AND A NEAT LITTLE Ox hearing the report of the Sneezer’s rifle, another stampede in the camp was imminent, but Makepeace Jibber, with more presence ot mind than the rest, came to the rescue. ‘Steady there,’ he roared; think you are durned rabbits. what’s the row there ? ”’ But the Sneezer only answered with his nose, and, judging by the sound, was rolling in the snow, sneezing his head off. Makepeace Jibber went to the snowy parapet and peeped over. At a short distance he could see the form of a stranger, dimly defined against the snow-covered plain. ‘““Who’s there?” he cried, covering the stranger with his rey olyer; § ‘ speak, or I'll begin to make a cullender of ‘don’t horse you.” ‘It’s a friendly greeting this, send I may die,” replied the stranger. “It’s enough to tempt me to come again and help you, comb my back if it ain’t.” ‘“Are you alone?” asked Jibber. ‘Of course I am,” was the reply. “Then come forward, hands down, and show yourself.” “Oh, atchew !—atchew ! ” Sneezer; ‘it’s is come !”’ ‘What sort of crittur is this?” the stranger asked; ‘‘l came along, and I spoke friendly. Then he lets fly at me, me he wants—my time | — ——— eee gasped the | ee PLOT. and tumbles down on his back as if I'd riddled him.” “Tet him have his roll out,’ said Jibber, “and come over here. You see we are strong enough to stop any non- sense.” “You are,’ replied the stranger, as he calmly surveyed the men behind him, now quict enough, and ranged in an uneven row, with their weapons handy. He came over the parapet, and turn- ing to Jibber, stretched out his hand. SS aie db, . seasare. “J hope it is honest,” replied Make- peace Jibber, “for we are all honest. here. ‘Too honest to make much head- way in this ere sinful world.” The stranger grinned. “Feel my grip,” he said. “TY have it,” replied Jibber. «What's it hke ?” “True grit; and now what's your name ?”’ “Slideaway Bunks, junior, and my home is Maple Mountain yonder.” There was a movement of surprise among the party, and more than one weapon was raised towards him. Slideaway, junior, hastened to explain. “T’m no friend to that youngster,’ he said, and stooping down, he held his head towards Jibber. “ Feel that.” Jibber put his hand on the back part of his cranium. EO JOO gs) Co