Jack and His Seven Foes — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

124 “ But you are alone now?” said the Swageerer. “Only for a few days. They’ve gone on and left me in charge of the hut. I’ve to hunt, and get in some provisions, and I’ve got a tidy stock of dried buffaler in the next room.” “And when do you expect them back ? ”’ “Maybe to-day, to-morrow, next week, or not at all, there’s no knowing,” he said. ‘‘ Now tell me your yarn.” The Swaggerer, unlike him, began with the truth, and told the story of the sinking of the “ Rattlesnake,” at which Jim Black laughed hugely. “That was neatly done, and worthy of you,” he said; “lor’, how I should have enjoyed it.” Then the Swaggerer went on to say that they had seen Jack in New York, and as they were travelling with a large party, he had been able to follow them, and pick off the Pantaloon. “The old man would dawdle behind,” he said, ‘‘and it served him right.” “But where’s your party?” asked Jim Black. ‘“‘ Gone exploring, like yours.” JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. “And they left you behind ?” “Yes, and as they didn’t show up we followed and got abroad. We had lost our way when we found you.” “A lucky find!” “Lucky all round,” the Swag Yr ao erer said, exultingly ; “what a set of fools we have been to be afraid of that cub. Jim, old man, I’m proud of you.” It was strange, but each liar believed the other, and drew some consolation from the presumed discovery that Jack was not so formidable as they had believed him to be. The whisky passed round, and they were soon boasting and bragging. Even the Sneezer got bold, and talked of “taking a stroll outside to see if that cub was about,” but drunk or sober he was too cautious to run such a risk. So they drank, and boasged, and laughed, and sang until they one by one stretched themselves on the floor, and sank into a sodden sleep. Brief triumph this. Already Maple Mountain had lost its young hero, and Jack and his two faithful followers had taken up the trail. CD WAAUOAINON COON LOA. 0.22 CONLIN —f CHAPTER XLIX. THE NEW COURSE—IN SIGHT OF THE LAND OF SILVER-—-THE SNEEZER WARNED. Jim Buack’s friends, wherever they might be, did not turn up during the next two days, but this did not trouble him much. He and his old companions were on excellent terms with each other, and their future plans were laid. “To Nevada!’’ was their watchword, and on the morning of the third day they set out. The Sneezer was made light porter for the party, and carried on his back the skin of whisky and some rough cooking utensils. He grumbled, of course, but he muttered to adder ears. A sense of elation was upon the Swaggerer. Jim Biack’s story had, as it were, set him up again. He was amazed at his previous cowardice, and felt, as the say- ing goes, ‘fas bold as brass.” He now tried to persuade himself that he was anxious to meet Jack, and bring matters to an issue, but that was all nonsense. | In the depths of his heart the old cowardice, the bully’s curse, still nestled. It was a long Journey they had before them, but they entered upon it with a hght heart. All had arms, and Jim Black had been very hberal with a store of ammunition he had been left in charge of. ‘And not far from here,” he said, ‘“ oame is plentiful.” This proved to be the case, and they lived well. The weather became milder, and the snow disappeared. The brief winter was gone. = On their way they met with travellers returning. Some were miners trom California or Nevada, and some Mormons on their way to preach to benighted people who found one wife sufficient. One elder they met spent a jovial ECORNICLOOKS COR |