Jack and His Seven Foes — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES, : But he was not alone. By his side, and assisted by him, was a youth, who looked like one who had seen death, and was being slowly brought back to life. | “Let him have our bed, Mary,” said the man; “he’s worn out; he must sleep.” The youth looked at the woman, and tried to smile his thanks, but even that effort seemed too much for him; so he was taken into the inner room, and there lay down. — He closed his eyes and lay still. The man knelt down and listened to his soft and almost inaudible breathing. “Not dead,’ he murmured, “‘ and may not die. Poor lad! he’s had a narrow escape.’ Then the man rejoined his wife, and having again embraced her in the fulness of his joy, sat down by the fre and drank some tea she had hurriedly pre- pared tor him. “Tt’s natural for you, Mary,” he said, “to wish to know what’s happened in the night.” “T’ve seen something of it,’ she said, shuddering. “And T was in the midst of it,:” said the man. ‘I saw the earth split almost at my very feet. Great rocks fell by me, and I escaped. tow I bore the terrors, | don’t know.” “You thought of us at home, John.” “Aye, Mary, I did, and that must have borne me up. On my road I came upon this lad lyingasonedead. By the giaring fires I saw and Knew his face.” “Knew him, John?” “Yes, Mary; this is the lad whose life I, m my desperation, attempted to take in New York. He forgave me, cave me money, and you know the rest.” “Can it be so?” “Ttis, Mary, and we must not let him die. He saved all of us.” ‘“‘ He shall not die,’”’ said the woman. And thus the sallow-faced man and Jack met again. The debt incurred at midnight in a street in New York had been hand- eonels paid. Jack gave to the man freedom and a chance of retrieving his honour, recelv- ing back his hfe. But for the | He must have perished in that awiul “a sallow-faced man—*!| | arrangements with the accustomed ex- sallow-faced no more, thanks to his’ peace of mind and health -giving lite 3 5 ohn Corbay was the name of the settler, and that title he will bear for the brief time we shall be with him. | Jack was very ill—as near utter — prostration as living creature could be; — but the devotion of his nurses saved him. In two days he was able to sit up and converse 4 little. His first words were of his friends. “Have you heard nothing of them P”’ he asked of Corbay. ‘“‘T have heard no news ot anybody,” was the reply. “I have not been out since you have been here.” : ‘Ts the Silver Settlement faraway?” “Hight miles.”’ ‘““No more; I may soon beabletoget there and make inquiries.” ‘Tf you are no worse to-morrow,” said Corbay, “I will.go and make inquiries for you.” : “Why should I trouble youP ” - ‘“Ttisamatter of business. I have : fruit to sell.” 7 On the morrow he went, and learnt that the others had been saved, but that they believed Jack to be dead, and had : carried the belief to his friends. P Harold Deane told Corbay this much, and expressed his regret that they had been in such haste. ‘How far have they gone?” ‘‘Many days’ journey.” “Then I cannot go,” said Corbay ; “but something must be done.” “T will go,” said Deane; “ but mean-— while simply say that his friends are safe, and, when well enough, will come to him.”’ | With this message Jack was satisfied, and it was, without doubt, wise to give him rest at any cost; further excitement would have killed him. Meanwhile Harold Deane acted lke the thorough good fellow he was. Having secured a horse, he rode with all haste on the track of Ralph and Jacob Sturmby. Vive days and nights he had no other shelter than a tree, and on the morning of the sixth day arrived at Abel New- combe’s nest to find the bird gone. The new possessors were making their .* ’ . . : ~* > “* ~ rel . ‘= > “ a : nabs ee Se - A ae Lia . - . = . 3. + . eer en, A 4p 4% Pe OAL SS ae eee Meee vm Awe t ‘<. Bent and bustle. ECORMICLIOOKS -* > . ‘“y 4 i Oa ‘Se , « >