Jack and His Seven Foes — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. 99 - end, and at one of these the seven “This can’t be for us,”’ the Swaeeeret ; - ; ’ 66 vy ’ hs »»D assembled. The diggers gathered round | said; ‘‘ we don’t know anybody here. and asked them questions about the “There is no other gang of seven good luck they had found that day. working here,” replied Tucker, ‘and I Taking up the cue of their leader, | know it’s for you, because it’s about they all bragged. your claim.” They had come upon gold-dust lying “Tsit?” said the Swaggerer. ‘ Well, so thick that the earth scarcely wanted | if anybody wants it they can’t have washing. There were cartloads—tons | it.” | of it. So saying, he took up the letter and “You will want the New York militia | opened it. to escort you home with it,” said one The moment his eye caught the con- man, with a grin. “ Why don’t you | tents the colour forsook his cheeks, and send for’em? It ain’t far.” he trembled visibly. “T daresay we can take care of our- I‘ortunately for him, a slight brawl selves. I don’t know that we are afraid | at the other end of the bar drew all but of anybody here.” his six companions away. “Hullo, there!”’ cried Bilberry Tucker “What is it?” asked Jim Black. from the bar. “I forgot this. A party | “You look as if you were an Irish left it to-day, and asked me to be sure | tenant, and had got notice of evic- to give it to you.” tion.”’ He tossed the letter towards them, “Don’t cut your stupid jokes,” replied and it fell upon the table address upper- | the Swaggerer, “but read it and pass 1 most. round.” CHAPTER AL A MESSAGE FROM THE AVENGER A CHALLENGE NOT TO BE DENIED—DRAWING LOTS. Tue contents of that paper were as follows— | “To the dastard Hiram Crayton, and his six fellow-murderers,—The Avenger is on your trail, and ere another sun has of teeth, and a violent sneeze from | risen and set will call for one of you. | Wrajyor Dribbles, who showed signs of Choose among yourselves who shall be | collapsing. the first to pay the penalty of their “He's going to work on a system, en. this Jack Boldheart,’ said Jim Black, They passed it from one to the other, | “ He’s got notions of honour, and doesn't and the face of every man blanched in ant eee to take us unawares. He’s turn. a— 2 c . + one PN It came so suddenly upon them, taking “ Hush, for your life! Here he is! them in the midst of their new-found muttered the Swaggerer joy. It was like a shot fired in the Jack had come in among the motley thick of a pleasure party. band at the bar like some vision of a is ; more beautiful and nobler race than any ‘ There is but. one who could have there could boast of, his face set with written this,” said Jim Black; “and determination, his eyes ablaze with why should we be afraid of a boy ?” FR Soc “He bsars a charmed life,” said the Behind him came Jacob Sturmby, calm Swaggerer, Suuddering. , and easy, with a hand in each side- “There is no such thing,” said Dun- | pocket of his coat, and in each hand a more, doggedly. ‘The boy was lucky | revolver. to get out of his first trouble, and he Tucker recognised the stranger of the takes advantage of our being afraid of him.” “Who's afraid?”’ asked the Swag- gerer. The men answered by the chattering 3 ee conmicooolkks (CO)