Jack and His Seven Foes — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

72 4 - One olance around to see if the coast | was clear. _ Only one man coming down the str eet. “This for him if he interferes,”’ muttered the sallow-faced man, as ie drew a revolver. He had forgotten the lock, and the click of 1t was loud enough to reach Jack’s quick ear. _ Accustomed to a life of peril for some time past, he instinctively scented danger. Wheeling round, he stood face to face with his would-be mdewen who stag- gered back a pace. Jack saw the weapons in his hands, and without parley sprang upon him, seizing him by the wrist. “ Drop them,” he said, “or TV dash your head against the wall.” ““Hands off!” cried the hoarsely. “Drop your weapons,” said Jack, sternly, and the man answered with an effort to throw him. But Jack was supple and strong, and, in a moment, the sallow-faced man felt himself come in contact with the wall, and saw stars with a vengeance. Maddened, he tried to shoot Jack, but the bullet whistled harmlessly across the street. it went very near to the man who was sauntering down, and he uttered an howl of afiright. ‘What's that P ”’ he eried. Then, seeing that he was not person- ally aimed at, he crossed the street, to eet a nearer view of the combatants. Jack now had his opponent fixed against the wall, dazed and beaten. _ “The knife and the revolver lay on the eround. Hearing somebody advancing, turned his face, and cried out— “Will you go and find a policeman : ? I want to give this fellow in charge.” lo his amazement the man _ he addressed, whom he could but imper- tectly see, uttered a shriek of affright, and bolted at a tremendous pace. But he would not have been amazed —1f he had known who it was. It was Walker Dribbles the Sneezer. Jack smiled at the rapidity of his retreat, and looked up and down the strect for another messenger. There was not a soul in sight. other, he tir > of kx > JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES, 2 et See mth Swe Sey «6 “You dog!” he said to the caller faced man, “what shall I do with your “« Mercy !”’ gasped the would-be murderer; ‘‘I was driven to it. I’m a ruined man.” Jack pushed him away, and picked up the bowie and revolver. “Stand still, or I will fire, a ‘‘ Now tell me your story.” “I am in employment,” he ened “and Dve robbed my employer. I wanted to replace the money.’ f And tried to de so in the pambline saloon,” said Jack. “Vos,” ‘“‘ And failing there, you would have robbed and murdered me P ”’ “ Tt’s true,” replhed the man, hanging his head. ‘‘1l was desperate. I am desperate, for I have not a cent in the world.” ‘“Have you robbed your masters of much P” “Many thousand dollars.” “Then I cannot help you,” said Jack, “except to save you from aprison. See, here is some money. Fly!” he said. This man stared at the handful of dollars andenotes which Jack held out towardshim. Suchmagnanimity utterly amazed him. “This is a vast country,” said Jack, ‘and there are fields of labour where a man of energy may grow rich. Go, seek one, and try to restore that which you have stolen. Take this money. Good-night.” He thrust the coins and notes into the man’s hand, and was moving away, when the other followed him. 3 ‘One moment, sir,” he said, ‘‘{—I want to say something.” “You will get no more,” rephed Jack. ‘‘ Heaven knows [I don’t want,’ said the sallow-faced man. ‘‘ You bow me down to the earth with shame by your generosity. J only wanted to ask you not to judge me by my mad attempt on your life to-night.” “T will not judge you at all,” replic Jack. ‘And you forgive meP ” “ Readily.” “But don’t forget,’ said the other, eagerly. ‘‘ Keep me in mind, for one day we may meet again, and I be abl CORNICL@C) OKS e€om