Jack and His Seven Foes — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

£0 JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. They carried knapsacks containing ammunition, and rifies, revolvers, ml bowie-knives. Their food they had to find during the day. The Pantaloon had groaned as the | train rattled along, for it never went fast enough for him, but now that he was clear upon the plain, he breathed with more freedom. ‘‘ He can’t have followed us,” he said. “No, old gibbet,’ said Makepeace Jiober, giving him a playful dig in the ribs. ‘‘ He reckoned on your stopping in the old spot. But we’ve done him.” ‘Tt makes me savage,” growled the Panther, ‘‘ to think that we can’t stand and face him.’’ “It does look sneaking like,” said Jibber; “but sneaking, after all, is a matter of taste. Some like it, and some don’t.”’ _ He was their guide, and professed to know the country. After leading the way over a semi-barren plain of half-a- score miles, he brought them to a pretty stretch of rich land. | ‘“‘ Here,” he said, ‘‘1is land enough for half a nation, but I don’t think halt-a- dozen men are squatted on it.” ‘“‘There’s a hut yonder,” Swageerer, pointing to a etructure half concealed by a grove of trees. ‘We'll put up there for the night, ? said Jibber, coolly. “You know the owner?” “No, I don’t; I ain’t been here for three years, and there’s sure to have been a change?”’ ef Why—was it an old man, then? ”’ ‘Old or young, it’s the same: a new party comes up, and if he’s strong enough he takes, if he isn’t he goes on farther.” There was a significance in these words that made the Swaggerer shudder. “Ts it such a terrible country?” he asked. “That and nothing less,” reply. They went up to the hut in a body, and Makepeace Jibber knocked at the cloor. After a short delay, it was opened, end a tall, powerfully-built man stood before them. “Wal,” he said, “ what now P”’ “We have come to put up for the said the was the wooden night,’ replied Jibber, keeping an eye on every movement of the man. 3 ‘““In—deed !”’ said the other. I’ve no room for you.” “But we must come. in,” Jibber. ‘No, you don’t,” was the cool reply. “ There’s a place two miles up where you can do as you like. It’s owned by a man who's just lost all—his wife and children—with fever, and he won't fight.” | “And you will? ”’ said Jibber. 2 Wal, Til try, unless you make tracks,’’ was the reply. «Then I think TIL go to the widower,” said Jibber. | “Wise of you, if your life’s worth keeping,’ said the man, with a laugh, and closed the door. “Talk of five being afraid of one,” sneered the Panther. “T wonder what this is?” “You darned fool,” ‘‘ where were your eyes? ”’ “In my head, I suppose.”’ “Then take ’em out and use ’em next sy Wal, urged said Jibber, — time. There were half-a-dozen others a in the but. I saw their rifles in the — corner.’ It was a long two miles before ee | came to another hut, but once therethey found the man who had lost all he — had. He was seated by the door, staring at the expanse before him, and he paid no heed to their arrival until Jibber laid a~ hand upon his shoulder. “Who is it?” he said, ee up vacantly. 3 “Friends, who want shelter for the night.”’ 7 “Go in yours.” It was a rough place, j attempt had been made to furnish it ~ , he answered, ‘‘ the house is comfortably, although there were signs 7 of recent neglect, and the room had a | disordered appearance. 4 Makepeace Jibber made himself very © much at home. Having put some wood — on the fire, and hung the kettle over it, | he went into a back room to forage for : food. a He speedily came back with some ham and bread, and a bottle of spirits. While they were eating and drinking, the owner of the hut came in. | COMIC 0)(6)() KS but some ~ COM