The Argosy for May — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

296 chap said- there wasn’t a soul for miles around, and I guess he told us the truth. I hope that beast ain’t able to climb through that there window,” he added apprehensively. “If he does, we're a couple of goners.”’ ‘He can’t climb through it,” Leffing- well assured him. “It’s too high from the ground. - Keep up the shouting, Simon. It’s our only hope.” ‘“T don’t like to shout,” replied the other timorously. “It makes that beast so mad. Listen to him howl. It gives me the willies to hear him.” “Pooh,” exclaimed Leffingwell. ‘“'There’s no need to fear the dog. His howl can’t do us any harm. He can’t get inside.” “Don’t be too positive of that,” said Simon. ‘I ain’t as sure as I’d like to be that he can’t leap through that win- dow. I'd rather face ten men, with forty-eight-caliber guns in their hands, than that dog. I’ve felt his teeth once. and I’d rather stay here until I die than have him take another bite out of me.” But, despite his words, he joined Lef- fingwell in calling for help; and the desperate pair continued to yell for half an hour, at the end of which time they were so hoarse that they were compelled to desist. “Reckon it ain’t going to do any good,” sighed Simon. “If we were wrecked on a desert island, I guess we'd stand about as much chance of attracting anybody’s attention as we do here. I guess we're up against it good and hard, old comrade, and must make the best of it.” Gradually the- howls of the bulldog outside died. down, until, at length, they gave way to low growls, succeeded finally by complete silence. Apparently, the brute had also given -up hope—hope of gaining access to the interior of the hut, and hurling himself upon his enemies. But, after a lapse of about ten min- utes, the dog began to bark frantically again, as though something was arousing him to a fresh display of fury. ‘Wonder what’s the matter with him now,” whispered Simon. “Can it be possible that he hears anybody outside?” “Perhaps he does,” rejoined Leffing- well hopefully. “ Let’s shout again; and, THE ARGOSY. for Heaven’s sake, yell as loud as you can.” They called “ Help! Help!” at the top of their voices; and this time, to their great joy, they heard an answering shout outside the hut. “This way men,” cried a deep bass voice. ‘‘ They’re in this shack. Look out for that dog! He seems to be vi- cious.” As though in acknowledgment of this compliment, the bulldog’s snarls sud- denly became so ferocious that Simple Simon’s blood came pretty near curdling. “Get out of the way there, you ugly beast,’ cried another voice. ‘Ha! Would you? Not much. If you’re look- ing for trouble you shall have it.” There was a particularly ferocious snarl, a sharp report, a dismal howl, and then an eloquent silence. “That settles him,” said the man’s voice. “Sorry I had to kill him, but I couldn’t help myself. You fellows saw how he sprang at me. Owners of such vicious dogs should keep them chained up, or expect to have them shot.” ‘“ Hooray!” cried Simon exultantly to Leffingwell. “ They’ve shot that darned dog. Whoever that feller is, I’m his friend for life for doing it.” “Who are you in.there, and what’s the matter with syou?” shouted one of the men outside. ‘‘ Open the door and let us in.” ‘“ We-can’t,” cried Leffingwell. ‘ Our hands and feet: are bound, and we can’t move. Break in the door and release us, for Heaven’s sake.”’ ‘Better be careful there, fellows,” somebody outside cautioned. ‘“‘ This may be a stall of some kind. -Look out for treachery.” ‘Pooh! If they try anything of that sort, we'll fill every darn one of ’em full of lead,” replied the deep bass voice fiercely. ‘‘ Shove in the door, men, and let’s see what’s going on.” : A second later the door came in with a crash, and four uniformed men rushed into the hut, each of them carrying a revolver in his hand. “We're policé officers,” announced the man with the deep bass voice. ~ “‘ What’s ‘the matter here? ”’ ““Can’t you see what’s the matter,” cried Leffingwell fretfully. ‘ We’re tied MICLOOO© SS (CO)