The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

GOLD GRABBERS. “You are talking of a friend of mine, Mallory,” Bremerton interrupted sharply, “Friend?” A husky, jeering laugh came with the word. “A: fine friend of yours, when he sends you into such a trap as that at the Mariquita. “ You’re wonderin’ why I’m so in- terested in your movements, Bremer- ton. I gota reason. You'd ro sooner signed on with Deane than I knew of tt. ‘A telegram from Denver was relayed to me in the hills. [I came to town, and have been waitin’ for you. Since you got here I have trailed around after you, looking for a chance to give you a bit of advice. Just out of kindness of heart, that’s all.” Recalling Lacey’s remarks about Maidliory, Bremerton observed in a tone of chillmg finahty: “When I want your advice, Mal- lory, Pil ask for it.” | ““No, you won't,” the other re- turned. “ You've dropped into the lit- tle pit Deane has dug for you, and you don’t even sabe that he’s muy sialo. I allow you think i’m the villain in these here tragedies at the Mariquita, but you’re wrong.” Mallory stepped still closer. He put out a hand as though to lay it on Brem- erton’s arm, but Bremerton stepped back. New that Mallory was within arm’s reach of him,’ Bremerton could see that his beard and hair were iron gray, and that his face was old—old in ways of the world, perhaps, as well as in years. “You act as if I was a rattler,” went on Mallory, “and soundin’ a warning before { strike. Man, you’re way wide of your trail. The warning I’m giving you ts for your own good. ‘There are others who will strike if you do not listen. You're young, Lee Bremerton. Five hundred dollars a month for six months and ten thou- sand as a bonus if you make good— what are they? “ Just a bait to lure you into the same fate that overtook Griggsby! Leave the Mariquita Mine alone! You can 487 make nothing of it, and in the end it will wring you dry and toss your bones on the scrap-heap.” “Clear out!” ordered Bremerton. “Tt have none of the threats you call advice and warning.” The old man drew a deep sigh and, without a word, turned away. He passed like a specter through the pool ef moonlight and melted inte the shadews beyond. Searcely had he vanished when foot- falls reached Bremerton’s ears. Swift and catlike they came from either side and from behind. Bremerton was a man who always stood his ground. He squared himself now to meet what was to come. Vague, shadewy shapes were closing in, gli- ding toward him swiftly from three different directions. If that was Mal- lory’s game— CHAPTER III. THE SILVER BALL, THERE was no challenge, no parley. Out from among the white-trunked cottonweeds hurried fantom shapes and in grim silence fell upon Bremer- ton. One moment he saw them com- ing, and the next moment he was among them and fighting. He had only his bare hands. His assailants were armed with clubs; and one of them had a quirt, for its thongs fell stingingly over Bremerton’s face and throat. The hot blood leaped in the prospect- or’s veins. These cowards — four or five or half a dozen of them — were upen him in a crowd with their whips and their bludgeons. ne They were like a pack of wolves. Outraging every principle of fair play, they would smother him under a weight of numbers and give him no chance for hiniself. Circumstances like these were more than enough to arouse all the savdge resentment m Bremerton’s nature. In a flash he became the Lee Reckless of COMicdoo S CO@