The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

GOLD GRABBERS. he wrenched his arm free. Bremerton kicked the knife toward King and stepped back warily. -“ Tl kill you for that!” fumed Big Steve, running his words together in a way that made them almost unintel- ligible. He was losing his steadiness, and he staggered as he rushed at Bremerton. The latter moved to one side, thrust out a foot, and the millman stumbled over it and lurched headforemost to the ground. He struck heavily, and his forehead came in contact with a stone which was half embedded 1n the gravel- ly soil. A wheezy gasp escaped him, a tremor ran through his huge body, and he flung his arms wide and lay still. Bremerton stared at him a moment in silent contempt. Turning to King, he asked: “Ts this the fellow who chased the Chinaman out of camp?” “Yes,” was the answer. “ Big Steve has been on a tear ever since Wednes- day. Jove! That was-a nervy thing you did. I wouldn’t have been in your shoes for all the gold in Arizona.” “Who is he?” ‘“Amalgamator in the mill—one of the best amalgamators in the business. He has his peculiarities, though.”’ ‘““There’s no room here for a man of his stripe. When he sleeps off that jag send him to me for his time. Here, you!’ Bremerton beckoned to the men near ithe dry wash. “I need some of you.” They came forward with alacrity.: What they had just seen had inspired a certain amount of respect for the new superintendent. “Carry this man away,” ondered Bremerton. “ One of you put out my horse and bring the riding gear to the office. One minute, first.” He whirled and ran the man over with a sharp, appraising eye. “ What were you doing over there while that big rufhan was trying to massacre the little fellow? ”’ | The men shifted about uneasily. One of them finally spoke: 497 “ Pilgrim, when Big Steve's in likker we-all makes it a p’int to hide out and watch keerful. Meddlin’ with Steve at! them times is uncommon risky.” ‘‘ Mean to say you were all scared?” ‘Wall, now, I don’t reckon I’d say skeered. There’s a mighty sight of diff’ence between being skeered and exercisin’ plain caution with a madman like Steve when he’s on the rampage. I allow you plumb hypnotized him.” ‘You've been drinking, too,” said Bremerton, quick to read the signs. “ Hereafter, when any of you want to get drunk, you'll do it in Phoenix, and not at the Mariquita Mine. I’m taking Lacey’s place, understand? While I’m in-charge there'll be no whisky in camp. Remove that man and look after my horse.” “On the jump.” Bremerton pulled the saddle - bags from behind the cantle and passed to the office-door. King, anticipating a demand for the office key, had hurried to get it from the laboratory. “When things began to go wrong here; Mr. Bremerton,” he explained, “T thought I’d better lock up the office,”’ “You are Mortimer King?” 66 Yes.”’ The new superintendent stepped through the doorway into the square little room where the clerical work was carried on. King had paused to watch three of the men pick up Big Steve. Two or three articles dropped from the amalgamator’s coat while he was being lifted. One was a bag of to- bacco, another a flask, and still another Was a square of dingy chamois skin. “ Better gather up that stuff and take it along,” said King. “Hold on a minute,” Bremerton. He hurried out of the office and set his heel on the flask. For a moment his eyes rested on the chamois skin. An exclamation escaped him and he stooped and picked it up. He stuffed the chamois skin into his pocket as he went back into the office. interposed COMicdoo S CO@