The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

o04 “How much are other mines in this district paying their miners?” he inquired. “Two and a half and three,” was the reply. “Then three dollars for ten hours is about the top price? ”’ “In other mines, yes, but it’s worth more to work at the Mariquita.” ‘“T understand the Mariquita is the safest mine in the district, no shoring necessary, and quarters fairly com- fortable. Why it 1s worth more to work here?” “ Because,” said Collins, “ the camp has a black name. For one thing, too much shootin’, now and then, that’s liable to go wild; for another thing, Deane got it on a plain steal, and he ought to give up as much as can be gouged out o’ him.” “As for the shooting, Collins,” returned Bremerton, “I’m here to look out for that. It’s no concern of yours nor of any of the others. As for the way Deane got hold of the property, that is none of your busi- ness. The miners are paid a good price for working here, and that’s enough.” “You can’t crowd us with no such talk!” shouted Chombo_ excitedly. “We'll have our rights or we'll have nothing. We—” “T’ll give you your rights, Gon- zales,” cut in Bremerton. ‘‘ Come to the office in ten minutes and get your time.” Chombo stared, his lean body crouching and his ugly little eyes blinking. * “Por Dios!” he gritted. “ You can’t fire me! ” “But I have,” asserted Bremerton. “You've done your last stroke of work at the Mariquita Mine, and as soon as you're paid off you will take yourself out of camp. [ll not have a cur of your stripe hanging around here.”’ Chombo had been fingering at the breast of his flannel shirt. King suddenly uttered a cry of warning. THE ARGOSY. Quick as thought the half-blood’s right hand had executed a movement backward and forward, and from his tawny fingers had shot a bright gleam of steel. Bremerton fell sidewise. The gleam grazed his shoulder, flew on to the side of the chuck - shanty, and struck and hung with a steady glitter. It was a knife, blazing in the sun, and the point was embedded in the board wall. The tragic silence that followed the knife-throwing lasted for a_ brief moment. Bremerton righted himself, lifted a hand, and the stillness was broken by the sharp report of a re- volver. The sound faded into a cry of pain, and Chombo stood reeling on his feet, his left hand clasping his right arm and a trickle of red oozing from between his fingers. “Try that again,’ snapped Brem- erton, “and I'll be more particular about my shooting. King,” he added, “take him to the office and pay him off, then watch while he gets a good start along the trail. Collins, step over this way!” Chombo was cowed and_ had nothing to say. The rest of the miners watched while King, trembling and distraught, moved toward the office iy the half-blood staggering behind im. The cyanid expert was expecting a clash in which Bremerton would get far and away the worst of it. Bremerton; however, remembered how those men had kept to the dry wash and the Mexican quarter while Big Steve was on parade, and he knew they dared not resent his treatment of Chombo. The red-haired Collins moved in Bremerton’s direction, but he came humbly and obediently, as one who had just endured a shock and was slowly recovering his wits. The su- perintendent led him aside. “How much are you getting as foreman, Collins?” inquired Bremer- ton. : “ Three and a half.” . COMicdoo S CO@