The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-08-10

derrick in turn, n did not seem to discover
the marks left by the glycerine man who haf
hidden the explosive: AT last the moonlight.
err struck a match. BY it's light Jockey TodC
recognized Grip Jervis. Moreover, he saw
that Grip was drunk.
soon Grip found what he was searching for
and turning his back to the derrick, began to
pace OF a distance. counting aloud, "Onetw
(hic) three" Then Jockey Todd ran out
of the engine-house toward him. Grip stopped
and faced about. He was so intoxicated
that he could not stand erect. who's
that?"
"Me-Jockey Todd"
"Stand where (hic) you are" Grip felt for
his pistol, but in a second Jockey Todd was
on him., and held his hand in n firm grasp.
There was a sharp struggle of a moment, and
Grip staggered back unarmed.
Jockey Todd put the pistol in his pocket.
Now, Grip, listen to reason; you are too
drunk to shoot this well. You sit down and
III do it."
Il amt drunk. l shoot this well myself
mind that. You never was nothin' but a
well-butcher, anyhow"
Il tell you if you pick up a can of glycerine
tonight you'll drop it, and thatll be tho
end of you"
"Stand out of my road"
Grip made a lunge onward. Jockey Todd
avoided the blow, and returned it. Grip fell
back on a stone and lay there still.
Jockey lOud soon FOUND the glyceflne and
shell. He carried the explosive to the derrick
floor, then quickly fitted together the joints
of the shell. In a few minutes the torpedo
was filed and lowered to the rock, and he
dropped the weight.
On going out of the derrick to avoid the flow
ofthe petroleum he vas met with the command
Hands up, Grip Jervis! I've caught you at
last"
Leona, crouching behind a clump of bushes.
heard the words and shivered in fear, for it
would be like Grip to show fight, and perhaps
be killed.
Pm not objectin' to hold up my hands,
but I'D like to inform you, Mr.. Perkins, that
you've got the wrong name"
well, I'll be torpedoed,' exclaimed the de-
~tective, IF it isn't Jockey Todd.
1.-The same"
swell, I'm done upl'' Perkins calculated,
putting away his revolver.
81 was sure l had Grip Jervis, he continued.
you see, Grip was in Hartford this afternoon,
and got drunk. He did a lot of talking, and
said he was going to shoot a well on the
S~extuple Tract tonight. followed him, but
he gave me the slip. So l could do nothing
but watch the gas Jets from the top of the
hill. When | saw this one go out, l made q
bee line for here. l got here just as you were
lowering the shell; after you dropped the
weight, went for you, thinking you were
Grip. Hang it! | wish it had been him."
Leona was both relieved and distressed.
She was glad that Grip was free, and troubled
because of Jockey Todd's arrest.
We'll, ! guess you'll have to come along
with me, Todd"
"Al right, Perkins. Wait till get my
hat"
He led the way to the engine-house, careful
to keep the derrick between Grip and them.
Entering the engine-house, he reappeared in
a moment with his hat on, and a coat over
his arm. Guess I'd better light up" he
said.
Striking a match, he fired a long pine stick,
which he thrust into the stream of gas he
loosed from a pipe, and instantly the scene
was brilliantly yet uncertainty lighted.
Leona, peering through the bushes, could
see his face. 1t was determined.
After the detective and Jockey Todd were
out of sight, Leona entered the open space,
meaning to follow them. She jumped when
she came near stepping on a man, and ut
tered a low scream when she saw Grip lying
before her.
Bending over him, she caught him by the
shoulder to wake him. 1t was hard to do,
but at last he grunted and opened his eyes
stupidity. THAT you, Leona? Breakfast
reaay?" he asked, huskily.
Get up, Grip. You have fallen and hurt
yourself"
Staggering to his feet. he looked around in
a dazed way. Presently he said: "Oh, l
knowl Where's Joeky Todd?
"Gone."
He got afraid and rum"
"Why?"
"We had a fight, and he knocked me down.
l was tight, or he couldn't have lone it,"
Leona became strangely excited, yet she
calm, and her voice, although con-
strained. was even, when she said: "You
came here to shoot the well, and Hiram
let you, because you were too
drunk. You fought him, and he knocked i
you DOWN"
Yes, that was the way; but III get even
with him."
What for?-keepin' you from bein' ar
What do you mean" Grip stared at her
THAT Perkins arrested Hiram for shootin'
this well. Perkins thought he would have
you at first"
"And didn't Jockey Todd squeaI on ne?r
"Never said a word about o Went
right along, and kept Perkins from lookin'
Grip hung his head and was silent a long
while. When he spoke again he said: well
what l call the square thing. A man
rant come it over me that way, though. I'll
tell Rogers the whole story, and | know he
won't push Jockey Todd"
Leona said only: Come Grip, let's go
Grip was so taken up with Jockey Todd's
generosity that he never thought to ask
what she did there.
Next day Grip did tell the whole story to
Colonel Rogers, and, as he had predicted,
Jockey Todd was not proceeded against.
With the torpedo company. That night he,
Leona, and Jockey Todd sat down to. supper
'ogether.