The Red Cloud chief., 1888-07-13
"Me-Jocxey Todd"


for his pistol, but in q second Jockey Todd
was on him and held his hand in q firu
grasp. There v-ls q sharp struggle OF
moment ami 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 anG
I'll do it."
Il ain'tdrunk. I shoot this well myself
mind that. You never was nothin' but
well-butcher, anyhow"
Il tell sou il YOU pick up . can Of glycer
inc tonight you'll drop il, and that'n be the
end of you"
Stand out of nv road"
Grip made q lunge forward. Jockey Todd
avoided the blow and returned it. Grip fell
back on . stone and lay there still.
Jockey Todd sOon found the giycerine and
the 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 of the petroleum he was met with the
command: Hands up, Grip Jervis! I've
caught you at last"
LeOna. crouching behind q clump OF
bushes. heard the words, aud shiverei in
fear, for it would be like Grip to show fight,
and perhaps be killed.
I'm not objectin' to hold up my hands;
but I'd like to inform you Mr.. Perkins, tina;
you've got the wrong name"
''Well, I'll be t~orpedoed." exclaimed the
detective, IF it isn't Jockey Todd"
''rhe same."
We'll. I'm done up!' Perkins CALCULATED,
putting away his revolver.
Il was sure l had Grip Jervis," he con
tinued. ''You see, Grip was in Hartford
this afternoon. and got drunk. He did q lot
of talking. and said he was going to shoot q
well on the Sextuple Tract tonight. fol-
lowed him, but he gave me the slip. So !
could do nothing but watch the gas jets
from the top Of the hill. When I saw this
one go out. I made q bee line for here. !
got here Just IS you were lowering the shell ;
after you dropped the weight, l 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. I guess you'll have to come along
with me. Todd"
IAN right, Perkins. Wait till I get nv
hat
He led the way to the engine-house, care
full to keep the derrick between Grip and
them. Entering the engine-house, he reap
peared in . moment with his hat on, and =
coat over his arm. Guess I'd better light
up" he said.
Striking q match, he fired q long pine
stick. which he thrust into hes 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. It 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 neal stepping On q man. and ut
tered low scream when she saw Grip lying
before her.
Bending I'VE him. she caught him by the
shoulder to wake him. It was hard to do.
but at last he gruntej and opened his eyes
stupidity. THAT you. Leona! Breakfast
ready!' he asked. huskily.
Get up, Grip. You have fallen and hurt
yourself"
Staggering to his feet, he looxeu around
in a dazed way. Presently he said. ~, 1
know! Where's Jockey Toddrr
.'Eone."
HE got afraid and rum"
'.Whyr'
I'VE had a fight, and he knocked me down.
I was tight. or he couldn't have done it."
LeOna became strangely excited, Yet she
seemed calm. and her voice, although con-
strained, was even when b said: 'Y0u
came here to shoot the well. and Hiram
wouldn't let YOU. because you were too
drunk. You fought him, and he knocked
you down"
Eyes. that was 8. way; but I'll get even
with him"
What for!-keepin' You from bein' ar
rested!'
What do you mean" Grip stared at her
blankiy.
THAT Perkins arrested Hiram for shoot
in this well. Perkins thought he had you
Vt first"
"And didn't Jockey Todd squeal on me.
'.Never said a word about you. Went
right along, and kept Perkins from lookin'
around"
Grip hung his head and was silent . long
while. When he spoke again he said:
well, that's what 1 call the square thing.
A man amt come it over me that way.
though. I'll tell Rogers the whole story,
and I know he won't push Jockey Todd"
Leona Il Onl.. Come, Gr1p, let's go
home"
Grip was 50 taken up with Jockey Todd's
generosity that he never thought to ask
Leona what she did there.
Next day Grip did tell the whole story to
Colonel Rogers. and, a he had predicted,
Jockey Todd was not proceeded against.
Grip was offered and accepted . position
with the torpedo company. That night he.
LeOna and Jockey Todd sat down to supper
tOsether.-Akzander l.. Kinkead, in Hdvpev's
Weekly.