Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-15
copyright. 1903. by S. S. McClure.J
CHAPTER vII.-CoNr1NUED.

CHAPTER VII.-CoNTINUED.
He made an effort and scrambled to
his feet, but it was apparent that he
was half dazed by the blow and the
liquor he had been drinking. He at
tempted to draw a revolver from his
belt, but by this time he was surround
ed by angry men who had been at
tracted to- the spot by the cutlery.
He was seized by a dozen pairs of
hands and his weapons removed. AT
first he attempted to struggle, but the
muzzle of a revolver pressed close to
his temple and a few cries of Lynch
himi" completely sobered him, and he
now looked fearfully about him at the
stern faces which beset him ON every
side.
"What1l we do with him, boys?"
shouted broad7shouldered giant who
appeared to be a leading spirit.
Hang the scamp!" cried voice near
by.
"Nonsense!" returned the big fellow.
what tenderfoot is talking now! It's
no hanging matter to kiss girl. Let's
duck him in the salt water!"
A wild yell of delight greeted this
proposition, and the trembling wretch
was dragged off toward the beach with
out ceremony.
Tom and his friend were about to re-
turn to their tent when a hand was
laid timidly On his arm, and he turned
to find himself confronted by the inno-
cent cause of the trouble, who said,
frankly:
81 thank you, sir, for your help. The
man seized me from behind so suddenly
that I screamed before l knew what I
was doing. My fathers tent is close
by, and 1 just came out after some
water"
Tom gazed with admiration at the
girl before him. Some one had thrown
an armful of wood on fire short dis
lance away, and by the Pickering light
he could see her distinctly. She was ap-
parently about 10 years old, with low,
broad forehead, large blue eyes, which
met his freely, cheeks flushed with the
excitement and a mouth which, while
too large perhaps for classic beauty,
looked none the less bewitching. She
was dressed in a tight-fitting waist and
short skirt, her ankles protected by
leggings, while a pair of stout shoes
covered her feet.
glance as he replied:
That's nothing. I happened to get
here first. Would you like to have me
see you safe to your tent?"
The girl laughed and said, quickly:
sob, there's no danger! was care
less. I've got a revolver, and I know
how to use it. / shall look out after
this. The man was drunk, anyway.
I'm safe here"
AS she spoke she nodded brightly at
Tom and turned to go, but at that in
slant a middle-aged man hurried for
ward and exclaimed:
"Clarai What is this hear? Who
has
Its all right, father" interrupted
the young girl, laying her hand affec-
tionately on his arm. There's nothing
the matter at all. A man had been
drinking and tried to interfere with me,
but this gentleman knocked him down.
Then the rest came and took the rascal
off to duck him; that's all"
That's enough, I should say" was
the reply, and turning to Tom, the man
extended his hand, saying:
81 thank you, young man. It's the
first time I've known woman to be in
suited here, and I'm glad you came to
my girls aid SO promptly. I'm obliged
to you. Perhaps I can do you a good
turn some day. I'm an old miner, and
you are probably new at this sort of
life. Where are you from?''
|'Pm from New Hampshire" replied
Tom, who could not keep his eyes from
the girls face. 'My name is Scott, and
this is my partner, Mr.. Green"
my name is Avery" said the strang
er, land I'm from the east, too. Drop in
and see me tomorrow. That's my tent
over there. Good night. Come, Clara"
There had been something strangely
familiar in the mans tones to Tom, and
when he announced his name the truth
burst upon the young man all at once.
"Wait!" he cried. "Avery! Surely
you must be John Avery's brother!"
The elder man turned with an excla-
nation of amazement, while the girl
cried:
so, father! He knows Uncle John!"
What do you know of John Avery 2"
said he at length, looking Tom full in
the face as if he doubted the evidence
of his own ears.
81 sailed with him from Boston last
winter" was the prompt reply. 'tMr.
Green, here, was the second mate of the
vessel. We came round Cape Horn"
"And where is he now?'
Tom was silent. He knew not how to
tell the sad news, and looked helplessly
at his partner, who dropped his eyes.
''Wiy don't you speak? Has anything
happened to him?"