Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-02-28
Then he was wild.

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claim, that he knew of it's richness be-
fore he went away, but had to 20 on
particular business, and tho't it would
be safer to leave the impression that the
claim had been abandoned on account
of worthlessness.
He he'd no idea that anyone would
dare Jump" the claim, and he was not
only going to have it back, but the mug
gets that had been dug out of it as we'll
yes sirl and he was going up to the
claim this very minute and "6re' the
boy bodily.
Of course the miners knew that Cup.
py was lying-that he had abandoned
the claim, but, as said Cuppy was some.
thing of desperate. they did not ex-
press their thoughts in words. Neither
did they feel called upon to interfere.
This was a place where might was
right. and Cuppv and Ned would have
to settle the difficulty between them
selves. Ben Murray did protest little
but Cuppy silenced him.
'The:'s my claim the desperate a
vowed fiercely, a'an' the man as lifts a
hand to prevent my takin' possession o
ct he'd better look out, that's all. Come
On, boys, eff ye wanter see some fun.
I'm a-goin' now ter fire Their infant.
Half out of curiosity. half with faint
idea of interfering if Cuppy became too
violent, or was likely to do the boy per.
sonal injury, the miners went along,
When they arrived at the claim they
found Ned leaning on his pick handle,
gazing quietly down at big nugget
the biggest'he had found yet--which lay
at his feet.
The sharp eyes Of Matt Cuppy took
in the situation instantly. He was just
in time; the boy lad unearthed nugget
that, at rough estimate, was worth
eight hundred dollars. and, even tho
he failed to recoxer those the youth had
already taken out, he would make sure
Of this one.
Dug up another nugget out of my
my claim, hey ye. ye young thief: he
roareG. Who told we ter take possess
ion hyar, anyway-sa-ay?
Instead of being frightened nearly to
death as the miners had expected, the
rough speech Of Cuppy only caused a
slight elevation of the boys eyebrows,
and look of surprise to appear on his
face.
Ben Murray told me this was claim
that had been abandoned by miner
Matt Cuppy, l think be said his name
was-and that he was probably dead,
and that | could take the claim without
fear of ever being bothered. Who are
you:'
Me? Wal, l jest guess I'm Matt Cup
by, at yer service, an I'm jest a-goin
ter fire ye outen byar so quick etll make
yer head SWIM
NOh, you are, are you"
There was queer ring to Nugget
Ned 8 voice as he spoke. and CLINT of
fire in his dark eyes that would have
been revelation to any one skilled in
physioanomy.
Cuppy, dull-minded as he was, was
half inclined to think the boy was max
ing sport of him, for he said half inter-
rogatively:
we bet l will
Let me take this nugget. won your
asked Ned. with sudden change to a
bearing of humility.
Not much roared Cuppy. YOU
don't take nothin' with you! Ye orter
be thankful l don't break We in two!
Git, nowP
To the surprise Of all the boy did not
move. He simply threw his head back
gazed unflinchingly into the eyes Of the
desperado, and uttered four words:
When l get ready
Cuppy fairly gasped with amazement
while the miners almost held their
breath. Was the boy crazy?
Wat do ye meanT roared Cuppy
dye dare talk sassy to me-me, the
pizenest man in the mountingsT
Gold-Nugget Ned laughed contemp-
tuously.
DO I dare7 he asked. 'Bahl 1t don I
take much daring to talk to brute
coward likel Why, you haven't sane
enough to throw in the eyes of Kan
sas grasshopper, nor courage enough tt
attack a Digger Indian! You are
} big blowhard, that's what you ale, ane
bullying coward If you'd come t.
me decent, might have let you have
your claim back, but now l won't, anc
if you get it youth have to get 1T by
force-and. you cant do that, you biz
bag of wind
Gold-N Nugget Ned had talked so fas