Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-15
CHAPTER III,

fsTS:aai flled in before dinner. 1t
49, was an hour full of danger
TO Craig's hopes of victory. for the men
were wild with excitement and ready
for the most reckless means Of sling
ing their dust" l could not but adj
mre the skill with which Mr.. Craig
caught their attention.
"Gentlemen," he called out, "we've
forgotten the judge of the great race.
Three cheers for Mr. Connor"'
Two of the shanty men picked me
up and hoisted me on to their shoulders
while the cheers were given.
Announce the Punch and judy"
he entreated me in a loT voice.
did so in little speech and was
forthwith borne aloft through the street
TO the booth, followed by the whole
crowd, cheering like mad.
The excitement of the crowd caught
me- and for an hour l sQueaked and
worked the wires of the immortal and
unhappy family in a manner hitherto
unapproached, by me at least ] was
glad enough when Graeme came to tell
me to send the men in to dinner. This
Mr.. Punch did in the most gracious
manner, and again with cheers for Mr..
Punch's master they trooped tumultu-
ously into the tent.
We had only begun when Baptiste
came in quietly, but hurriedly, and
whispered to me:
"Afsieu Craig, he's gone to Slavin's
and would lax you and M'sieu Graeme
would follow queek. Sandy, he's take
one leel drink up at de stable, and he's
80 mad lax one diable."
/ sent him for Graeme who was pre-
siding at dinner, and set off for Slavin's
at a run. There found Mr.. Craig and
Nelson holding Sandy, more than half
drunk, back from Slavin, who, stripped
to the shirt, was coolly waiting with
haunting smile.
LET me go, Mr.. Craig" Sandy was
saying. Il am good Presbyterian. He
is papist thief, and he has my money,
and will have it out of the soul Of
him"
LET him go. preacher" sneered Sla-
win. "I'll cool him off for you. But
you'd better hold him if you want his
mug left on to him"
Let him go.' Keefe was shouting.
Glands OFF, Blaney was cchoinG.
pushed my way in. whats up?"
cried.
'Mr. ConnOr," said Sandy solemnly,
sit is gentleman you are, though your
name is against you, and am a good
Presbyt terrain. and l can give you the
commandments and reasons annexed
to them, but yons a thief, a papiSt
thief, and l am justified in getting my
money out Of his soul"
But" l demonstrated, "you won't
get it in this way"
He has my money" reiterated San
dy.
He is blank liar, and he's afraid
to take it up" said Slavin i'll low, cool
tone.
With a roar Sandy broke away and
rushed at him, but without moving
from his tracks Slavin met him with
q straight left handler and laid him Hat.
"Hoorayw yelled Blaney. ireland
forever" and, Selling the iron poker,
swung it around his head, crying,
"Back, or, by holy Moses, I'll kill the
first man that interferes wild the
game"
Give it to himw Keefe said say
ngely.
Sandy rose slowly, gazing round stu
pidly.
lie don't know what hit him."
laughed Kecfo.
This reused the highlander, and, say
ing, 'I'll settle you alterward, Mr.
Keefe," he rushed in again Mt Slavin.
Again SlaYin met him with his left,
staggered him and before he fell took
a step forward and delivered a terrific
right hand blow on his jaw. Poor San
dy went down in heap amid the yells
of Blaney, Keefe and some others of
the gang.
| was in despair when in came Bap.
tiste and Gracmc.
one look at Sandy, and Baptiste tore
off his coat and cap, slammed them on
the floor, danced On them and with a
long drawn "Sap-r-r-r-riew rushed at
Slavin.
But Graeme caught him by the back
OF the neck, saying, Hold on, little
man. ana, turning to Slavin, pointed
10 Sandy, who was revivng under
Nelson's care, and said, "Wbat's this
for?'
ASK him." said Slavin insolently.
"IIe knows"
'What A" ii. NelSon?"
Nelson explained that Sandy after
drinking some ut the stable and glass
at the Black Rock hotel, had come
down here with Kccfe and the others,
had lost his money and was accusing
SlaVin Of rObbing him.
did YOU furnish him with lquor?'
said Graeme stcrnly.
ut Is none of your business" re-
piled Slayin, with an oath.
81 shall make it my business. It is
not the first time my men have lost
money in this saloon"
"You liew said Slayin, with deliber-
ate emphasis
"SIavn," said Graome quietly at is
pity YOU said that, because, unless
you apologize in one minute | Shall
make you sorry
"ApologiZe;" roared Slavin. "Apolo-
glze to yOu:' calling him a vile name.
Gracme grew white and said, even
more slowly:
"NoW you'll have to take it. No apol-