Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-05-07
1Che JQGGI |. ]! ):


He drew from under his belt a pouch
made Of kipSkin, which Is the finer Skin
flayed from the face of the kline K
make q soft leather between calf anC
cowhide It was well filled with golc
pieces which Carlot had saved from
the period Of his partnership with Mira
fuego.
But he could not have been wholly
himself, Chariot the mountebank. Il
at sight OF the astoniShed faces Of the
group q flash OF the Snowman, thS
chariatan, had not possessed him. He
freed the thong round the neck Of the
pouch, took out a gold piece and hold
ing 1t between thumb and forefingeY
raised it to his mouth and appeared "a
swallow 1t, showing his empty hand.
One piece only I shall save" he
said, and when we have need Of II
presto abracadabra =" he
reached with the other hand to the
girls lips from between which the coin
She recoiled a little. with a startled
look Chariot smiled at her. She
steadied, and he touched the charm
between her breasts. She clutched 1t
and he stepped back. "Abracadabra
presto :" He drew his own
amulet from under his shirt, held it a
moment before her dazed eyes, then
dropped IL back again and handed the
pouch Of gold to the bewildered trader.
4 buy them all, Senior, he said.
The blood had poured into Black
Jacks face, showing another reason for
his sobriquet. Startled though he was at
the last trick he was not so easily TO
be set aside in the sudden fresh rush
Of his desire. Perhaps also the wealth
possessed by this new recruit OF La
fitteS whom he deSpiSed for a penni-
less fugitive, may have played some
part.
He whipped out his hanger, a cut
and thrust blade that was longer and
with less "tarVe" or curve to 1t than the
usual seaman's cutlasS. BE off aboard
fripon," he Snarled, before beat you
first with the fiat of this, and then
serve you with the edge"
Chariot smiled at him. Il have waited
for this moment, fumier de lapin. Your
mother was a hamstrung camel and
your father a braying jackasS. That is
why Jean Lafitte sent you to fetch him
a cargo of hemp and sinking fish. You
we're not man enough TO offer to fight
FL Saltimbanco with the sword, but
stuck a knife into his shoulder to
l shall serve you the same. 1t Is Mira
mouth Of Chariot, myself.
It is possible that this torrent Of
abuse might have given pause
to the bully Of the bayous If Chariot
had not whipped out his own weapon
with which Black Jack had pro-
vided him as bodyguard. Chariot did
more than whip it out. The Snowman
fencer so asserted itself that he drew
himself up and went through the elab-
Orate flourishes of the grand salute.
With his courage still more shaken
by this parade, Black Jack thought
of his pistols. He snatched
for one of them with his left hand. |
still holding the cutlaSs in his right. |
But Chariot was too quick for him. /
lie Sprang in and thrust at the back Of |
he thick hairy hand, TRANSMITTING 1t 1
With his point. The pistol fell to the |
sround when Chariot slashed at the
)ther, cutting 1t from the sash with |
nut injury to the wearer. Black Jack re-
reated on guard and mad with pain
nd rage, but still more terror stricken |
He was backed out Of the stockade,
md Chariot pressing him closely
orced him willy nilly to fight. Yet he
ound time in passing TO whip up the
wo pistols and to thrust them through
lis belt. Also he kept a wary eye on the
ther two sailors, who had in them even
ess craving for sword play than had
heir blow-fish of a skipper.
Once clear of the enclosure, sheer
forced Black Jack 70 put
n defensive fight Of sorts. He was
lot so bad for a ci-deYant butcher Of
uman flesh, while Chariot was more
encing juggler, piercing finger rings
nd catching potatoes on the tip. than
wordsman- The issue might have been
oubtful but for the elan IN which
'harlot suddenly found himself, and
lack Jack was entirely aware that this
'as his opponents great hour.
There was no move for interference
Y any spectator Everybody loves to
Re bully worsted, and the interest Of
one there marched with Black Jack:
not that Of the fat mestizo
-ader who was covertly weighing the
ipsktn pouch in his hand. A fortune
n five old Indians and an ocelot Of
a Indian girl
Chariot fought In the Spanish fashion
lught him by Mirafuego, and pressed
Is offensive. Black Jack kept giving
round. He had no great skill, but he
as quick and strong and would be
ow to tire. With the play his courage
'tllrned, especially as he perceived that
Is adversary missed or passed by re-
eated opportunities to run him
trough.
For even in his ardor and hatred Of
le man, Chariot kept his head as clear
nd even as If performing some dan
srOus stage trick; knife throwing or
Iggling while balanced over a plat
rm set with sharp spikes. The ar