Part 17 (2/2)
After supper Gabe left the two boys alone, as he wanted to go about and make some inquiries of an old friend of his, who was somewhere about the diggings.
As Jed and Will were pa.s.sing out of the hotel through the barroom, for there were no other egress, they were stopped by a flas.h.i.+ly dressed man, who, with several others, was playing cards at a table in a corner.
”h.e.l.lo, sports!” he greeted the lads. ”Take a hand in the game. We're short.”
”We don't gamble!” exclaimed Jed quickly. He was an outspoken lad, and never beat about the bush.
”You don't gamble? I reckon you're afraid of losing a dollar or so,”
sneered the man.
”No, but we don't believe in it,” replied Jed, good-naturedly, and preparing to pa.s.s on.
”Hold on!” exclaimed the man. ”Do you mean to insult me?”
”Not at all,” answered the boy.
”But I consider you have insulted me, when you don't think I'm good enough for you to play cards with!”
”I did not say that,” was Jed's reply. ”I said I didn't believe in gambling or card playing. I don't consider that it's right.”
”Then you think I'm doing wrong?”
”I don't think anything about you. I'm simply speaking for myself.”
”Aw, you're a tenderfoot! A milksop! Why didn't you stay back East, tied to your mother's ap.r.o.n string? Does she know you're out? Give her my regards!”
That was too much for Jed. That any one should speak disrespectfully of his dear mother was more than he could stand. Without stopping to think of the consequences of his act, he shot out his left arm, his fist caught the gambler squarely on the chin, and the fellow fell flat on his back, after a desperate effort to retain his footing.
There were murmurs of astonishment from all in the room. The boy's act was so sudden it took every one by surprise. Instinctively Will moved nearer to his brother to protect him, for he felt there would be a fight.
The gambler was on his feet in an instant. With a quick motion he drew a revolver and leveled it at Jed.
”Put up that gun!” yelled a sudden voice, and every one turned to see who had spoken. Old Gabe was entering the room. At the sight of him, the gambler's hand shook, and he lowered the weapon.
”Ah! I've found you, have I!” exclaimed Gabe, as he pushed his way through the crowd. ”Now I've got you!”
”No, you haven't!” yelled the gambler, and, with a quick motion, he jumped to one side, and out of an open window near the table, disappearing in the darkness outside.
CHAPTER XV
THEIR FIRST GOLD
Gabe Harrison turned quickly and ran out of the door. The boys, and those in the room, caught a glimpse of the old miner as he hurried past the window after the gambler.
”He'll never catch him,” observed a man. ”Can't run fast enough.”
This seemed to be the general verdict, and it was borne out by the fact, for, in a minute or two, Gabe returned, rather out of breath.
<script>