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If some one had made Emerson Crawford a present of a carload of Herefords he could not have been more pleased than he was at the result of the Jackpot crew's night adventure with the Steelman forces. The news came to him at an opportune moment, for he had just been served notice by the president of the Malapi First National Bank that Crawford must prepare to meet at once a call note for $10,000.
If Smith wouldn't do as Steelman told him, or wasn't successful in cadging, or mugged any game they had in hand, Steelman would threaten to stoush him; and, if the warning proved ineffectual after the second or third time, he would stoush him. One day, on the track, they came to a place where an old Scottish couple kept a general store and shanty.
Some time I'm liable to have to " Doble left his sentence suspended in air, but Steelman, looking into his bleak eyes, knew what the man meant. "What's wrong with him now, Dug?" "Well, he's been wrong ever since I had to bump off Tim Harrigan. Talks about a fair break. As if I had a chance to let the old man get to a gun. No, I'm not so awful sure of Shorty." "Better watch him.
"Oh I see!" said Smith, after hesitating, and rather slowly as if he hadn't quite finished seeing yet. Steelman glanced furtively at the fern-screen, and nudged Smith again. "He said if he had three hundred, he'd double it by Saturday?" "That's what he said," replied Steelman, seeming by his tone to be losing interest in the conversation.
After tea Steelman entertained the boss and a few of the more thoughtful members of the party with short chatty lectures on geology and other subjects. In the meantime Smith, in another part of the camp, gave selections on a tin whistle, sang a song or two, contributed, in his turn, to the sailor yarns, and ensured his popularity for several nights at least.
I expect to light out again pronto. This town's onhealthy for me." "Where will you stay?" asked Brad. "With my friend Steelman," jeered Doble. "His invitation is so hearty I just can't refuse him." "You'd be safer somewhere else," said the owner of the house after a pause.
Now that lanky sandy cove with the birth-mark grin it's him that's had the college education." "I think we'll make a start to-morrow," said Steelman to Smith in the privacy of their where. "There's too much humour and levity in this camp to suit a serious scientific gentleman like myself."
Steelman watched his face very close, but he never moved a muscle. But when they looked back he was leaning on his hoe, and seemed to be shaking. "Took you back a bit, Steely, didn't it?" suggested Smith. "How do you make that out?" snorted Steelman, turning on him suddenly. "I knew a carpenter who used to soak his planes in raw linseed oil to preserve them and give them weight.
Passing through the hall they saw Gentleman Sharper standing carelessly by the door of the private bar. He jerked his head in the direction of drinks. Steelman accepted the invitation Smith passed on. Steelman took the opportunity to whisper to the Sharper "I've been talking that over with my mate, and " "Come for a stroll," suggested the professional. "I don't mind," said Steelman.
He almost scowled at Gentleman Sharper's "Good-morning!" and "Fine day!", replied in monosyllables and turned half away with an uneasy, sullen, resentful hump of his shoulder and shuffle of his feet. Steelman took Smith for a stroll on the round, bald tussock hills surrounding the city, and rehearsed him for the last act until after sundown.
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