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Show 154 HICIL\HIJ IIUHOIS. say they lwxc, it will hci1J us handsomely through the' uatic:1.' lt will be a good finishing stroke to our business in this quar~ tor." The plan thus bricny stated was one well understood by the fraternity, as it h:ul been practised iu their robberies more tkm once before; and it received the general approLntion. The bully, George, was opposed to leaving us alive, but he was com .. polled to yiC' Id his bloody wishes in com1lli:mcc with the more humane resolution of the rest. "I am ngainst cutting more throats than I can JJClp, George," said the cnlculating host; "it's a dirty practice, and I don't like it, as it's :1 lways so ltard for me to clean my hands and take the spots out of my brcecltcs. Besides, I hate to sec a man dropped like a bullock, never to get up ngain. 'l'hcrc's only one chap in the world that I have such a grudge ngainst th at I should like to shed h is blood, and even him I should forgive iflw was only willing to bcnclllis neck when a body meets h im, and say 1 How d'yc do 1' with civi lity." " 1Vho's that, Bill1" demanded George. "No matter nbout the name. 1f I hnvc to cut }lis throat, I don't care to trouble you to hel11 me." "l'm willing." " .. Ay, if I hold him for the knife. Enough, George - we'll try you to-morrow. You shall hnvc the pleasure of drop11ing the slip over thnt fellow witlt the long nose. Sec tktt you do it bravely. If you don't pinion his arms, you may feel his elbow, and l10 looks very much like a ch:tp that luul bone nnd muscle to spare." " I 'll sec to that-but suppose tltey refuse to dine 1" was the suggestion of tl1e bu1ly. " \Yhy, then, we must take them wlten at the drink, or as they go through the passage. You must watch your chance, and choose the moment you like best i but yon who are the strikers must be careful to move together. If you miss a minute, you may have trouble, for one will certainly como to help tlJC other, ancl it may compel us to usc tlte knife at last." " I t's a. shorter way to usc it at first," said G<'org<'. "Perhaps so - but let me tell you it lasts much longer. 'J.1l1e ~usiness is not dead with ~b e ~nan; and when you have done 'J'Im OUTLAWS. 15.5 t11at sort of th ing once or twice, you'll find that. it calls .for y:u to do a great deal more bur-;iness of different kmds wl11ch wtll be not only troublesome but disagrceal,lc. I tell ):Ou:,as I told you before, it is the very dev il to wash out the stams: . This afl'air scttlctl, oth<'rS of like natmc, but of less nnmedtate p<'rformnnce, came 11p for consitlcration; but these need not be related now. One fact, ltowever, may be stated . ' Vhcn they had resolved upon our robbery, they set themselves .down to play for the results; and, having made a Sll}~poscJ estimate of our effects, t.hcy staked their several shares m moderate sums, and won aml loit the moneys which they were yet to steal! I t may be added that my former oppon~nt, the bully .George, w~s 01,0 of the most fortunate; and, havmg won the nght from Ins comrades to the spoils which they were yet to win, _11e ';'as. the most impatient for the approacl1 of the hour when Ius wmnmgs were to be realized. J..~et us now relate our own progress. |