Jack Norths Treasure Hunt | Page 6

Fret Offut, who said:
"Feel mighty stuck up, don't yer? But let me tell yer,'twon't do any
good."
This was the first time he had spoken to Jack since he had begun work
in the shops, and our hero made no reply.
The following day, as he was about to leave the shop at the close of his
work, Jack was accosted by Furniss, who asked him to assist him a
moment at the big hammer.
Jack started at once to his help, noticing that the building was
completely deserted at the time, except for the second boss and himself;
even Henshaw, who generally stayed until after the workmen had left,
was gone.
His surprise may be imagined then when he saw Fret Offut step from
behind a huge boiler as he approached. Still he did not dream of any
sinister purpose in the minds of the two, and he was about to stoop to
lift a piece of iron at the request of Furniss, when he discovered a bar of
iron so suspended over his head from the cross timber that a slight
movement on his part was sure to bring it down upon his head.
No sooner had he seen his precarious situation than he started back,
when Fret Offut flung a heavy slug at his feet. The effect was startling,
for the concussion on the floor sent the menacing bar overhead
downward with fearful force.
Jack succeeded in dodging the blow so far that he escaped the full
weight of the falling iron, which struck the floor endwise with a heavy
thud. But before he could get beyond its reach the massive bar tipped
over, falling in such way as to strike him in the side of the head, and
felling him senseless to the floor.

In a moment Furniss and Offut were bending over him with anxious
looks on their grimy countenances.
"Is he killed?" asked the younger of the twain.
Jack answered the question himself by opening his eyes, though he was
still too bewildered to attempt to rise.
"What did you do that for?" he demanded.
"Do what?" questioned Fret Offut. "You know well enough. You fixed
that bar so it would hit me."
"Hear the boy talk!" came from Furniss. "It is true. If I get the
chance--"
"Stop, you shan't get us into trouble," yelled the man, in a rage.
"Not much," put in Offut. "Let's teach him a lesson he won't forget!"
"So we will," answered Furniss; and both started forward to attack
Jack.
Chapter IV
Just in Time

Though still somewhat dazed by the blow on his head, Jack realized
that the unprincipled twain in their desperation would stop short of no
crime in order to carry out their purpose.
Thus Furniss had barely laid his hand on him before he was on his feet
ready to fight for his life if necessary.
Flinging aside the second boss, he turned to meet the assault of Fret
Offut, whom he caught by the collar and flung headlong upon a pile of
scrap iron and ashes still warm from the furnace.

Shrieking with pain the big youth scrambled to his feet and began to
dance around as if he had a coal of fire in the heel of his shoe.
Furniss rallied to grapple anew with Jack, but though a strong man he
found his match. Used to hard work all of his life, Jack's sinews seemed
like bands of steel and there was no breaking from his grasp.
"Help, Offut--quick!" cried Furniss, as his head was jabbed into the
midst of a box of coal. "He--he'll kill me!" spluttered the discomfited
man.
But Fret Offut failed for good reasons to heed the supplications of his
friend.
The next instant Furniss managed to get a hold on Jack which enabled
him to throw him upon the floor.
"Go to South America, will you?" cried the exultant Furniss. "Let that
settle it," and he aimed a furious blow at his victim's head.
But Jack was too nimble to remain still and receive whatever attack the
other might rain upon him, and when Furniss' fist descended it missed
its mark, to strike plump upon the sharp edge of a bar of iron, peeling
the skin on its back from knuckle to wrist.
At the same time Jack turned his adversary and, clearing him, vaulted
to his feet, carrying the other backwards by the impetuous movement
and sending him headfirst into a bucket of water.
Before he could rise Jack had caught him by the throat with one hand,
and he immediately began to "churn" the other's head up and down in
the black water, while the discomfited wretch, trying in vain to break
away, exclaimed in gasps:
"Help--don't--you'll kill me! I--Of--ut--h-e-l-p--murder!"
"Will you promise to