Page:Tom Beauling (1901).pdf/188

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

sional moments when he went below to shave savagely or eat savagely, he walked out the ten days of vile durance and most of their accompanying nights. His language, when he did speak—and it was only to hardened men—bordered on the improbable. His clothes hung about him loosely.

On the morning of the tenth day, a shambling giant was allowed to go ashore. He spoke to the customs officers in a weary voice, collapsed into a cab, and was jolted to the Palace Hotel. The clerk told him in a confidential tone that Mr. Dunbar and party had left an hour ago for the races. Mr. Beauling fasted and followed.

A crowd of young men and girls in lovely clothes came laughing across the paddock. A gigantic hurricane of joy swept suddenly into their midst, and scattered them as a wolf may be supposed to scatter sheep.

One man, the favored son of a Pittsburg magnate, who was of the party, said that, "Barrin' demonstrations, he and