Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-01

could be needed, a terrible roaring noise
behind the party startled them. Faces
turned white with terror, and hearts al
most ceased 70 beat. The river had
broken loose and was now overlooking
its bank just above Silver Camp.
".sa Nyour lives, men. We amt got
no time waste" shouted one OF the
miners, and, setting the example, he
broke forth from the cluinp of bushes,
and started on dead run for the higher
land. The others did not hesitate long.
Bill Saunders was the last ono to turn
and flee, and he was heard to muttcr to
himself as he hurried through the bushes;
"He'll die anyhow. So it's all the same
But would like"
.'Come on, Bill; come o." and jack
Wiilles almost dragged the old man
toward ridge Of rocks where safety,
for the time being, was lromlsei.
a few minutes later Silver Camp was
swept out of existence by the roaring
waters. Trees, logs and liouldcrs were
tumbled from positions and washed
aloug with irresistible force. The huts
were demolished in IN instant, and lett
floating on the bosom of the turbulent
stream.
Bill Saunders stood perched upon the
rocks looking inlcntly at the Camp pa.
tiently waiting TO discover the form of
the one who hnd robbed him of his
wealth. But he looked in vain, and, rs the
wreck of the village swept down stream,
the old miner left his station on the
rocks. aud mechanically followed it, still
keeping his eyes rvcted on a certain
place. The other mlucrs did not miss
his presence, and he ran through the
woods alone, muttcriny inartlculatc
words to himself. Once or twice he
stumbled; but, picking himself up with
an exclamation Of Impotence, he hurried
on again.
A mile below the river the wrecked
huts were washed close to the left bank
of the stream a living being was cling
ing to one of the logs. and, as the float
ing raft came within twenty feet OF the
bank, the person was seen to crawl rap
idly across the few planks, and with a
desperate jump, sprawl into the water
within foot Of the land. Bill Saunders
watched the man, until he scrambled up
the steep bank and d himself in asmall
cave that overlooked the river. Then,
without word, he turned and hurried
back to where he had left his comrades.
The miners sllulked up to the natural
den where the young swindlcr was con-
ccaled, and it was surrounded before the
one within had time to escape When the
men closed in and commanded the hider
to come forth, there was no sound to in
dicatc the presence of person in the
cave. No one volunteered to enter the
place, for such an attempt would be q
foolhardy feat.
~ guess he's escaped aforc we got
here, muttered one of the miners, dis
consolately. =.
"Don't blievc he was ever in here, ;"
said second. "Bill's kinder cracked on
this subject ever since we met them fell
lers from Steal Clcarin'.'
Bill Saunders heard the remark, and
his rugged old face flushed up little.
He glanced at the speaker, aud then,
turning to the men, he said
"Boys, this amt yer quarrel an faint
right tibet ye should cndangcr yer lives.
I'll 20 inter tibet cave, an either lie or
ne IL tex sy teE die is aE5g b All lid mans
! DEATH"
7 Before reply could be made the old
miner cooked his rifle and fcarlcssly
walked up to the mouth OF the cave.
Slowly his form disappeared from sight,
and the watchers outside listened for the
report of rifle. But none came.
"Bring a light, boys. It's dark in
here"
With different degrees of establishment
they heard Bill's voice making his re-
quest. When they entered the dark
cave in body they found the old man
bending over the PROSTATE form OF the
swindcr. He was dead, kiIle by utter
nal injuries received in the river BY
his side was small package containing
$40, 900 in ln;tcd States gold certificates,
and pinned to his breast WAS aargc Wis
itinw card, on which was scrawled in Il
trembling business hand these words:
.'Give this money to old Bill Saunders
and his pard. mcnt to pay them in
full what | took from them. But we
have parted company forever now. l
hope luck will come to the miners Of
Silver Camp William Swinton, gambler,
swindlcr, nd-grabber. and gentleman
Of leisure"
"'Tain't bad o. him wishin' us good
luck" laconicalIy commented one of the
miners.
40" grinued another pointing TO-
ward the river, seeing that there amt
no more Silver Camp"
''Still, boys, I've heard it said,' inter
rupt 4 Sandy Tip, the prophet of the
Camp, "thet what's one mans loss is an
luther mans gain. So who knows but
VIC will hev better luck artcr this"
And they did. When the waters sub
sided, the miners returned to the old
place of their homes, and erected an
other village of huts. Gold was found
on the surface of the ground where the
water had washed it up, aud the dig
gings Welded good profits the first day
they were worked. The flood had been
a blessing to the men, for it brought the
long lookcd-for luck to silver Camp.
BY the unanimous consent of the min
ers it was agreed that the new village
should be christened Golden Camp, and
the name of Silver Camp gradually fell
into disuse. Tile Epoch.