San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-27


and the tops of the huts were just visible
above the surrounding underbrush when the
form of a man was seen to skulk up from the
rivers bank and to enter one of the rude
dwelling places.
"Hist, boys, hist He's gone inter one of
the huts. Wen have him now"
1t was the voice of Bill Saunders, and it
trembled with excitement as he uttered the
words of caution. But before they could be
needed a terrible roaring noise behind the
party startled them. Faces turned white
with terror, and hearts almost ceased to
beat. The river had broken loose, and was
now OVERLOOKING its bask just above Silver
Camp.
''Save your lives, men. We amt got no
time to waste" shouted one of the miners,
and, setting the example, he broke forth
from the clump of bushes, and started on a
dead run for the higher land. The others did
not hesitate long. Bill Saunders was the
last one to turn and fee, and he was heard
to mutter 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 on" and Jack WIFI
aes almost dragged the old man along to-
ward a ridge of rocks where safety for the
time being was promised.
few minutes later Silver Camp was
swept out of existence by the roaring waters.
Trees, logs and powders were tumbled from
their positions, and washed along with ire
sstible force The huts were demolished in
an instant, and left floating on the bosom Of
the turbulent stream
Bill Saunders stood perched upon the
rocks looking intently at the camp, pa
tiently waiting to see the struggling
form of the one who had robbed him of
his wealth. But he looked in vain, and as the
wreck of the village swept down stream, the
old miner left his station on the rocks, and
mechanically followed it, still keeping his
eyes riveted on a certain place. The other
miners did not miss his presence, and he ran
through the woods alone, muttering inartic-
ulate 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 clinging to one
of the logs, and, as the floating raft came
within twenty feet Of the bank, the person
was seen to crawl rapidly across the few
plankS, and with q desperate jump, sprawl
into the water within a foot of the land.
BAl Saunders watched the man until he
scrambled up the Seap 5aCh and hid himself
in a small cave that overlooked the river.
Then, without a word, he turned and hur-
ried back tONyhere he had left his comrades.
The miners skulked up nOiseleSsly to the
natural den where the young swindler was
concealed, 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 indicate
the presence of a person in the cave. No
one volunteered to enter the place, for such
an attempt would be foolhaldy feat
II guess he's 'scaped afore we got here"
nauttered one Of the miners disconsOlately.
Don't blieve lie was ever in here, said a
second. "Bill's kinder cracked on that sub
iect ever since we met them fellers from
Steal Clearin'."
Bill Saunders heard the remark, and his
rugged old face flushed up a little. He
glanced at the speaker, and then, turning to
the men, he said:
Boys, this amt yer quarrel, an faint
right We should endanger yer lives. I'll go
inter thet cave, an either he or nell hev ter
die Eff he kills me, I'll leave it ter ye to
avenge an old mans DEATH"
Before a reply could be made the old miner
cooked his rife and fearlesSly walked up to
the mouth of the cave. Slowly his form dis
appeared from sight, and the watchers out
side listened for the report of a rifle. But
none came.
Bring light, boys. It's dark in here"
With different degrees of astonishment
they heard Bills voice making this request.
When they entered the dark cave in a body
they found the old man bending over the
PROSTATE form of the swindler He was
dead, killed by internal injuries received in
the river. By his side was a small package
containing 10000 in United States gold GER
tificates, and pinned to his breast was large
! visiting card, ON which was Scrawled in a
trembling business hand these words:
"Give this money to old Bill Saunders and
his pard. meant to pay them in full what
l took from them. But we have parted COM
| pany forever now. hope luck. will come
to the miners of Silver Camp. William
Swinton, gambler, swindler, land grabbeT
and gentkaulnn E4s A-i---'--" - -