The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-26

split upon was HASTE. This fellow was no;
well liked, being sour and slow, with an ugly,
gloworing disposition, but ho had studied
some time for the church at Edinburgh col
LEGO before IN conduct had destroyed hi.
prospects. aud no now remembered and ap
piled what he had learned.
Indeed, he had not proceeded very far,
when the master rolled carolcssly upon one
side which was done On Mountains opinion
10 conceal the beginnings Of despair upon b.
countenance. Hastic dismissed the most OF
what they had heard as nothing TO the mat
ter: what they wanted was the treasure All
that was said Of Harris might be true, and
they would have % SEQ to that in time But
what had that 70 do with the treasurer They
had heard vast Of words, but the truth.was
ust this. that Mr. Durio was damnably
frightened and had several times run of
Here he was whether caught or come back
was all one 70 Hastie' the point was TO make
an end Of the business. As for the talk Of
leposing and elccting captains, he hoped they
we're all free men and could attend their own
iTaira That was dust flung in their eyes
npl so was the proposal 10 fight Harris
"He shall fight no one IN this camp, | can
tell him that, said HASTE. 1--WE had trouble
nough 20 get his arms away from him, and
sc should look pretty fools to give them back
gain. But II it's excitement the gentleman
s after, I can supply him with more than
erhars ho cares about For have no inton
ION TO spend tho remainder Of my life in these
Mountains. already | have been too long
nd propose that he shall Immediately tell
is where that treasure is, or else Immediately
re- shot. And there, saws he, producing his
Weapon, there is the pistol that ! mean to
isen
"Coms, call you a man." cries the mas
or, sitting up and looking at the speaker
18th an aim Of admiration
~ didn't AK you 20 call me anything" re-
urned Hastie: (which is II TO bef'
"That's an idle question" said the master
Needs must when the devil drives The
truth is we are within easy walk Of the place
AMI / will show it you tomorrow.
With that, as if all were quite settled, and
'etted exactly TO his mind, he walked of 20
his tent, whittier Secundra had preceded him
cannot think Of these last turns and wrig
yles Of my old enemy except with admira
ion; scarce even pity is mingled with the
ointment, so strongly the man supported, SC
boldly resisted his misfortunes. Even at that
our. when ho perceived himself quito lost
when he saw he had but effected an exchange
f enemies, and overthrown Harris 70 SET
1astie up, no sign of weakness appeared IN
mis- behavior, and he withdrew 10 his tent
lready determined Il must suppose upon af
fronting the incredible hazard Of his last ex
Ia rFor fTI
oppression aud demoauor as he might have
eft theatre withal TO join a supper Of the
wits But doubtless within, if We could see
here, his soul trembled.
Early in the night word went about the
amp that he was sick and the first thing the
next morning be called HASTE 20 biz side, and
inquired most anxiously if he had ony skill in
Medicine. As a matter Of fact, this was
fanity Of that fallen divinity students, TO
which he had cunnlngly addressed himself
dastie examined him; and being fattered.
gnorant, and highly suspicious, knew not IN
he least whether the man was sick or
ualingering. In this state he went forth again
o bis companions; and las the thing which
would give himself most consequence either
Hay announced that the patient was in
'Ar way TO die.
For all that" he added, with an oath,
and If be bursts by the wayside, he must
bring us this morning TO the treasure"
But there were several in the camp Mount
ain among the number) whom this brutality
revolted They would have seen the master
pistoled, or pistoled him themselves, without
The smallest sentiment Of pity; but they sees
20 have been touched by his gallant fight and
nequiyocal defeat the night before; perhaps,
100, they were even already beginning TO op
pose themselves to their new leader; at least
they now declared that Of the man was sick
be should have a days res; in spite Of Hastie's
teeth.
Thenext morning he wss manifestly worse.
and HASTE himself began 70 display some
thing Of humane concern, so easily does ever
he prctense of doctoring awaken sympathy
The third, the master called Mountain and
1astie TO tho tent, announced himself 20 be
dying gave them full particulars as 10 the
position of the cache and begged them 10 SET
out incontinently on the quest so that they
might see if he deceived them, and Of they
we're at first unsuccessful ne should be able
20 correct their error.
But here arose a difficulty on which be
doubtless counted. None Of these men wouls
rust another, none would consent to stay be
nind. On the other hand, although the mas.
Ter seemed extremely low, spoke scarce above
4 whisper, and lay much of the time insens
ole, 10 was still possible it was a fraudulent
sickness; and if all went treasure-hunting, il
might prove they had gone upon a wild-goose
chase, and return TO find their prisoner flown
they concluded, therefore, 10 hang idlinc
round the camp alleging sympathy to their
reason and certainly, so mingled are ON
dispositions, several were sincerely Qf not
very deeply affected by the natural peril Of
the man whom they callousy designed TO
murder. In the afternoon, Hastio was called
to the bedside TO pray; the which incredible
as IL must appear he did with JUNCTION, about
eight at night, the wailing of Secundra an
nounced that all was over, and before ten the
Indian, with a link stuck in the ground, was
toiling at the grave.
Sunrise Of next day beheld the masters
burial, all hands attending with create ecency
Of demeanor; and the body was laid in the
earth wrapped in fur robe, with only the
face uncovered; which last was Of waxy
shiteneSs, and had the nostrils plugged ac
,ording TO some oriental habit OF Secundra's
No sooner was the grave filed than the
OF the Indian once more struck
concern to every heart; and IL appears this
gang Of murderers, so far from resenting his
lutcries. although both distresslul and On |
'uch a country perilous TO their own safety. |
oughy but kindly endeavored to console |
lim
But II human nature is oven in the worst of |
uen occasionally kind, it is still, and before
III things, greedy; and they soon turned from |
he mourner TO their own concerns The \
ache Of the treasure being hard by, although |
'ot unidentified, IL was concluded not 70 |
freak camp; and the day passed. on the part
4 tho yoyagers, in unayailing exploration Of
he woods, Secundra the while lying on his
masters grave. That night they placed no
entinel, but lay all togetaer about the
Ire, IN the customary woodman fashion, the
leads outward, like the spokes Of "A wheel.
Morning found them in the same disposi
ion; only Pinkerton, who lay on Mountains
light, between him and Hastie, had DIN the
ours OF darkness been secretly butchered.
nd there lay, still wrapped as 70 his body in
is mantle, but Offering above that ungodly
nd horriiic spectacle of tho scalped head
ho gang were that f,ornfn., a. ,.,l. .. . !