Mohave County miner. [volume] (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918, 1890-08-09

yea recon an, fur ri starr
afore daylight"
WAL. the beds ready. You Kin
find yure way. Straight down the
hall. fust door. Mebbe you'll hcv 4
candle, Torpotns; thar's no light. you
know only that small winder up along
the wall"
Tho .rapper secuted the idea Of light.
and. hanging his rife on tho deer
antlers over the window. be strobe OF
down the hall. Jake heard the heavy
caken door closed and bolted, and then
he stretched himself out on the bench
TO wait for Dick and ruminate at his
leisure on the old trapper's refusal to
patronize home trade at . loss to his
| pocket
Possum run was mile or more
down the river from the tavern. and by
the time Dick reached the boat dark
pcss was creeping on very fast.
He spent q full minute admiring the
fish. which were indeed beauties, and
then started on the return journey.
pushing the narrow. canoe-shaped boat
rapidly up stream with long pole.
When he staggered up the slope an
hour later. bending under the weight
of the fish. q bright light shone in the
tavern window. and from the open
door foated an enticing odor Of coffee
and fried potatoes.
His father was busy over the stove,
but be looked up when Dick entered
and asked grufiiy: What kept you
SO longp Go clean the smallest bass
and we'll have him for supper. Whose
mule an wagon is that in the shed?n he
added. Seems ter me it looks famil-
iar.n
20 pap. ] clear forget to tell you"
cried Dick. Luke Carter and Silas
Heck was here while you were away
an they put up the team. and went
across the river. an they left
went across the river. did they?"
interrupted the father. why could
MT they put up here. I'd like ter knowp
However, 1t don't matter. fer old Van
King has the extra room. He's on
his way ter town to buy powder an
shot instead of-why, Dick, what
ais you? You're as pale rs q sheet"
% pap" gasped Dick excitedly az
the situation flashed over him, there's
a panther In the back room--a live
panther In box. l was going to tell
you all about it. and"
"a panther in the back room. Why
whas do you mean, ladf"
Dick began to stammer out an ex-
PLANTATION. but without waiting to hear
the end his father pulled down his rife
from the hooks and hurried to the end
of the hall. He tried the door, but the
bolt was showed. More from force OF
habit than from necessity the trapper
had made all secure before turning 10.
Then he raped gently. calling in o
low whisper, .Tor2etus. air ye there?
Git up an open the door"
A drowsy response came from with
In. Then . bolt ratified in its fasten-
ings. and as the tavern-keeper shook
the door, puzzled to find 1t still fast.
ened, an angry scream was heard. fol-
lowed instantly by heavy fall and .
scuf1ing noise.
% pap" Dick cried in an agony Of
terror. 'he's opened the wrong door
in tie dark an tho panther's got him."
The uproar suddenly increased. the
old srapper's voice now mingled with
the snarls OF the cnraged beast.
Jake threw himself against the door.
but 1t held firm. mo use, Dickr' be
grosned. Its too strong for that.
Do your best, Torpetusw he shouted.
loudly. "And now. Dick" he added.
run and try the shutter. while git up
on tie room an open the trap-door."
Poor Dick hurried with ali his might
round to the outside. but the one win
dow that gave access to the room was
tightly barred from within. The house
had been built in . time when Indian
attacks were not uncommon. and every
part Of it was strong and substantial.
With fast-beatiug heart he listened for
. brief second 10 the loud outcry that
still continued within. and then, as
voice called loudly. dick! Dick" he
pulled himself into q big tree that
stood BY the house and dropped from
the overhanging limbs to the roof. His
father was standing. Ak In hand, be-
side the open trap. from which came
-
strange, ripping noise.
I'm afraid it's all up with him.
Dick" he said. huskily, for I've called
him and he don't make no answer. I'd
60 down If could 90 through the trap.
but" he looked ruefully at his mus
cular bulk and then at the narrow door
cut between the heavy beams. Dick
stood still in mute despair. What
shah we do, papp" he cried. Sudden
ly daring plan flashed into his mind.
Hold on, papw he shouted; and
throwing himself into the tree he
dropped quickly to the ground. He
was hack in two minutes with big
coil Of rope and couple Of resinous
torches, such az are used for deer
stalking at night. He cut the rope in
two with the AK. and fastening one
part with nervous fingers under his
arms he made running moose on the
end Of the other.
"Eow, pap" he said brsvely, 'let
me 70 down through the trap quick,
and light that pine torch for me. Tho
panther won't touch me when I'm car
rying fire. an can slip the rope over
his head Just a easy as anything.
His fisher hesitsted. 1T won't do,
Dick. I'm afraid it's teo late anyway.
Well have to smash that door in with
. log"
Just then faint cry for help came
from the darkness below. "Do your
best, Torpe.us. he shouted down and
then. laying hold OF the rope, he