The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-02-17

in q little bit of timberland.
We had worked day or so in the
shafts sunk by the miners of the camp,
for the novelty of the experience, and
when we discovered this opening, one
of us suggested that we put blast in it
and see if we could lay bare any veins of
precious metal. The proposition was
received with favor, and we settled on a
day for the experiment.
On the morning of that day, we set
out for the promising spot, Monti carry
ing a can of powder and other accessories
for the blast. Hugh and took our guns
with us. We reached the spot in about
an hour and half. Then Monti dropped
his load at the edge of the fissure, and
we started to prepare the blast. But our
drill was missing. 1t had either slipped
from Months load or been left behind.
"Monti," said Hugh disgustedly, "get
back to the cabin, as quick as your thin
shanks will carry you, and bring drill.
Look along the ground, too, as you go
you may find ours dropped by some
stone"
Isl, senor," the fellow returned.
VIC Will luhC u luh uONh VIC
ravine for game while you are gone
hey, Cad" Hugh added.
"All right" 1 exclaimed.
"And l will try snooze here, mean
while" said Jack.
He stretched himself lazily upon a
messy knoll as he spoke, threw his coat
over the powder keg for pillow, and
puffed at his corncob contentedly. 1t
was pleasant spot for nap. A stunted
little maple gave him shade; the stream
flowing through the rocks, ten feet dis
tant, sang melodious, sleepinducing
lullaby.
"I should have bad dreams with such
ead-rest" said Hugh looking down at
Jacks blond locks and smiling face.
sAnd I, too, senor," added Monti.
"You won't forget to put that pipe
out9"
"Oh, no, laughed Jack.
We separated then. Monti hurried
off toward the cabin and Hugh and /
walked up the rayine.
''If we get anything out of that hole
in the wall, what do you say making it
into wedding present tor Belle Has
tings2" asked Hugh, as we went on.
"a first-clas idea9" exclaimed.
''It may be gorgeous dinner SET"
''0r glove buttoner."
"Yes," laughed Hugh.
We went on a little further, and our
way was finally barred by steep ascent.
l proposed that We return to Jack.
High was willing and we retraced our
steps.
We said little. Each was on the alert
for game. A rabbit would make very
acceptable stew, but not single cotton
tail crossed our path. Hugh tugged at
his refractory mustache spitefully in his
disappointment as he preceded me.
A walk of ten minutes brought us to
the bend in the ravine where Jack
awaited us. When we turned it we be-
held tableau l shall long remember.
Jack lay sleeping quietly and over
him bent the pauther-like form of Monti.
The greaser's sallow face bore 6endish
smile. He rested on one knee, and in
his right hand he held a burning match.
He had not heard our approach, and he
was on the point Of applying the match
70 u DiL VI AusC nO nav AhoIANSd III NLS
stopper of the powder keg on which
Jacks head rested.
Hugh threw his rifle to his shoulder
and pulled the trigger. Monti sprang
back and fell with low groan. would
have fired if l had not just unloaded my
weapon. Jack started up and looked
about him in surprise.
"Your Spanish professor was getting
a little too olficious" exclaimed Hugh
grimly, to him, as we came forward, and
he told Jack of what we had caught
Monti at, while made sure that the
treacherous villains match had not ig-
nited the fuse.
"What's up herel" cried one of three
men, from the camp, coming upon us
Just then. "We heard a shot"
Monti lay groaning and cursing by the
naples roots, and crying out that we
had tried to murder him. So I told
them the facts of the case; and Jacks
pocket book which fell from Months
pocket confirmed our suspicion that
Montl intended to rob Jack aud have the
powder explosion cover his crime. The
miners listened attentively to the ex-
PLANTATION, aud then one of them seized
the wounded greaser and started off
campward, beckoning for his compan-
ions to follow, which they did, after a
"Good by, gents, to US.
S''A miss is as good as a mile, cried
lack shortly -"