Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-12-16

Ol Inc evening UtlcIe tHcN we're 10
leave Taylor determined 10 settle mat
tiers one way or the other, and he took
opportunity to ask:
Has it been decided yet which route
we are to take
"Certanly." replied Bob.
(Which is it?'
Look yere, stranger" exclaimed
Bob, as he fired up, has any of this
crowd axed fur your advice
Il haven't pretended to advise. AS
one Of the party. and as having fifth
interest in the treasure, am naturally
interested in knowing which route we
are to travel by"
"Whar did You cit an interest in this
gold:" demanded Bob.
LAS one Of the discoveries"
"Humph. Look ycre, stranger, you
want to 20 slow! You forced yourself
into this crowd, and it's for US to say
whether you stay or go. We don't want
to turn man out here to lose his HAIR,
but if he talks too sassy he'll hev to go.
When we get out O. this we may feel
like remembering you fur the little
you've done, and we may not. We
make no promises. Understand, how
ever, that you have no claims on the
treasure-not the slightest"
Taylor ground his teeth in rage. He
had staked all and was likely to lose all.
The thought maddened him, and had he
not been cool and calculating villain
he would have forced climax then and
there. which must have cost him his
life. He maintained silence for q few
minutes, and then said:
"Well, boys, I meant no harm, and I
hope no one has any hard feelings.
You'd have found the cave without me,
Of course, and you own the team. I'm
satisfied you will do the fair thing by
me when we get through, and 80 let's
say no more about it."
"That's sensible" replied Bob, and
the matter was dropped.
Taylor wandered away from the camp
a short distance, apparently to gather
firewood, but really to give vent to his
feelings by communing with himself.
"The fools!' he Missed when safe dis
lance away. "Not one of them will ever
leave the plains except that some one car
ries his dead body away! They don't
know me. They think I'm Cur to be
kicked or petted at pleasure, but they
are trifling with demon. They think
to beat me out of my share, but Ill take
all-every ounce!
And as soon as he had left the fire tho
outlaws drew closer together and Bob
said:
"We'd better shoot him tonight as he
sleeps. He's bound to trouble u.s."
"No-wait," replied one of the others.
"We've got long pull before us, with
plenty Of redskins in the way. Hes
plucky and good shot. When we don't
need him any longer somebody's rifle
can go off by accident and we'll leave
his bones for the wolves to pick"
1t was settled that way, and when
Taylor returned each Of the men had q
word for him. as IL to show they held no
grudge.
The night passed without alarm, and
at the first sign Of day all were up and
making ready for start. When hasty
breakfast had been eaten and the team
hitched up Taylor learned for the first
time that the outlaws were going to at
tempt to push through to Fort Sully.
They had canvassed the matter and con-
cluded that this route would be safest.
The inpour of gold seekers was more
from the west, and the Indians would
naturally gather ON that frontier. And
by following the Cheyenne river they.
would be sure of wood, water and grass
the entire journey.
Once started, the outlaws were for
pushing ahead at rapid pace, and by
noon they had cleared the foothills and
were on the open plains. During tho
day each one of the four made special
effort to be pleasant to Taylor, but he
was not to be hoodwinked by their n.y.
pocrisy. They had showed their hand
in camp, and he was satisfied that he
was to be counted ont. He felt, too,
that they were Matching some plan to
get rid of him before the journey was
ended, and his chuckle was fendish as
his fingers lovingly caressed the bottle
of poison he carried in his pocket.
There was murder in every heart, but
Gods sun shone clear and bright over
all as the party pressed forward to make
the first days distance as long as posi-
bic. Not an Indian was seen during the
day, and the outlaws were in good
spirits when night closed down and they
went into camp on the banks of rivulet
carrying its waters toward the Chey-
enne.
| When 1t came time to post sentries
Taylor volunteered to take the first
watch. He wanted to be by himself,
that he might think and plan, but his
offer was brusquely refused and one Of
the outlaws posted. This was proof that
they distrusted him, but he took no no
tice of the slight. When wrapped in his
blanket he gritted his teeth with rage
and whispered to himself:
lone insult more or less does not
count. I'll stand by to mock them when
they writhe and thirst and scream out in
their agony, and before they are dead
they shall see me drive of with the
treasure"
There was no alarm during the night,
and before shutdown the next day the
party reached the forks of the Cheyenne,
where the soldiers were in camp Be-
fore entering the camp Bob cautioned
each man to preserve the strictest secresy
regarding their adventures and the con-
tents Of the wagon, and camp was made
about quarter OF mile from the tents
Of the soldiers.
The outlaws kept sharp outlook on
Taylor for awhile, rs IL fearful that he
meant to betray them, but their sus-
picions did him injustice. He had other
plans. and they were plans to be carried
out after the encampment had been left
behind.
The outlaw leader was the only one
who went into camp and reported, and
when he returned he brought something
with him which made Taylors heart
beat with delight. It was two gals IN Jug
Of whisky which he had purchased from
q gold seekers outfit stopping on the
other side Of the encampment for the
night.
THAT perfects my plansr' he chuckled
as Bob came in with the jug. land they
are doomed menv'
Each outlaw was told to help himself,
but Taylor was not invited. This was
another slight. deliberately intended,
and was further proof that the quartet
considered him an interloper. 1t was .
long distance yet to Fort Sully, with
danger menacing every mile Of 1t, and
but for this fact Taylor would have been
driven ont of canp E,va v;Aa. mana