Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-08

and EXPLANATIONS or a6tOnlBnment from
the men.
81 belong to the party up thar" con-
tinued the stranger, "but l don't go
much on digging out the stuff. Rather
be moving around, you know. l kin
guarantee that the boys will welcome ye
If ye want to come. Thar's enough fur
all"
at is very generous indeed Of you,"
replied the captain. "We came for
gold, and Of course we must take advan-
tage Of your offer
"Ayel that we must" shouted the
zen.
What brought me ont this morning,
: least this way" observed the man as
le carefully noted everything in camp,
was calamity. One of the boys up
thar brought his gal out with him. The
Injuns got arter us and skeart her clean
crazy. Since that time she's bin tryin
to run away, imagining that the reds
were arter her scalp. She got off last
night and might hev cum this way"
That's awful!' sighed Harkins. "pve
got gal Of my own down in the wagon
there, and ia rather see her dead than
crazy"
1.-THE wolves would be likely to pull
her down last night" unused Joe. 1.-TWO
or three big fellows were around camp
just before daylight"
$50 we've got gal O your own"
queried the man of Harkins in tones
which betrayed doubt.
"Oh, Bess" called the latter in reply,
and the girl put her head out of the
wagon and asked what was wanted.
"Waal, III hev to look further" said
the renegade as he turned away. "Poor
gall How | pity herl And when will
we be ready to move up the valley to tho
gold felds%
To-day perhaps" answered the cap
tain.
Better not lose any time, as thar will
be a rush in yere from all directions.
SO long to ye."
When he had cleared the camp Har-
kins told his story and the mans object
was made plain. Harllins did not keep
back the secret of the cave, but told it
just as he had received it and suggested
that in case the contents could be found
there should be an equal division.
"They want US to move up the valley
in order to let them out" explained the
captain. "Therefore our plan will be to
remain where we are until we know
what there is in the story. They haven't
found the cave yet and there is chance
of our coming i'll first. We shall Ger
tainly do some looking for it. Wen let
that chap get we'll out Of sight and then
80 on d still hunt"
Two hours later the captain, Harkins
and man named Andrews set out in
rompany under the guidance of the sec
und to seek the canyon and the cave.
While they are searching let us see
what befcll Taylor, who had made u
temporary camp in the small valley.
When he came to think it over he
condemned himself for having acted so
rashly. He was now alone and outlaw
ed. Should lie succeed in finding the
gold how WAS lie to bring it away: He
was and would be III constant danger
from the Indians, and if given IL team
and the gold loaded up for him there
was lot one chance in o hundred Of hi,
driving safely back to civilization.
While he coveted all he realized that lie
must be content with share in order TO
get any at all.
"if | should go back and tell en Of
the cave it would make 'em feel all
right" he soliloquized as he looked up
at the rugged sides OF the valley.
Fool! foolr lie exclaimed after a
moment; hasn't Harkins already told
them of it a. the reason why | sought
his life? All know it and all will divide
and leave me out in the cold. I'm the
biggest fool on EARTH
81 quite agree with ye.' said a voice
not five feet away, and Taylor sprang
mp to find the renegade who had visited
the camp below standing almost over
him.
saw yer HOSES tracks leadin in yere,
ye know" said the renegade in expla-
nation. "Rather Gurus to find q white
man prowling around alone in this ken
try. Yer scalp must be nailed on or ye
wouldn't chance it this way"
"Who are you:' asked Taylor as soon
Is he had recovered from his surprise.
The same question to ye, and what
u II "bOuG IL Cd'o " bOlu anu ulNluluS
up"
Here was help, If the man belonged
to party the gold might yet be Sc
cured. lie was hard looking customer
one who would not scruple at any
thing.
sit down." said Taylor as he made
/ himself comfortable. Il came here with
a party camped two or three miles be
/ low. They came to prospect for gold
but came to look for cave already
filled with it. They sort O suspected
me- and because / wouldn't divide they
drove me out of camp this morning"
"Whar did We hear Of that cave:"
"From an old hunter named Saun-
ders."
"Whoused TO chum with pard named
BridgersT
Exactly"
"Waal, I'm yere fur the same pur
pose. What | got was secondhand from
old Bridgers, but it looks straight huff.