The old Abe eagle., 1892-12-01

fur good many years-way back TO
the time when the Mexicans kivered this
country. I've heard tell thar was
white race all over the west"
"Yes, the Aztecs," replied one of the
men.
"Them's it. 1t was them instead of
the Injuns who stored up the gold. We
allowed to go back after it some day,
but the years went on, Bridger got
wiped out and now I'm headed that
way only to feed the wolves
"And-and you will tell us where this
cave is?' anxiously inquired Taylor.
81 will" replied the dying man, as
smile fitted across his face. "Hain't it
Gurus? One lays a-dyin, thinkin of the
hereafter, and the other is jist a-trem-
bin in his anxiety to git hold of wealth
and spend it? It's like poor humanity.
The thought of that gold never bothered
me an hour, while you will risk your
lives fur sight of it. But I'll tell We.
That's what axed yc to cum in here
fur. You've bin white with me, and
kin reward ye fur it."
Harkins and Taylor glared at eacL
other across tho dying man. The tieild
of avarice was already whispering in
their ears.
"lf you strike the big Cheyenne at the
forks, said the hunter, 1.-THE mountains
will be due north of you. The big peak
in front of ye has been named after Gus
ter About five miles to the right of
that peak is Il canyon-the one upwhich
Bridger fled. He said he went about a
mile and then took into smaller one
leadin to the left He hadn't gone fur
before he grabbed bush to pull him
self upon ledge out of the bottom, and
as he reached the ledge he was at the
mouth of the cave He reckoned it was
eight or ten feet up, and he thought a
path led from it up into the mountain.
1t ar always dusky il those riffs, and
ye might pass up and down lifetime
and see nothing, 1t may take ye Il
month of sarchin but yell find big
reward
Each man had caught his every word
and sought to impress it On his memory,
and each secretly hoped that the other
would forget. This cagerness resulted
in curious error. Harkins understood
the hunter Alright when he said to the
right Of Clusters peak. Taylor under
stood him to the left.
YEN hev to be on the watch fur red.
skins" said the old man after long
pause. They're out and in arms and
they'll show ye 10 mercy. This rush OF
white men will drive en- back after a
time, and counsel ye to let the cave
alone till its safe to so thar. Then ye
kin make up small party, bring it of
and divide it up as is fair"
"Never!' whispered Taylor as he
clenched his hands.
divide with him when can get il
allr demanded Harhins of himself.
They had been friends in danger, The
prospect Of wealth had turned theil
friendship TO hate An hour ago they
would have periled their lives for eacl
other Now they wished each othel
dead.
The possession of gold may bring hap
piness. The thirst for it may lead t
murder.
"Ye hev been good to me and wisl
ye lucl-, said the old man in Il whisper
but neither Of tine men heard him. The,
were thinking ami planning.
About five niles TO the right o
Clusters peak" Hlrkins kept repeat,n:
to himself,
About five miles to the left of Gus
ter's peak Taylor repeated over an,
over again. Two or three minutes passe,
away, and then the latter bent forw IL,
and cried ont:
"Why. the old man is de, Dr.
SO be was He had mad. no struggl
even no sign.
! "Well, that was white il him not &
delay Is," laughed the lead II of the cai
avan when informed of the event
"Some men might have kent us here al
day and then concluded nc to die afte
all Now the only thing is thplant him.
A couple OF men were on scoopin
out n shallow gri re with their spade,
and within half al hour after the fam
of life had ficliered ont the body wa
covered and the wagon train moving ~
Then couple Of great yultrre
dropped from the sky TO earth to wait
Three or four gaunt wolves their Ion
hair dirty and ragged, came skullgin
over the broken ground.
Five painted and feathcred Indian
crept ont Of dry ravine scarcely fort
rods away, and with tbs yengence q
devils set to work with hands and stick
TO uncover the body. There was n SUI
pressed shout rs it wgs rolled ont an
another as the scalp was held aloof.
Five minutes later tie wolves an
yulturcs had the body TO themselves.