Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-12-19
JUMPING A CLAIM.

It was New Years eve in the camp, and
the Gold Nugget saloon was doing heavy
business all along the line. Drinks were
being rapidly dispensed over the counter,
and in the rear faro, roulette and draw poker
were f1ourishing.
Pete was in high humor. He had ''bucked
the tiger" successfully tonight and had quit
enough ahead to work his claim In Cork
screw guloh.
True, he had not done his assessment
work this year, and by law anybody could
Jump" the Lone Star that very day at
midnight But Pete was not the man to
be fooled with, as he already had two
graves to his credit In Doc Turner's ranch
(the name applied to the cemetery in honor
of local doctor). which contained the
bodies of two "tenderfeet" who had "dif-
fered" with him and were accidentally shot.
So the inhabitants of Gainesville concluded
he was safe man to let alone, and he
laughed at the idea that anybody would be
so foolish as to commit suicide" as he
termed it, by attempting to jump his claim.
The old year had but few minutes to
live when Hank tied up his horse among
the tall, snow laden pine trees near the
Lone Star, and loosening the thongs which
fastened pickax to his horses saddle
and transferring a couple Of sticks Of dy-
Mantle and some candles from his saddle
bag to his pockets shouldered the pick
and slowly mounted the tortuous trail.
He had long awaited this moment. -Four
years ago he had owned the Lone Star
himself, but sickness came and he could
not work his assessment, and when he re-
turned to the prospect and found Pete,
armed to the teeth. in possession, he had
accepted his hard luck with good grace,
but had "laid" for Pete ever since. But
now at last his opportunity had come, and
he determined to regain his property and
defend it at the risk of his life if necessary
The tunnel was soon reached, and the
moonlight, streaming aslant its black
mouth, easily disclosed to his eyes Pete's
location stake.
He looked at his watch. 1t marked ex.
actly midnight.
Reaching down, he fiercely wrenched the
stake from the ground and flung it far from
him down the mountain.
He then lit candle, and finding board
quickly sharpened one end of it, and smooth
ing off the broad end wrote his location no.
tice on notwithstanding the claim the
bright Hopes'-and planted the stake
firmly in the ground.
Thinking he would 60 into the tunnel
and see how she looked he took up his
candle and pick and started in.
just as he did SO he thought he heard a
whistle. He paused and listened. Some
one was coming up the trail below whis
Ting softly. Quickly dousing the light, be
crouched behind big bowlder just at the
mouth of the tunnel and drew his revolver.
A few minutes later Pete stepped in
view, with weeks supplies in sack
slung over his shoulder.
Before he could put his burden down
Hank suddenly rose up before him with
the muzzle of his pistol almost touching
the others face.
"Hands upr' he cried. "Ive got the
drop on yer now"
Pete seeing the other man had a full
hand, promptly threw up his, while Hank
deity relieved him of his firearms
"'Tain't worth fighting about anyhow"
said Pete carelessly. "There amt q pound
of ore in the hull claim"
"Oh, come off" said Hank. How about
all that ore you shipped last summer"
udu WbS ouC VI pUChcC sGTuCk VIVA
petered out mighty quick, but if you don't
believe me I'll 60 in the hole and show
you," and taking a candle Pete started in
the tunnel. Hank followed, but keeping his
hand within easy reach Of his gun.
The breast of the tunnel was soon reached,
and Pete, holding his candle up before it,
said There now, what did I tell yers It's
nuthin but dead rock"
Hank took his candle and carefully ex-
amined the breast, roof and sides, but not
trace of mineral could be seen.
"You're welcome to her." said Pete GIVE
blown in all the money I want to. You
can have a blast at her now If you want
to-"
Hank did not reply, but appeared to be
lost in thought. Finally he said, Hold my
candle minute, Pete" and taking up his
pick in both hands he struck the breast a
heavy blow, and the rock and mud with
which Pete had plastered it to fool curious
and unwelcome visitors fell away, exposing
vein of glittering white metal
Almost at the same instant there was
deafening report, and Hank fell to the
ground with bullet through his heart.
Pete, with smoking revolver in his
hand, which he had snatched from Hanks
belt as he struck the blow, stood over him
with grim smile as he muttered, AN
other accdentp'
But retribution was close at hand. The
reverberations Of the shot bad hardly died
away among the neighboring peaks when
a rock, which had long been loose, started
by the sudden shock, fell from the roof,
bringing tons Of earth with it, and Pete and
his third victim were crushed into shape
less mass.-St. Louis POST Dispatch