The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1893-12-22

MNaSAA rear faro, roulette and
INZ&R Gdraw poker were
czzS flourishing.
"Petc" was in his high humor. He
had "buclSed the tiger" successfully to-
night, and had quite enough ahead to
work his claim in Corlsscrcw Gulch.
True, he had not done his assessment
work this year, and by law anybody
could Jump the "Lonc Star" that
very day at midnight. But Pete was
not the man 10 be fooled with, as he
already had two graves to his credit in
Doe. Turner's ranch (thc name applied
to the cemetery in honor Of n local doe
tori, which contained the bodies of two
''tendcrfeet" who had differed" with
him and were accidentally shot. So
the inhabitants of Galensville con-
cludcd that he was n safe man to let
alone, and he laughed at the idea that
anybody would be so foolish as to com
init suicide" as he termed 1t, by at
tempting to jump his claim.
The old year had but few minutes
to live when Hank tied up his horse
among the tall, snowladcn pine trees
near the "Lone Star" and. looscning
the thongs which fastened n pick To
his horses saddle, and transferring n
couple Of sticks of dynamite and
some candles from his saddlc-bag TO
his pockets, shouldcrcd the pick and
slowly mounted the tortuous trail.
lie 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 had returned To the pros
pect and found Pete, armed 10
the teeth, in possession. he had
accepted his hard luck with n
good grace, but had "laid" for Pete
yer since. But now ut last his oppor.
tunity had come, and he determined &c
regain his property and defend 1t ut the
risk of his life II necessary.
The tunnel was soon reached. and the
moonlight, streaming against its black
mouth, easily disclosed TO his eyes
Pcte's location stake.
lie looked ut his watch. It marked
exactly midnight.
Reaching down, he Aercely wrcnchcd
the stake from the ground and flung ii
far from him down the mountain.
lie then lit candle and, finding n
board, quickly shnrpencd one end OF II,
mud. smoothing OF the broad end. wrote
his location notice on notwithstanding
the claim the bright lIopcs"-nnd
planted the stake firmly in the ground
Thinking he would go into the tun
mel and "scc how she looked" he took
mp his candle and pick and started IN.
Just as he did so he thought hc
heard whistle. lie stopped and lis.
tened; some one WINS coming up the
trail whistling softly. Quickly dousing
the light, he crouchod behind n big
boulder just at the mouth of the tun.
mel and drew his revolver
A few minutes later Pete stepped In
view. with n weeks supplies In Jack
slung over his shoulder.
Before he could put his burden down
Hank suddenly rose up before him with
the inuzzlc Of his pistol Utmost touch.
Ing the others face.
Glands up he cried. "I'vc got tho
drop on yer now
Pete, seeing the other fellow Ind n
full hand, promptly throw up his,
while Hank deity relieved him OF hii
firearms.
""raint worth fighting nbou,. any.
how" snid Pete, carelcSsly. There
amt pound Of ore In the hull claim. ="
"Oh. come off!' said Hank. GLOW
about all that ore you shipped last
summer
"Thnt wis out Of n pocket ! firncls
which pctcred on, mighty quick. but u
you don't believe me I'll go In the hole
and show you." mud, taking caudlr.
Pete started in the tunnel, Hank fol.
lowing, hut ltccplnr liiA hand within
cnsy reach Of his gun.
The breast 81 the tunnel was soon
reached aud Pete. holding his candle
up bcforc II. mid; "'rhcrc now. what
did tell ycr2 It's nutbin' but dead
rock"
Hank took his candle aud carefully
examined the breast, roof and si1rs,
but not trace Of mineral could bc
seen.
You're welcome to her." taid Pete,
''I'vc blown In NIL the money want
10. you can have blast Mt her now, II
you wnnt TO-"
lInnl, did not reply, but appeared 10
he lost Ia thought. Finally he naldi
"ilold my candle minute, Pete" aud.
taking up hla pick In both hands, he
htruclt the breast heavy blow, and
the rock and mud with which rctn had
plnstered Il 90 fool curious and unwci.
come visitors fell nwny. exposing u
vein Of gii,trring white metal.
Almost NJ the same instant there
WINS dcnfening report and Hank fcil
"a the ground with n bullet through
his heart.
Pete. with Hnolsing revolver In his
hand. which he had naichcd from
Hanks belt NJ he struck the blow,
stood over him with grim smile ~
he nuttercd Another accldcn,i''
Int rciribution WAS close n, hand.
The rcycrherhtionn Of tho sho, had
hardly died away among the ncinhbof.
Ing pcaiih when u rock, which had long
been luosc, started by the. sudden
shock. fell from the roof, bringing
tons of earth with II, and Pete aud his
third victim were crushed into shape.
less mnss.