The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1893-12-28

hoct ,,,as NA"NO HIS prospective
n nos. was TO leave the camp on IN,
next mornings stage. Travers wa
.nc only man on tho mountain wifi
~noln DICK could fraternize. There
-ore he was melancholy even with tb,
prospect before him of Trayers chill
con carne, upon the strength of whicl
eHe iatter claimed for himself the title
OF the best cook on the mountain
taveriy had finished shaving-an extrf
Iouch IN honor of the event-and nov
nc pulled on his corduroy coat and
surveyed as much OF his picturesque
iy-ciad siX-feet-two of Drawn as III,
small cracked mirror ON the wal
would accommodate.
suddenly across the pale SQUARE q
the window flashed shadow. A mo
ment later it darkened the doorway
oaVerly wheeled about sharply as {
man sprang into the cabin and slam.
ming the door, shot the heavy bolt In
the socket Instantly the small room
was almost dark.
Who's that?" demanded Cayerly,
backing toward the shelf where his
revolver lay.
breathing heavily like a hunted
animal, the man came a few steps
nearer and Caverly recognized one OF
the Mexican hands at the lum ber- mill.
Juan Valera! What's the matter
are you loco?"
The Mexican shook his head, stag
gered sideways and leaned against the
wall, painting for breath.
mo, senior, mol Don't let them take
me! Por ell amar de Dios!"
CAverly pushed forward the only
chair in the room and stood silent for
a moment, his finger on the trigger OF
his revolver and his eyes on Valera,
who had collapsed Imply into the seat.
Now, Valera, if you've got your
breath, tell me what the trouble is.
What have you done?'
Nothing, senor-I swear by the
blessed Virgin"
In the faint light from tho window
the Mexican's face showed CHASTITY
white with terror
''Hear that! They're coming! O,
Senior Richards, help me, hide me
somewhere!'
Nonsense, it's the wind in the pine
trees" said Caverly, exasperated by
the mans cowardice. Cant you
He paused suddenly and stood alert,
Was that the murmur of
the pines, or was it the trampling OF
feet in the dry needles which carpet
the forest? Valera too caught the
sound and got to his feet. A shout
outside was echoed by his stifled cry
of terror as he started toward Caverly.
keep back!" cried the latter
warily.
"Senor, they'll hang me! l didn't
kill him, swear to you! 0 my wife,
ny Santuzzal and my poor little
Pedro! All"
There was the red flash of lantern
md rush of feet past the window,
Ind then a sharp rap on the door,
"Mr. Caverly! are you here?" cried
. rough voice.
"Sener don't let them in!" cried
Valera as Caverly moved past him.
"Be still! I'm going to open the
loor and see what these men want.
Won't let them hurt you unless you
leserve it. Sabe that? Then shut up. ~
With this Cavelry shot the bolt and
lung the door open. A murmur of
urprise greeted him from dozen
nen dimly visible in the red light oil
he lanterns outside.
What, you here? We didn't sec
my light and thought"
"What's the matter?' demanded
Javerly.
IA mans been killed and we're
after the fellow that done itn' SAID
one of the foremost hoarsely.
"Who's killed."
drawers"
"My God!' Caverly caught the door
easing. at can't be!'
For an instant his brain reeled. HI
eaned against the side of the door
hearing dimly, as in confused dream
The voices of the men around him.
Juan Valera" some one was
saying when he pulled himself to
gether. "Nc were close on his trai
and we know he's here. Bring hin
out, Caverly. Well show the greasel
that white man" the speaker shool
the lariat which was coiled about hi
arm.
care you sure he did it?" asked
Caverly, strangely calm.
"Sure? OF course we arc. Wash
his knife lying in the blood by poo
Travers when we found him?"
"Was he dead?' here Caverly'
voice trembled slightly.
mo, he isn't dead, but Doc says
mot dead? Why in Heavens nam
didn't you tell me? must 60 John
son, don't hang Valera till you're deaf
sure he deserves it. Lock him up ant
then tiff Travers-"
sDoc says he can't live" said John
son doggedly. "And we propose t.
finish the job while we're about it
We amt the men to tramp six mile
through the woods for nothing DON
bother us, Mr.. Caverly. Go on ant
see YOUR friend and let us alone. :"
ii won't let you murder a defense
less man" said Caverly doggedly. .
promised to protect him and l will
Won can take him and guard him til
he's proved guilty"
"Iie's proved guilty now!" shoute'
another man, "Stand aside, or it'll
be The worse for your
Cayerly knew the fierce temper 0
these men and their ill-fecling towar,
thc Mexicans, and he saw that bot
were now exasperatcd to dangerou
mitch. But he could not desert Valera
"You cannot take him unless yo1
,,romise inc not to harm him now,' h
said.
"How'rc you going to help your
seIf9' icered one of the men. ,,, :,
' II advise you not to try, it. ~ d
for one Of You anyway and you'll hay
i TO kill ill nc ilrstl cried cayerly recl'
, .o Nv Ills blood was thoroughly ur
1 Tnorv muscle and sinew in his mag
nifeent body was tense with resoiu
| ton. ,sod a moment
1u;s wa, considerably more tnan inc
ha n borgained for Suddenly Jonn
a nao dronpcd the coiled lariat from III
S .pl,, md stepped forward ,, !,