The morning call., 1894-03-04
HIS LAST CLAIM.
A Tale of New Years Eve
In Camp.
How Mining-Town Terror Was
Oyertaken by Retributive Justice.
Crushed by Rocks.


1t was New Years eve in camp and the Gold
Nugget saloon was doing heavy business all
along he line. Drinks were being rapidly dis
pensed over The counter, and In the rear faro.
roulette and drawer poker were fiourishing
Pete was in high bumOr. He had "bucked
the tIger'' successfully tonight, and had quit
enough ahead to work his claim in Corkscrew
Gulch.
True, he had not done his assessment work
this year, and by law anybody could 'jump"
the "Lone Starr 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 Qhe name applied TO the Gene
Terry in honor OF local doctor. which con-
tanned the bodies OF two "tenderfeet'' who had
"dffered" with him and were accid tnIally
shot. So the Inhabitants of Gainesville con
cluded he was a 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 a few minutes to
live when Hank Smith tied up his horse
| among the tall, snow-laden pine trees near
the Lone STAR" and lUosening the thongs
which fastened pick to his horses saddle
and transferring aicouple of sticks of dyna-
mite and some candles from his saddle
bag to his pockets, shoudered his pick and
slowly mounted the torluous trail.
He had long waited this moment. Four
| years ago he had owned the Lone Star him.
| self, but sickness came aud he could not
work his assessment, and when he re-
| turned TO the prospect ana found Pete,
| armed 10 the teeth, in its possession he had
| acce ted 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 1t 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 exactly
| midnight.
from the ground and flung it far from him down
| the mountain.
| He then Int a candle and, finding board,
| quickly sharpened one END OF 1t anu smOothed
| of the bro end. wrote his location notice on
| it-rechrist ming the claim firmly In the
''HopeS'-and planted the STAKE the Bright
Ground"
| Thinking he would go Into the tunnel and
| see how she looked, he picked up mis- candle
| and pick and started in.
| Just as he did so he thought he heard whls-
| tie. de paused and listened. Some one was
| coming up the trail below, whlstltng softly.
| Quickly dousing the light, he crOuched behind a
| big boulder just at the mouth OF the tunnel and
| drew his revolver.
| A few minutes later Pete stepped in view,
with weeks supplies in a sack slung over his
! shoulder
| Before he could pnt down his bundle Hank
suddenly up before him with the muZZle
OF he pistol almost touching the o hers face.
Hands uD!'' he cried; "Pve got the drop Oh
Yer nOw!'
Pete. seeing The other man had fun hand.
| promptly threw up bis. While Hank deity re-
| lieved him of firearms.
"'Tant worth fighting about, anyhow" said
! Pete, eatelessly. There ain't pound of ore
| iu the whole claim"
"Oh, come off!' said Hank. How about all
the ore you shipped last summer"
! Thai was out OF pOch Ell / struck which
/ peiered out very quick, but If you don't believe
| me Pll go In The hole and show you" and TAX
Ing candle Pete started In the tunnel, Hans
following, but Keeping his hand within easy
The breast of the tunnel was soon reached
and PETE. holding his candle up before II, said
"Thert, now. what did tell yer? It's nothin'
| buI dead rock"
Hank took candle and carefully examined
| the breast. roof ana sides, but not a trace OF
| mineral could be seen.
! YOU'RE welcome to her," said Pee; "l've
blown In all The money / want to; you can have
blast Of her now If you want TO-"
Hank did not reply, but appeared TO be lost
| in thought. Finally be said, ola my candle
| a minute, Pete" nd, taking up his pick In
bolh hands. he struck the breast heavy blow.
and The rock and mud with which Fete had
| plaste red 1t TO fool curious and unwelcome
visitor, fell away, exposing vein of glitIeting
| VII te metal.
Almost at the same instant there was a deaf
| ening report and Hank fell 10 the ground with
| bullet through his heart.
| lee, with a smoking revolver in his hand,
! which be had snatched from Hanks belt as he
struck The blow, stood over him with grim
| smile as he muttered, Another accident
| But retrlbDtlon was close at hand. The re-
verberation of the SHOT had hardly died away
among the Deighboring PEAKS when rock,
| when bad long been loose, started by the sud
| den shock, fell from the roof. bringing tons OF
| ca tn with IL. and Pete ana his Third victim
were crushed into sh peless mass.