The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-10-05
his money mighty quick"

And Stymer hurried away under the
quaking aspens, leaving Talbot much
discouraged. For the youth, while anx-
ious to sell any of his claims honestly,
knew that the stranger nad been be-
guiled by Tannin to believe the pros
pect rich one, and he scrupled to
take advantage of the deceit.
After breakfast, next rorning. he
started down the creek toward town"
On the way he heard hOof strokes COM
ing up the winding trail. and spind the
spotted pinto. Stepping behind
clump of alders, he kept still while
Nose Tannin rode by, evidently bound
for Talbot's hut to deliver up the
pinto. Ward was glad to avoid him,
preparing to meet Mr.. Claypool first
and undeceive him.
Arrived at the hotel, he learned that
the stranger had gone off early on
horseback toward the Pillar of Fire,
alone. Ward at once started off by a
short cut to the mountain. AS he
carried only his revolver, havarsack,
and poll-pick. his progress was rapid,
and when an hour later he reached his
claim, he saw a horse tied to A fir near
the center stake.
There were fresh holes in the line
of earth where Nose had strewn false
float, and TalbOt'S quick eye saw new
breaks in the face of the ledge above.
Peering about for Mr.. Claypool he OBJ
served smoke rising near, and. making
his way through the bushes, soon found
him in q nook among the boulderS.
Here, to Words surprise. a rough little
furnace had been built of fiat stone,
in which fire was roaring. A blow
pipe, hammer, cruciblc, and phials of
acid lay on the rocks. Evidently
rude assay had been made of The ma
terials gathered.
Mr.. ClaypoOl stepped into sight, hold
ing tiny scales in his hand and about
to make record with pencil in a pocket
| tablet. He started in confusion when
he met the youths honest gaze. Ward
at once judged him to be a professional
| man, or a druggist Or chemist, for his
complexion was pallid and his hands
| dainty and white.
"NVell, you don't find Eluch high
ore, 1 reckon" said Talbot with the
| freedom common to the frontier.
81 here's none here"
Mr.. Claypool appeared much offended
| by this blunt inquiry. He was a thin,
slim, middle-aged man of cold and re-
| served manners, having a very crafty
lace he lOOkeu 1T tne young HldH
Sternly.
"No. This claim is not wcrth five
dollars 1t will not assay ten ounces
| of silver to the ton"
WhercupOp he Slipped his utensils
into a valise which he slunS to his
shoulder, strobe 3croSS to his horse,
and rode away without further com
| ment or attention.
Talbot was much irritated by this
peremptory withdrawal, but reliey ed
| to know that the strange. had not been
| deceived by Nose. He was puzzled,
| however, when he looked at the bits of
| mineral left from the assay. They
| were deeply marked with yellow chlOr-
| ide stain, and he knew the ore eX-
amined must have been rich il mineral
| SO that the conclusion of the chemist
| seemed to be strange one. He was
glad he had escaped any base tempt
alton to try and sell his claim himself
| at a high price on the strength of
Nose Tannin'S misrepresentation
since the acumen Of the visitor would
| evidently have foiled the attempt. He
started off across the hills cheerily
with clear conscience and light
| heart.
All that afternoon Stymer chafed un-
easily behind his bar. Nose Tannin
| had come in with Mr.. CIaypOol, and
| the two sat by the tables, trying to
close the bargain. Nose demanded
three thousand dollars for the Pillar of
Fire. Mr.. ClaypoOl now refused, de-
| nounced the claim as Il mere ordinary
prospect of unknown value, and even
| began to collect his baggage prepara
| tory to departure on the stage the next
| morning Stymer, long experienced in
| the mines. set them down for Il pair of
sharps, and understood their games.
He devined that Nose had "salted" the
claim. He had peered into the strang
er's baggage, by which he coniectured
that Mr.. ClaypOol, although fresh from
| town and ignorant of the ordinary
mining tricks, had picked up a smat
| tering knowledge of assaying, and had
| come into camp hoping by stealthy
| tests to find some valuable claim which
he could obtain for a low price. He
shrewdly judged that Mr. Claypool be-
lieved the prospect worth Il hundred
| thousand dollars, and was affecting
| doubt and trying to make Nose think
| it worthless that he might buy it for
a nominal sum. Meantime, where was
Talbot? Why was he not here man
aging the bargain himself?
Toward nightfall the matter was con-
densed. Mr.. Claypool with great show
| of reluctance at last agreed to pay
three thousand dollars, from which
price Nose would not recede. And row
he desired that the claim should be i'm
mediately decided to him.
Nose confessed that he had not vet
received his papers from the original
owner, Ward Talbot, but agreed to
find him that evening and effect both
| transfers.
Soon after, Ward came by with a
half-dozen returning prospectors, and
Nose went out to him. Stymer fol-
lowed anxiously to the door. Mr.. Clay
pool sat within reading newspaper.
There's your horse, Talbot" said
Nose in an Off-hand manner, pointing
| to the pinto tied to a tree near.
"My horse? 1 don't want tile horse.
That bargain was off long ago
In vain Nose eXpostnlatad, argued,
| ragged. Ward had a right to call the
| bargain void, since the other had not
fulfilled his agreement. At last Nose
| drew revolver menacingly. Stymer