Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-01-07

Tar with the soldiers had now 10 band
together and depend upon themselves
Out Of all three parties were organized
and put under the leadership OF good
men. The first party consisted of ths
old captain of the train, Joe, HarlNns
Taylor and seven other good men, Bos
going of course. but not figuring An thd
numerical strength. IL had been agreed
beforehand that the men should bd
drawn by lot. and it was curious bit
OF fate that drew both Harl;ins and Tay-
Tor for one party when both were
earnestly hoping 10 be separated. There
were enough 20 give the other parties
equal strength or a little more, and each
and every man was sworn 90 support
and obey the chosen leaders. A fair
division was made Of weapons, ammu-
hilton and nccesserics OF life, and each A
party selected it's own route. Ina the
liirst party all were agreed for CusDer's
/ leak, while the other two decided 90 /
strike i'm farther 90 the west
On the third day all the parties moved,
End within an hour after the first wng-
/ On pn,lod ont the soldiers had the camp
to thenselyes. IL was the samo sterile
countrylhat had been met with on the
other side Of the river, cut MP by the
same dry Sullies and confused by the
tame HOMOGENEOUS ridges, and each party.
now that it numbered so few, realized
Its peril more fully as it went forward.
The distance between the river aud
the foothills wax covered IN threo days
of easy travelling and without actual
sight of n rodskih although signs were
encountered TO prove that the party was
being watched day and night. The
wagons pushed over lhe foothills, wound
up a long and narrow valley, and
when they went into camp Clusters
peak seemed TO lean right over them.
Here was spring, abundance OF grass
and fairly defensive position, and 10
was decided TO make permanent
camp
No prospectors had come this way, 80
far as could be asccrtained, and here
was as good a spot 20 try for tho gold as
any other. 1t was decided that two men
should always be on guard during the
light aud that four should remain dur
ing the day while the other six went
forth in parties of two Ia prospect.
Three days passed without anything
Of unusual moment. The prospectors
found enough TO encourage them, and
not an Indian had been seen. On tho
fourth day il so happened that Harlgins
and Taylor were named to go together
as one Of the prospecting parties Each
would have promptly declined the
others companionship had he not real
lied that an explanation would havo
been demanded by the others. What
could be said i'm explanation?
81 IA l.
that man." said Bess as her father was
making his preparations. 81 have an
intuition that he hates rs both and
would like TO DO ms harm"
"Pooh! child; but what Eut such
thoughts into your headT
"IIo never looks nc me without
scowl, and | have seen him glare at you
rs if he thirstcd for your life. ~ you
must 20 ont with him. watch him wen
feel that he viii seek 20 do you eomo
grievous injury"
II can't say that like the man over
much" replied the father, "and he
doesn't seem 20 be any too much taken
with me; bat we shall have no quarrel.
and shall take good care of myself"
AS he was about 20 leave camp Joe
beckoned him aside, and while pretend
ing to examine his rifle quietly said;
II am sorry you are going out with
Taylor | don't think he likes you. and
he can be very disagroelble when he
wants TO. BE on the alert for amy plan
he may have"
"You don't thinl, ne would assassinate
me, do your" asked Harl1ins ia surprise.
eff there is any reason why he wants
to today will furnish him plenty OF OPP
portunities," replied Joe. Lookout for
Indians. bat lookout for Taylor just as
sharp
1t may be imagined that Harlling left
the camp in mn unenviable frame OF
mind, but Taylor's demeanor soon gave
him relief. The man was elated, good
narured and garrulous. He had not
been drinking. for the only whisky in
camp was in charge of the captain; but
he acted greatly like one who had n
glass too much. Not n word had passed
between them about the treasure since
they separated over the old hunters
body. They were scarcely clear Of the
camp when Taylor slapped Harkins on
the back. extended his hand for a shake
and exclaimed:
cat last we are alone and can talk
over our secret. I've sometimes felt as
if | must talk or bust. We are pards
old man-half and half on that gold"
$50 we are" replied Harkins. III
have not breathed word 20 any soul,
and l suppose you have been as dis
creet?'
"You bet! There's enough for us two,
but not enough for any more. In N day
or two we must make hunt for that
cave, and if the gold is there we must
get it away"
AS they penetrated into the noun
tains, closely scanning rock and soil
81 ooo,os,,,,ll,y 81 80 tnxyagtsaae,