The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-03-13

over him and battened against the wall
of the dugout. Then all was quiet, and
when he ventured to peep out he could
family see the rlilians moving down
the ravine. In moment they were
hidden by the dUsky twilight.
The situation was now perplexing
one. Night was at hand, and the men
would certainly make an attempt TO
get the gold under cover Of darkness.
1t was doubtful if Old Derringer would
be back the next day, and his timely
return was not to be depended upon.
Tom pondered deeply rs he lay at his
post, keeping eyes and ears on the alert
f0r his foes. He did not dare to light n
fire, for that would have exposed him
to certain death. After waiting half an
hour without detecting any danger.
il flashed upon him that the ruiiians
probably hoped he would fall asleep
after time from sense of false St
curity and We're dcferring their ap-
proach until thcn. tie felt 50 sure Of
this that he conceived a plan to take as
much of the gold as he could carry,
hide the rest and then escape to the
upper part ofthe rayine. Once safely
away from the dugout he could easily
hide until the miners return.
He set about his preparations without
delay. Quickly and quietly lac flied
large bag with tie precious metal and
hid what was ieft under the embcrs OF
the fireplace, carefully ralling the ashes
over the spot again. lie purposely left
the hole under the bunk uncovered, SO
that the ruifians would be sure 10 see
that the treasure was gone.
Now he was ready, and after stand
ing in listening attitude for a few
seconds he crePt to the entrance Of The
dusout, the revolver held in one hand
and the bag OF gold in the other. lie
was barely outside when lac heard q
scraping noise straight overhead, and
quickly two figures dropped lightly he
hind him. The tricky ruiiians had
made detour above The dugout and
crept down over the rocky hillside thct
formed It's roof. No doubt it was their
intention TO rush in and overpower the
lad before ne could shoot them, and
had they dropped moment sooner
they might have been successful. But
Tom discovered them before tIey saw
him, and instantly he wen, FiGnging
down the slope at full speed. As the
coast was now clear, he turned south
ward along the narrow path, hearing
shouts and rapid strides behind bim.
He ran faster and faster through the
night, sticking % the path 10y blind
instinct aud intent only on esclping
with the gold. suddenly he felt slip
perry rocks under his feet and knew
that he had blundered asiray. Then a
rife cracked, and ut the same instant
ne fell forward. Iie felt singing
pain along his head, stunning blow
over one eye, and aEter that ne rcmem-
bercd nothing.
When Tom CANA back 30 conscious
ness ne was lying on Old Derringel S
bunk in the dGgout, and the miner
himself was sitting near on a stool.
rhe sun was shining in the doorway,
and the kettle was boiling over the
fire. He suddenly remembered AZ
that had happened, and he tried to sit
up in spite Of his weakness and head
ache.
"Lie still, youngster," said Old Der
ringer in a strangely tender tone.
"You'l. be all right after bit"
''Thc gold"' cried Tom. "Have you
got it?''
Every nugget" the miner replied.
THE bag was in your hand, and seen
the rest peepin from the ashes"
''But how did get here, and what
became OF the robbers"
81 reckon / shot one" answered
Old Derringer. ''Laastwise there was
blood on the stones. Iou see 1 came
along Just as they fired at yoa and then
they hustled up the gorge as quick as
they coald go. The bail only nipped
your head, but yoa had an ugly knock
from tumblin on the rocks. l carried
you up here, and all night long you
KEEP. talkin wildlike about robbers and
and about your home at Carlisle,
away of in Pennsylvania. That was
my home, too, yOungster. Say, if yoI
don't mind, Is Mellish your real narne:'
NO" said Tom my real name Is
Woodruff"
Old Derringer turned pale.
'.,Not the son of John WOodruT:'
"He was nly father Tom answer
ed.
The next instant Old Derringer was
knecling by the bunk and had his arms
around the amazed lad.
''Pm your Uucle .Iim,r he cried
hoarsely, '.what run away from home
twenty years ago. John Woodrufi was
my brother. Thank God, we've found
each other, lad I'm goil to sell the
claim to a party at the settlement fur
a big price, and rs soon as he comes up
to see it you and nell 81 back 10 Penn
sylvania and buy the Old homestead.
Aud rs fur foreign lands-why, there
amt one yoI shan't see if yoa want to.
Wen take a trip together"
Old Derringer stopped for want of
breath, and presently ne and Tom
discussed more calmly the wonderful
things that had happened. 1t was
better than medicine for the lal, and
by evening he was on his feet, n sound
and we'll as ever.
4 few days later the two We're travel
ing east n East a. steam could carry
them, and Tom knew that his days of
tramping and privaiion were over. In
the strangely discovered relative he had
found Il lifelong friend and protector
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