Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-02-06

90 get pscx somesrow- -nfgns. bus osn,
worry Il y sin't On hanN. As there
hasn't been any one alUng this way since
spring, exceptin yourself, it amt likely
you II have any visitors. This is lone
ly spot and purity far of the beaten
track. If anybody should happen along.
just keep you eyes open and don't let
'em in the dugout. y <s
A few minutes later Old Derringe4
was striding down the ravine, rife in
hand, and Tom watched him until be
vanished around a curve in the path.
The lad felt proud of the confidence re-
posed in him, and desire to show his
gratitude kept him working hard all
day long. He did not disturb the newly
opened vein, which the miner had pur-
posely covered over with bushes, but
cradled the sand and pebbles from the
bed Of tho stream.
When ho returned to the dugout at
sundown, he had quite respectable pile
Of nuggets He put them into separate
bag SO that he could show what he had
done, and he put the bag into the hole
with the others under the miners bunk.
Then he ate half of the few crackers and
dried beef that remained and went to
bed By sunrise the following morning
he was at work again at y spot about
20 yards below the dugout. He stop
ped long enough for lunch at noon
and then went ahead with his grading.
He had expected the miner back that
night, and he wanted to accomplish as
much as possible.
About an hour before sundown be put
the cradle ON rock, and was transfer
ring some small nuggets from it to bag
in his hand. when he heard stone
splash into the stream some distance be-
hind him. He glanced down the ravine
and was startled to see two men stand
ing in the path about 80 feet away.
They had evidently been taking an
observation, and the stone dislodged by
one OF them had betrayed their presence,
Tom had good cause to feel alarmed, for
the strangers were the most disreputable
looking men he had ever seen. One wGs
short and dwarfish, the other tall and
stout Both had bloated faces and black
boards and were roughly dressed. They
carried rifles. but no prospecting tools
or implements Tom realized that the
visitors would not hesitate to commit
murder or robbery and had probably
come for the latter purpose. His first
impulse was to make su. g of his life by
flight, but on second thought he re-
membered his duty to Old Derringer
and resolved to do his best to save the
gold. just how that could be done was
not matter for present consideration,
though partial plan came into his
mind as he stood hesitating. He drop
ped the, cradle, stuffed the bag into his
pocket and started up the ravine.
''Notso fast, kid. !" came grun voice
after him; "hold on thar .
Tom quickened his steps and then
broke into run. As he clambered up
the hillside rife cracked, and the ball
whistled close over his head. He kept
bravely on, and few more steps brought
him to the little plateau in front of the
dugout. He darted inside, and his first
act was to seize Old Derringer's revolv-
or from the shelf behind the bunk.
Then he threw himself fat behind the
upper corner of the doorway. There was
stone ledge foot high in front Of
him. and from this point Of vantage he
had slanting view Of good bit of the
lower part of the ravine.
He felt rather more cheerful now, for
he was in safe position and could yet
command the only approach to the dug
out. All the chambers Of the revolver
were loaded, and Old Derringer had
taught him how to use the weapon. The
men, however, were in no hurry to ap-
proach. After seeing the lad disappear
in the dugout they stood for several min
utes in earnest conversation. Then they
came very slowly up the ravine, stop
ping to look closely about wherever
there were signs of digging or cradling.
Tom watched them sharply and with
growing uneasiness. Their careless man.
ner showed plainly that they believed
the lad to be alone, and what they saw
along the ravine must have satisfied
them that the dugout contained rich
plunder It was even possible that they
had been waiting this chance for weeks
and knew that Old Derringer was alb
sent at the settlement Closer and closer
they came, changing their shambling
gait to brisk, decided tread Now
they were nearly opposite the dugout
and had planted their feet on the path
that led up the slope.
"Stop right there. cried Tom. show
ing the tip of his nose Don't come
any nearer. p"
The men halted, and the larger one
called out: ''We want to see the boss
of these diggin's. Where is he?"
He'll be here pretty 81 on" replied
Tom, "and I've got orders not to let any
one in till he comes.
The men lowered their rifles from
their shoulders and whispered to each
other for moment Then they glanced
up toward Tom in a very threatening
manner "It's no use to fool any longer,
kid, said the dwarfish man. 1--WE want
your gold, and. what's more, we're goin
ter have it. If you fork over decent,
we'll give you share and let you go; if
you don't, We'll take it anyways and
slit your throat in the bargain
.'I'll shoot you if you try to come up
here" Tom answered pluckily, but the
words were hardly out Of his month
when the two ruffians made bound up
the slope. What happened next Tom
could never remember very clearly. for
be was pretty badly excited at this try
ing moment. He did not want to shed
blood, and he had vague hope of scar
ing the men back by shooting over their
heads as he leveled the revolver with
that intention.
Three times he snapped the trigger in
rapid succession, and two of the reports
failed to check the ruffians At the third
shot the little man clasped hand to his
right arm with yell of pain and spun
around He fell against his companion,
knocking him off his feet, and both roll
ed together to the foot Of the slope.
They were up instantly, and Tom WISE
" ducked his head behind the stone.