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

ringer exclaimed approvingly. "pC
stake all Eve got on your honesty, lad
aud that's why I'm goin to leave In,
pile of gold in your care. I'll try my
level best TO get back tomorrow night
but don't worry if | amt on hand
As there hasn't been any one along
this way since spring, excepting your
self, il amt likely you'll have any
visitors. This is a lonesome spot and
purity far Off the beaten track If any.
body should happen along, just keer
your eyes open and don't let 'em in the
dugout."
\ few minutes later Old Derringei
was stridirg down the rayine, rifle in
hand, and Tom watched until he van
ished around Il curve in the path. The
lad felt proud of the confidence rcposed
iii him, and a desire TO show his
gratitude kept him working hard all
day long. lie did not disturb the new
! ly opened vein, which the miner had
proposely covered over with bushes,
but Graded the sand and pebbles from
the bed of the stream.
When he returned 10 the dugout at
sundown, he had quite a respectable
pile of nuggets. He put them into a
separate bag, 50 that he could show
what he had done, and ne 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 re-
inained and went to bed. By sunrise
the following morning he was mt work
again at Il spot aboat - yards b,iow
the dugout. lie stopped long enough
fora lunch ut noon and then went
ahead with his grading. lie had ex-
/ pected the miner back that night, and
he wanted to accomplish as much as
/ possible.
About an hour before sundown he
pat the cradle on a rock, and trans
ferring some small nuggets from it 70
a bag in his hand, when he heard
stone sp.ashed into the stream some
distance behind him. lie glanced
down the ravide and was startled 10
see two men standing in the path about
30 feet away.
They had evidently been taking an
observation, and the stone disiodged
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 was short and dwarf
iSh, the other tall and stout. Both had
bioa.ed faces and black boards and
were roughly dressed. They carried
rifles, bat no prospecting tools or i'm
plcments. 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 sure of his life by
flight, bat on second thoiight he re-
membcred his duty 10 Old DerringcT
and resolved to do his best To save the
gold. Just now that could be done was
not matter for present consideration,
though Il partial plan came into his
mind as he stood hesitating. lie drop
ped the cradle, stuffed the bag into his
pocket and started up the ravine.
"Not 50 fast, Kid" came a gruff
voice after him; "hold on thar"
Tom quicI.ened his steps and then
broke into a ran. As he clambercd up
the hillside rife crack, and the ball
whistIed close over his head. He kept
braycly on, and a few more steps
brought him to little plateau in front
of the dugOut. lie dartcd inside, and
his first act was To seize Old Derringer's
revolver from the shelf behind the
bunk. Then he threw himself Hat be-
hind 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 Ofthe ravine.
He felt rather more cheerful now,
for he was in safe position and could
yet command the only approach to the
dugout. All the chambers of the re-
volveF were loaded, and Old DeTringer
had taught him how 10 Use the weapon.
The men, however, We're in no hurry
to approach. After seeing the lad dis
appear in the dugoat they stood for
several minutes in earnest conversation.
Then they came very slowly up the
ravine, stopping TO look closely about
wherever there were signs of ofdigging or
cradling.
Tom watched them sharply and
with growing uneasiness. Their car
less manner showed plainly that they
believed the lad TO be alone, and what
they saw along the ravine must have
satisfied them that the dugoat contain
ed rich plunder. 1t was even possible
that they had been waiting this chance
for weeks and knew that Old Derringer
was absent nj the settlement. Closer
and closer they came, changing their
stumbling 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"
The men halted, and the larger one
called out 1--WE want to see the boss
ofthese diggin's. Where is he?!'
Hell be here pretty soOn," replied
Tom, ''and Tve got orders not to let
any one in till he comes"
The meu lowered their rifles from
their shoulders and whispered 20 each
other for moment. Then they glance
ed up toward Tom in very threaten
ing manner. s'It's no use TO fool any
Icnger. kid,r said the dwariish man.
1--WE want your geld and, what's more,
we're going ter have Ii. II you fork
over decent, well give yOI 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 pluckiiy, but
the words were hardly out ofhis month
when the ruflians made bound up the
slope. What happened next Tom could
never remember very clearly, for he