The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-11-30


fourth morning the spell was broken by
the discovery that the supply Of provi-
sions was completely exhausted.
"There's only one thing to be DONE"
growled Old Derringer. land that's a
trip to the nearest settlement, which is
a days journey of. | hate to leave at
such time, but games scarce here
abouts, and we can't live on that any
way. reckon I'll start right now, seein
it's purity early yet You amt afraid
70 stay until come back, youngster?"
mot a bit Of it,. replied Tom.
There's nothing to he afraid Of I'll
just keep on working.
That's the way to talk, F" Old Derrin-
ger exclaimed approvingly. I'D stake
all I've got on your honesty. lad, and
that's why I'm goin to leave the pile of
gold in your care I'll try my level best
to get back tomorrow night. but don't
worry IL | amt on hand. As there
hasn't been any one along this way since
spring, exceptin yourself. it amt likely
you'll II have any visitors. This is lone
ly spot and purity far Off the beaten
track II anybody should happen along,
just keep you eyes open and don't let
'em in the dugout. "
A few minutes later Old Derringer
was striding down the ravine. rife in
hand, and Tom watched him until he
vanished around curve in the path.
The lad felt proud of the confidence re-
posed in him, and "A 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
Graded the sand and pebbles from the
bed Of the stream.
When he returned to the dugout at
SHUTDOWN, he had quite respectable pile
Of nuggets He put them into a separate
bag, so that he could show what he had
done. and he put the bag into the hole
with the others under the miner RS 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 spot about
90 yards below the dugout. He stop
ped long enough for a 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 shutdown he put
the cradle ON rock, and was transfer
ring some small nuggets from it to a 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 30 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 was
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 sure of his life by
flight, but on second thought he re-
WONDERED 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 a 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.
mot so fast, kid. " came gruff voice
after him; 'hold on thar "
Tom quickened his steps and then
broke into run. AS he clambered up
tho hillside rifle cracked, and the ball
whistled close over his head. He kept
bravely on, and "A 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 fiat behind the
upper corner of the doorway. There was
a stone ledge foot high in front Of
him. and from this point of vantage he
had slanting view of good bit of tn,
lower part of the ravine.
He felt rather more cheerful now, foi
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 hat
taught him how to use the weapon. Thu
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 the,
came very slowly up the ravine, stop
ping to look closely about whereve
there were signs of digging OF grading
Tom watched them sharply and witt
growing uneasiness. Their careless man
ner showed plainly that they believed
the lad to be- alone. and what they saw
along the rayine must have satisfied
them that the dugout contained ricl
plumber IL was even possible that the.
had been waiting this chance for week
and knew that Old Derringer was alb
sent at the settlement Closer and close
they came, changing their shamblinl
gait to brisk. decided tread. Nov
they were nearly opposite the dugou
and had planted their feet ON the patl
that led up the slope.
''Stop right there, cried Tom. show
ing the tip of his nose. Don't com
any nearer.
The men halted, and the larger ON
called ont. "Wa want To see tho hos