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

words were hardly out Of his mouth |
when the two ruffians made bound up
the slope. What happened next Tom
could never remember very clearly, for
he was pretty badly excited at this try
ing moment. He did not want to shed
blood, and he had n vague hope of scar
ing the men back by shooting over their
heads ms 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 claspod 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
ly ducked his head behind the stone
He heard half dozen rifle shots. and
the balls passed over him and flattened
against the wall of the dugout. Then
all was quiet, and when he ventured to
peep out he could family see the rufiians
moving down the ravine In moment
they were hidden by the dusly 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. Ii was
doubtful if Old Derringer would be back
before the next day. and his timely re-
turn was not to be depended upon. Tom
pondered deeply as he lay at his post.
keeping eyes and ears on the alert for
his foes. He did not dare to light fire,
for that would have exposed him to GER
tain death. After waiting half an hour
without detecting any danger it flashed
upon him that the ruffians probably
hoped he would fall asleep after time
from sense of false security and were
deferring their approach until then. He
felt so sure of this that he conceived
plan to take as much of the gold as he
could carry, hide the rest and then es-
cape to the upper part of the ravine.
Once safely away from the dugout he
could easily hide until the miners re-
turn.
He set about his preparations without
delay. Quickly and quietly he filled
large bag with the precious metal and
hid what was left under the embers of
the fireplace carefully raking the ashes
over the spot again. He purposely left
the hole under the bunk uncovered, so
that the ruffians would be sure to see
that the treasure was gone.
Now he was ready. and after stand
ing in listening attitude for few sec
onds he crept to the entrance of the dug
ont, the revolver held in one hand and
the bag of gold in the other He was
barely outside when he heard scraping
noise straight overhead. and quick
ly two dark figures dropped lightly be-
hind him. The tricky rutfians had made
detour above the dugout and crept
down over the rocky hillside that form
ed its roof. No doubt it was their inten-
ton to rush in and overpower the lad
before he could shoot them, and had
they dropped moment sooner they
might have been successful. But Tom
discovered them before they saw him,
and instantly he went plunging down
the slope at full speed. AS the coast was
now clear. he turned southwark along
the narrow path, hearing shouts and
rapid strides behind him.
Ho ran faster and faster through the
night. sticking to the path by blind in
stinct and intent only ON escaping with
the gold. Suddenly he felt slippery
rocks under his feet and knew that he
had Numbered astray. Then a rifle
cracked. and at the same instant he fell
forward. He felt singing pain along
his head, a stunning blow over one eye,'
and after that he remembered nothing.
When Tom came back to conscious
ness, he was lying ON Old Derringer' S
bunk in the dugout, and the miner him
self was sitting near him on stool.
The sun was shining in the doorway,
and the kettle was boiling over the fire.
He suddenly remembered all that had
happened, and he tried to sit up i'll spite
of his weakness and headache
Lie still, youngster," said Old Der
ringer in a strangely tender tone.
You'll be all right after bit. "
1.-The gold" cried Tom. Have you
got it?"
Every nugget" the miner replied.
1.-The bag was in your hand, and seen
the rest peepin from the ashes. F"
But how did get here, and what
became of the robbers?"
Il reckon 1 shot one, - answered Old
Derringer "Leastwise there was blood
ON the stones You see come along just
as they fired at you, and then they hus-
tied up the gorge as quick as they could
GO The ball only nipped your head, but
you had an ugly knock from tumblin on
the rocks l carried you up here, and
all night long you kept talkin wildlike
about gold and robbers and-and about
your home at Carlisle, away off in Penn
sylvania. That was my home, too,
youngster. Say, if you don't mind. is
Mellish your real manner"
mo" said Tom. MY real name is
Woodruff.
Old Derringer turned pale. mot the
son of John Woodruff
HE was my father" Tom answered.
The next instant Old Derringer was
kneeling by the bunk and had his arms
around the amazed lad. I'm your I'm.
Gle Jim, " he cried hoarsely, what run
away from home 30 years ago. John
Woodruff was my brother. Thank God,
yNe've found each other. lad I'm gOif