Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-02-18
'IHE GOLDEN CAVES
By CHARLES B. LEWIS On. QUAD.
Copyright. 1899, by American Press Associa-
tion.l
CHAPTER XIV.

weighed and estimated, and the sum in
dollars and cents was beyond their wild
est expectations. The precious metal
was stored in the bottom of the wagon
and every one felt exultant and good
natured.
Every man but Taylor. He could not
fail to notice that he was regarded as an
interloper From the hour Of finding
the cave the renegades made every eff
fort to render his position so disagree
able that he would take his departure,
but he refused to go. He was deter
mined and persistent man, and had they
known him better they would have held
him in fear instead of contempt. He
had smotheTed his anger and affected
not to hear the remarks flung out for his
benefit, and he had worked as hard as
any one in bringing down and storing
away the sold.
On the evening before they were to
leave Taylor determined to settle mat
tiers one way or the other, and he took
opportunity to ask:
HAS it been decided yet which route
we are to take?"
Certainly" replied Bob.
(Which is it?"
Look yere, stranger" exclaimed
Bob, as he fired up, ''has any of this
crowd axed fur your advice?''
Il haven't pretended to advise. AS
one of the party, and as having fifth
interest in the treasure, [ am naturally
interested in knowing which route we
are to travel by"
''Whar did you git an interest in this
gold?" demanded Bob.
''As one of the discoveries.
"Humph! Look yere, stranger, you
want to go slow! You forced yourself
into this crowd, and it's for us to say
whether you stay or so. We don't want
to turn a man out here to lose his hair,
but if he talks too sassy he'll hev to go.
When we get out O this we may feel
like remembering you fur the little
you've done, and we may not. We
make no promises. Understand, how
ever, that you have no claims On the
treasure-not the slightest"
Taylor ground his teeth in rage. He
had staked all and was likely to lose all.
The thought maddened him, and had he
not been a COO. and calculating villain
he would have forced climax then and
there, which must have cost him his
life. He maintained silence for few
minutes, and then said:
''Well, boys, [ meant no harm, and l
hope no one has any hard feelings.
You'd have found the cave without me,
Of course, and you own the team. I'm
satisfied you will do the fair thing by
me when we get through, and so let's
say no more about it.
''That's sensible,'' replied Bob, and
the matter was dropped.
Taylor wandered away from the camp
short distance, apparently to gather
frewood, but really to give vent to his
feelings by communing with himself
1.-THE fools!'' he Kissed when safe dis
lance away. mot one Of them will ever
leave the plains except that some one car
ries his dead body away! They don't
know me- They think I'm a cur to be
kicked or petted at pleasure, but they
are trifing with a demon. They think
to beat me out Of my share, but I'll take
all-every ounce!'
And as soon as he had left the fire the
outlaws drew closer together and Bob
said:
'sWe'd better shoot him tonight as he
sleeps. He's bound to trouble u.s.
''No-wait," replied one Of the others.
We've get a long pull before US, with
plenty of redskins in the way He's
plucky and good shot. When we don't
need him any longer somebody's rifle
can so off by accident and Well leave
his bones for the wolves to pick"
It was settled that way, and when
Taylor returned each of the men had a
word for him, as if to show they held no
grudge.
The night passed without alarm, and
at the first sign Of day all were up and
making ready for a start. When hastyi
breakfast had been eaten and the team
hitched up Taylor learned for the first
FINE that the outlaws were going to at;
tempt to push through to Fort Sully.
They had canvassed the matter and con-!
Guided that this route would be safest
The inpour of gold seekers was more
from the west, and the Indians would
naturally gather on that frontier. And
by following the Cheyenne river they
would be sure Of wood, water and grass
the entire journey.
Once started, the outlaws were for
pushing ahead at rapid pace, and by
noon they had cleared the foothills and
were on the open plains. During the
day each one Of the four made special
effort to be pleasant to Taylor, but he
was not to be hoodwinked by their n.y..
pocrisy. They had showed their hand
in camp, and he was satisfied that he
was to be counted ont He felt, too,
that they were Matching some plan to
get rid of him before the journey was
ended, and his chuckle was fiendish as
his fingers lovingly caressed the bottle
of poison he carried in his pocket.
There was murder in every heart, but
Gods sun shone clear and bright over
all as the party pressed forward to make
IL z