Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-11-02

aoout." Jake Rogers, the old
miner, gave his pipe few vigorous
puffs to revive the dying fire, then
went on; aI'ye jest come from over
the range, boys, where / discovered
fine lead, an tomorrow / want to
start back to work it out. Course
I'll need help, an hearin' bout you
chaps, / thought likely enough you'd
want to go over an help me on
shares. I'm shore thar's several
thousand apiece for all OF us. What
do you say to the proposition 7"
'I'm in for going," Dick answered
at once. "There's nothing here,
and if there's chance for anything
over there I'm ready TO embrace it."
Joe and Jim held back for a time,
but on being positively assured that
the project was all right they finally
consented to go.
The mex. day, having laid in sup
plies, the four men began the journey
over the range in the direction of
Rogers's mine.
The second evening they struck
camp on the bank of mountain
stream at place where the water
divided and ran on two sides of an
island for distance of ten miles.
All through the journey Joe and
Jim had travelled together, and at
various times they had held low and
secret conversations which they had
taken particular pains to prevent
their companions hearing. Rogers
had noticed these actions, and being
shrewd man, guessed that some
sort of devilment was brewing.
Once he remarked to Dick II don't
like the action of them partners O.
vourn, an I believe they mean to
play us Dirt
ooh, I think not" Dick replied.
"Wal, I guess you'll see I'm
right" Rogers answered. ''But,j jest
shore as they try any underhand
capers on us they'll git the worst
end o. the bargain"
When they reached the bank Of
the river Rogers said:
"Now, it's jest a mile to the gold
mine, and to reach it from here we
will have to make raft and float
down the river"
(which side o. the river is it on?'
Joe asked carelessly.
"On the west side.'
"And just mile down 7"
ayes. Just mile, an right on
the river bank. "We'll make the
raft here an tow it up the stream
till we strike the west current, you
know"
"Certainly," Joe replied, with a
meaning look at Jim.
The next day the raft was con-
structed. 1t was just about dark
when the work was completed. Dur
ing the day Joe and Jim had held
long conversation in the tent, to
which Rogers had been an interested
listener. He had not been able to
hear all they said, but he had caught
enough to give him an idea of what
they had in mind.
When the raft was completed
Rogers proposed that the supplies
be loaded on it, so that at daylight
the next morning they could finish
their journey.
He and Dick at once set to work
in earnest carrying the things aboard,
while Joe and Jim. lurked about,
working little in q half-hearted
way.
When about half of the supplies
had been transferred, and while Rog-
ers and Dick we're both on the raft.
Joe suddenly cut the rope by which
the raft was moored. The current
was swift and strong at that point
and immediately the raft was caught
away from the shore and swept out
and down at the rate of ten miles an
hour.
When Dick realized what had been
done he was dumfounded with sur
prise and chagrin. But not so was
Rogers. The old man gave forth 3
roar OF laughter that echoed all up
and down the mountains.
"Far'Weil, Doys, ne called Dack.
slope you'll have good luck, an
when you find that thar gold mine
jest please drap us a line"
Dick looked at Rogers inquiringly,
and Rogers, knowing Dicks thoughts,
said:
ats all right,my boy. 1t couldn't
o. worked out better"
"But we'll miss the mine"
marry time we won't"
Show can we help it9n
SHOW can We help it? Why, just
because we can't
"But it's over on the other side of
the island"
"Who said it was ~
"You."
81 understood you"
"Yes, an. so did them young
scamps. An / meant they should,