Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-01-28


great distress from having come at such
rapid pace. He reported that he and
Harkins had been attacked by about a
dozen Indians soon after eating their
monday meal, and that while Harkins
had been shot down he had miraculously
escaped the deadly bullets and dashed
for the camp. He had been pursued up
to within rifle shot of the wagons, and
he pretended great fear lest the camp
would be Immediately attacked.
Two of the prospectors had returned,
but two others were still out. Before
waiting to question Taylor or hear his
whole story the camp prepared for de-
tense, and it was only after an hour had
passed away that any one questioned
the near presence Of Indians.
Bess knew nothing of her bereavement
until the captain and others began to
question Taylor. About this time the
other party came in, and it transpired
that Taylor alone had seen Indians.
None of the others had seen the slightest
cause for alarm. In repeating his story
Taylor got it badly mixed, and when he
attempted to console the girl, who stood
listening to every detail with fearless
eyes, she answered:
''It may be so, but | cannot believe it.
[ shall not believe it until | see his dead
body"
''But are you doubling my words,
miss?"
eff the Indians killed him his body
will be lying where it fell" she an
swered. You can find the spot again
you must find it. We cannot go now,
as night is coming on, but we shall go
in the morning. If the wild beasts have
spared his body, want it for Christian
Burial II they have not, want what
bones they may leave"
what did you fire at today?" asked
Joe Us he reached for Taylor's gun and
proved by the backing on his finger
thrust into the bore that it had been re-
Gently discharged.
IL fired on the Lnjuns. of course"
stammered Taylor.
"Oh, you did! We thought you said
you had your gun on your back and was
climbing up d mass OF rock to get q look
around:"
live got TO lie down and think it
over and quiet my nerves. I've had such
: close call that I'm ratified and can't re-
member just how it all was
AS Taylor flung himself down the
men gathered in i group to discuss his
story. There was something queer about
it, but as no one knew Of lis feeling
against Harkins there was 10 key to his
GcG0ns. Bess sought to furnish one by
laying:
u know this man hated father, and
could see II every time he looked at US.
Why he did do not know, but / know
that he had al Ill viii. If father is dead
Re had something to do with it!'
flush, childr' cautioned the captain
Of the train ''X our father and Taylor
were good friends as far as 1 could see,
It is an awful charge to bring against
1nan-that Of betraying comrade."
But he told two or three different
stories about it, answered Joe, fand
his actions are suspicious If he has
done this he shau">
viii shoot him with my own handl"
sternly replied the captain. Let every
thing rest till he awakes. It may have
been as he says-that fright and e1haus-
ton may have upset him.
But he must guide US to the spot in
The morning, persisted joe
Il shall insist upon that, even if we
have to leave the camp alone" added
Bess.
cit shall be so" replied the captain.
we shall know all in the morning."
Bess retreated to the wagon, rent with
conflicting emotions and Frustrated by
grief and doubt, and the men went about
their duties without word to each other.
All felt that there was something wrong
about Taylor's story, but all hesitated
to believe him guilty Of the heinous
crime of taking the life of comrade.
Nigh came down
Taylc had hidden his face under his
blanket, but he had not closed his eyes
in sleep. He was not tortured by re-
morse. On the contrary, he was elated
over the thought that he now alone pos
sessed the secret of the cave of gold.
But he was troubled that he had not told
a better story. Before firing the shot
he had planned just how he would act
and what he would say. The fear which
guilt always brings had upset him and
caused him to halt and hesitate and tell
very lame story.
Many a man who has planned a crime
has thought it all over and prepared
himself at every point only to realize
after its commission that lie left loop
holes in his armor of defene
It was long after dark IL re Tor
rose up. He had then Sc .la ,rv
from when ne would nOt id
it to the men. and he Il n
apparent sincerity that ,e
lieved him. While none 80