Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-01-07
CHAPTER TX


CHAPTER *
What a strange. wicked sentiment is
that of avarice! The thirst for wealth
will turn brother against brother father
against son-separate man and wife.
The story told by the dying hunter
had been received by Harllins AL Tay-
lor without question. He had said there
was gold enoagh for both, but does one
ever get too 1cuch wealth? If there were
millions to divide neither wanted to di-
vide it. They had been friendly before
the hunter called them in TO give M, dy-
ing statement. They had left the dead
body hating each other. To be just,
however, it should be said that Harkins
had less avarice and bitterness than
Taylor. He was better educated-he
had the refining influences Of his daugh-
ter Bessie had less hope of being able
to come at the great store of wealth.
Indeed, he sometimes argued that it
would be best to give information to the
whole train and let all share alike and
be satisfied. Had Taylor met him half
way in his advances he would have
choked down the spirit Of selishness
would content him.
But Taylor, who was q single man and
a rough specimen OF the American from
tiersman, openly betrayed his distrust
Rnd i'll will He looked upon the Eng
lshman as q robber. He would never
consent to divide the gold with him. He
might have to share it with others. but
never with him.
When the train was attacked the pres
ence Of peril drove away all other
thoughts but that Of defense, but only
for few hours. The thought came to
both men after time: Suppose he is
killed and | an spared! All will then
be miner Harllins went no further
than to indulge the wicked thought
Taylor looked about him and whispered
to himself that if opportunity came he
would fire the bullet himself which
should make him sole owner of the con-
tents of the cave.
Men who have been drifting in mid
ocean on bit of wreckage, suffering
with hunger, thirst and exposure, and
having not the faintest hope of rescue,
have vet planned wicked and revengeful
things.
When tho last charge was made Tay-
lor had the Englishman and his daugh-
ter on his left hand and only few feet
away. Under cover of the smoke he
deliberately fired upon them, hoping to
kill them both. One of his bullets
grazed the girls shoulder and another
went through Harkins' hat, but Provi-
dence willed that such a monstrous
crime should not be perpetrated. Tay-
lor had no sooner made the attempt than
a sudden thought brought smile to his
face and he smote his breast and NUT
tered:
"Fool that am to have forgotten the
contents of that boxi Let them live!
Let them go with me after the goldl
Let them aid me to secure it, and then
them
He had attempted murder. He was
planning something far more horrible
than that.
1t was midnight when the train
reached the forks of the Cheyenne and
went into camp. From that point it is
only sixty miles to Clusters peak in the
Black Hills. 1t was thought best to re-
main in camp for couple of days and
reft and recruit. The major in COM
mana OF the cavalry was an ola luulau
fighter and plainsman, and before the
camp broke up he called a general con-
sultation. He impressed it upon one
and all that their safety forbade break
ing up into smaller parties than ten or
twelve men. The Indians were thor
oughly aroused and alert, and while
they might be repulsed occasionally
they would be almost certain to over
come small detachments of gold seekers.
No camp must be left unguarded by day
or night. No man must relax his Wig
lance for an hour if he wished to pre-
serve his scalp.
A portion of the troops would remain
at the forks for the summer as a rally
ing point. The other half would follow
the south fork of the Cheyenne up to
the neighborhood of Harney's peak and
there form another camp. They might
make occasional scouts, but they would
not be strong enough to defend the peo-
pie rushing into the country
The MAJORS remarks resulting. IN ?