Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-02-11
I5HE GOLDEN
By CHARLES B. LEWIS IN QUAD
downright. :ea2. BY American Press Associa-
ton
CHAPTER XXI.
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L. r.nro nral aS2

I "
rbat Harkins had her quarter of mile
away before she was missed. A rush
cd \ search was made, and no one
questioned that she had got OH alone
They consoled themselves with the
rbonrllt that the wild beasts would have
her life before morning, and when BOZ
s+ro1led down the valley it was with the
axDectatTOn Of finding some evidence OF
her death.
Well It was for the girl and the wagon
5nen that TAYLOR had been kept in igno-
| lropce of her rescue and arrival Had
! the renegades known she was IN camp
they would have shed blood to recapture
Der. Having 10 suspicion that she had
j been seen or heard of, they had no par
! ocular luminosity against the gold hunt
/ ,.-s. When Taylor, burning for revenge,
/ wanted to head raid to steal the horses
/ i3r attack the camp, Bob met him with
1 fhe reply:
/ They drove you out, and L reckon
/ t-hey did right, but we don't propose to
| burn our fingers to help you git back at
/ lem. We cum yere fur that gold, and
the Gust hard work we do will be to look
for IT, IF we don't trouble that gang
they won't trouble US.
Taylor had TO be satisfied with that.
His standing among them was not pleas
ant His excuses and explanations did
not go down. He was looked upon as
traitor who had received his just deserts,
and he very soon realized that he was
being endured for the sake of what he
might know about the cave Of gold.
This knowledge imbittered him, and
the hour he rode by the camp hidden IN
the wagon he gritted his teeth and whls-
pered to himself:
These outlaws want me to help ind
the gold, but what viii happen then?
They won't sickle to shoot me down
like a dog. They have no no<S1n Of di-
viding with me. They own the team
and Will have all to say.
And then he took an oath that if he
saw the first sign of treachery in his
new found friends every man Of them
should die By his hand. It was no idle
oath. He had terrible weapon in sore
for an emergency.
The outlaw party reached the canyon
below the peak without incident and the
wagon was pulled well out Of sight of
any one passing up and down the valley,
and the camp was pitched with a view
to defense. They were men who knew |
the perils Of the Indian country and were
both brave and cautious. On the morn
ing after their arrival Bob and Taylor |
set OF up the canyon on an exploring |
and within an hour they had |
discovered the cave. Indeed. Taylor |
hesitated in walking directly to |
the ledge and pulling himself up.
The opening TO the cave was large |
enough to admit the body Of an on. To |
the left Of It rested large stone which
mad been cut to fit the opening, but
which had never been placed in position.
Saunders had said to the right Of
Clusters peak. He had been mistaken.
Here was the cave to the left.
The men hositated to enter tie Open
ing, although provided with torches to
dispel something of the inky darkness.
In spite Of their wicked hearts, a feeling
Of awe and reverence held them spell
bound for time. By and by Bob shook
it of sufficiently to say:
This Is the place. Thar can't be no
doubt Of it, for it's the location we both
got from different men. I'm now avon
1erlng what ; inside.
Taylor thought this a fitting oppor-
-unity to decide a matter which had
worried him not little, and he said:
In case the gold is here do we five
share and share alike:'
'Sartinly,' was Bob's prompt reply.
You go first and let's see if we hev
eum on a wild goose chase.
Taylor knocked his torch against the
rocks to make II burn up more brightly.
md holding 1t ahead Of him passed into
he opening, slowly followed by Bob.
They found themselves liz a rock lined
'oom about twelve by sixteen feet in
width and length, while the incline was
rom six to eight feet In height Nature
lad made the cave, but man had en-
arged and improved it.
For moment the men looked about
hem in wonder. and fearful that a griz-
.ly or puma might be there to receive
hem. The place was untenanted. and
Taylor moved to the right, thrust his
orch into the darkness and hoarsely ex-
,laimed:
We've hit it-we've hit it, Here is
he goldt'
les, the gold was there, and silver as
veil 1t was in crude Jumps and pigs.
.ach a heavy weight for a man. And
mere were crosses and spearheads and
Inklets and bracelets, all rudely fash
oned from the precious metals. Bob
I'd not trust himself to say a word until
lie had lifted half dozen of the pigs
M cut away at some of the smaller ar
lcles with his knife. Then he said:
Ihar's no room fur doubt, It's /
reasureI'
land 1t is share and share alike. re-
nembert" cautioned Taylor.
''Of-of course, stammered Bob.
Avarlce, doubt, selfshness, thoughts
u murder We're creeping in before the {
was ten minutes old.
Inc tool-to expect Us to divide with {
I'M" growled Bob to himself. /,
Let EN- lookout! | may take air. &