The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-02-01
HORSE AND BICYCLE.

| mIuo ulSu up among I0e SlcrrdS
and of which an uncle of my com.
panion and fellow student was super.
intendent.
Dick had been extravagant in his
praises of the scenery, the fine
mountain roads, and the trouting in
that vicinity, and as we climbed the
smooth, even grade, that began
almost as soon as we left the station,
felt the truth of all he had said.
Even this ten mile grade, which
Dick admitted was "leg breaker
going up, but such a coast coming
down. came fully up to his descrip-
ton. With coats and trout rods
strapped to our handle bars and
crecls slung to our backs, we wheel
ed leisurely up the mountain side,
dismounting now and then, more to
admire some charming view than
because the road was too steep for a
steady pace.
We were glad to reach the top,
however, and then few over another
ten miles through level gap with
snow capped peaks on either side.
Then, whirling off to the right, we
sped along a narrow ridge to the
Grub Stake, five miles off the main
stage road.
Such trouting as the snow fed
lakes and creeks in that locality
afford ! have never enjoyed else
where. We tried new waters every
day, purely for the pleasure of ex-
ploring the country, and after spin
of anywhere from five to twenty
miles in the bracing morning air,
would hide our wheels in thicket
and Chamber over ridge to some
lake or stream, seldom failing to
return with creels that made our
shoulders ache to carry
Fishing one day up little creek
at the bottom of a lonely canyon
near where the road from the mine
joined the stage road, we came upon
a pair of mustangs hobbled and
feeding in secluded nook. A couple
of saddles and brides lay on log
near by, but no signs Of camp were
anywhere visible. We thought moth
ing Of the matter, supposing the
owners to be hunting or fishing not
far away.
i Riding home late one evening
few days after, we overlook two
horse men in cowboy dress watering
their horses at spring near the
same spot. We also stopped for
drink and were soon joking and
bantering with the others on the
respective merits of our steeds The
cowboys examined our wheels with
much affected interest, asked where
we were stopping and a great many
questions about the roads and the
cattle ranges roundabout, stating
that they were strangers visiting the
locality for the first time in search
of a range. They inquired anxiously
how far it was to the next stopping
place as we rode in company to the
forks of the road, and when we
swung off toward the mine wished
us good evening with the hope that
they might meet us again.
Dick" said I when we We're we'll
out of hearing, "those are the same
two horses we found in the canyon
the other day.
II believe they are, replied Dick.
"What can the fellows be up to?'
"That's what I'd like to know"
Irejoined. "Something crooked, I'll
venture, or they wculdn't t lie to u.s.. e"
Finding the superintendent alone
in his little board Office when we
returned, we spoke to him of these
strangers. He seemed strangely
interested and questioned us closely
concerning them.
Boys" said he, "I wouldn t have
missed learning this for half a years
salary. Look here!' he continued
quietly, after closing and locking
the door and pulling a small chest
from under his bed in one corner of
the room.
"Whew!" I whistled, when he
held up the lid and disclosed what
looked like four yellow bricks lying
side by side.
"That's the range those chaps
are looking for said the super
intendent. "I've suspected some-
thing of the kind from the way our
freight teams have been held up
lately. You see, we struck rich
lead a month ago. I've been trying
to keep it quiet, as we hadn't ex-
pected anything of the kind so soon
and are not fixed for keeping the
stuff here or for sending it out safely.
The stage company has agreed to
come this way and carry our bullion,
but can't change the route before
next month. I thought could trust
the men, but there's spy in camp
somewhere, ard that gold isn't safe
here another day. 1t must go out;
but how, don't know"
An idea flashed into my head. !
was almost afraid to offer the sugges.
ton. but glanced instinctively to-
ward our wheels leaning against the
~vn91 Tho {opI ouac