The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-01-31
HORSE AND BICYCLE.

We we're spending our June vacation
at the Grub Stake, new gold mine high
up among the Sierras, and of which an
uncle of my companion and fellow
student was superintendent.
Dick had been extravagant in his
praises OF the scenery, the fine noun
tain roads. and the trouting in that Vi
entity, 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 aleg
breaker going up, but such a coast
coming down" came fully up to his de-
scription. With coats and trout rods
strapped to our handle bars, and creels
slung on our backs, we wheeled leisure
ly 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 we're glad to reach the top, how
ever, and then few over another ten
miles through a level gap with snow
capped peaks on either side. Then,
Whirling off to the right, we sped along
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 I have
never enjoyed elsewhere. We tried new
waters every day, purely for the pleas
ure Of exploring the country, and after
spin Of anywhere from five to twenty
miles in the bFacing morning air, would
hide our wheels in thicket and clamb-
or over a 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 a Sc
eluded nook. A couple of saddles and
brides lay on log near by, but no signs
Of camp we're anywhere visible. We
thought nothing of the matter, suppos-
ing the owners to be hunting OF fishing
not far away.
Riding home late one evening a few
evenings after, we overlook two horse
men in cowboy dress watering their
hotses at a spring near the same spot.
We also stopped for a drink and we're
soon joking and bantering 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 ques-
tons about the roads and the cattle
ranges roundabout, stating that they
were strangers visiting the locality for
the first time ia 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,n said I when We were well out
Of hearing, "those are the same two
horses We found in the canyon the
other day"
u believe they are," replied Dick
"What can the fellows be up to-"
"That's what I'd like to know" I re-
joined. Something crooked, I'll ven
ture, or they wouldn't have lied to us"
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, 81 wouldn't have
missed learning this for half years
salary. Look heFew he continued quiet
~, after closing and locking the door
and pulling a small chest from under
bis bed in one corner Of the room.
''Wbewi" / whistled, when he held up
the lid and disclosed what looked like
four yellow bricks lying side by side.
What's the range those chaps are
looking for" said the superintendent,
ave suspected something of the kind
from the way our freight teams have
been held up lately. You see, we struck
a sich lead q month ago. I've been try
ing 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 ont safely. The stage
company has agreed to come this way
and carry orr bullion, but can't change
the route before next month. Thought
Icould trust the men. but there is &
spy in camp somewhere, and that GOLD
isn't safe here another day. It must &C
out; but hoW, / don't know"
IA idsa flashed into my head. 1 was
almost afraid TO offer the suggestion
but glanced instinetively toward Oul
wheels leaning against the wall. Tbs
superintendeRt's eyes followed mine.