The sun., 1897-06-13
CHAPTER IS.

An abandoned tunnel-an irregular orificc in
the mountain flank which looked like a dried:up
the refuse of the mountain in rcd slime. gravel,
and n peculiar clay known as cement in a
either side. broken up by heaps OF quartz. tail.
ings, and rock. and. half hidden in scrub, oak
the OF tho
Marshall claim. To this dcfaccment of the
bS bS Ss bsssns Of the hSbs and
tree boughs. and the decaptation of saplngs,
might be added the debris and ruins OF half
cabin was covered with broken hoops OF casks
and the cast-off rags of blankets and clothing.
details and its vulgar story OF sordd reckless.
and selfish occupancy and abandonment, was
dawn only made the more offending. Surely the
last spot In the world that men should quarrel
So thought George Barker. as with his com:
panions they moved in single file slowly toward
L. The little party consisted only Of himself,
bush TO join them at the first appearance Of
cupied; they had secured their first success.
Stoptoe's followers, unaware that his design
could casilyrcach the claim before Marshall and
the surveyor. had fingered. some of them had
HEAVY Tee Diners Tere n s enSaEed 1
curing shoves and picks and pans for their
mock equipment as miners, and this. again.
gave Marsballs adhercnts the advantage
They knew that their opponents would proba-
bly, first approach the empty claim incumbered
they themselves had brought their rifles.
stacy, who by 'acit consent led the party. on
Barker each behind a separate heap OF quartz
tailinEs on the ledge. which afforded then, u
mouth Of the tunnel Which was nearest the trail
had already been whHt each
| that moment no one knew. Their characteristic
appearance had slightly changed. Tho melan-
lThN nnH Hllt a
bitter. Barkcr's changcfu face had become
fixed and steadfast. stacy alone wore his fight
| ing look, which the Others had remembered.
They had not long TO wait, The sounds of
rude rude larshter, En-, coarse skylarking. and voices
uor came from the rocky, trail. And then step
| toe appeared with part of his struggling follow
ors who were celebrating their easy invasion by
| Gathering their picks and shovels and beating
loudly upon their tins and prospecting pans.
The three partners quickly recognized the stamp
mcn,s They we're the waits and strays Of ,'saE San
Francisco wharves. of Sacramento dens. OF dis.
solqte mountain towns; and there was not,
probably. a sing le actual miner among them. 4
raging scorn and contempt took possession OF
act Value As ssept"c passed before the 'I open: en-
ing OF the tunnel he hoard tho cry of g Haiti"
benra S wPI dP his s r saSSS not thirty yards
behind their breastworkss of rock along the ledge
more. IIo saw that his plot was known. Out.
law and desperate as he was he saw that he had
and from Rn hat he m"s be hs
gressor, He saw he was fighting no irresponsi
BILE hirelngs like his own, but men of position
ana Importance, whose loss would make n stir
Against their rifles the few rcvolvcrs that his
men chanced to have slnng to them were of lit,
| tle ayaiL but he was not cowcd, although his
few followers stumbled together al this mo
mEsnt"ry IL check half "pgrliy, nall !mOrousy
other men and their guns. " he whispered ficrcoy
to ,! tRS M;hn nearest, are Then he faced stacy;
g., wig no are YOU to stop peaceful miners going
t o Who own he SaSsI Sf
turning to his mon with hoarse laugh. il
nin't even thr bank. It's only Jim Stacy that
Jim Stacy ami his brokon.down pals. And
what's the thief doing herein Marshall
tMnnei-the only spot that Marshall can claim
| though were neghbors ON The same claim; bu,
WS % ain,t going to sec Marshall oustcd BY trainps
No, by CD, said his followers. dropping
the pans and seizing their picks and revoivcrs
They understood the appeal TO arms. If not tc
nent: Then tho voice from behind them said:
Y, You necdnt trouble yoursc YES about that
I'm m Marshall sent these gentlcmcn 10 occupy
| Tue clam until came here with the surveyor.
ana two men stepped from thickct Of myrtle II
the rear Of SIeptoe and his followers. The speak
averaged man; his companion. thc surveyor, wai
equally slight, but red.bcardcd, specialized nnC
professional looking, with a long travelling dus
scarcely % @ phyca hi SSSioH sSS Gsr%S to aay phS
party, whatever might he their moral support,
strangeIv was n ]Ist m ms i SUPPORT that Slepto
and wild Idea seized him The surveyor wa,
really the only disnterested witness between In
before the actual ightlng-from which he womia
OF course, escape as a non,cOmbatant-it would
70 lar afteTward to rehabilitete steptoe's party
very Well, then, he said ~ Marshall, II shai
cail TINS gentleman TO witness that we have beeI
attacksd here In peaceable possession OF ou
p"F' VI 'ne claim by these armed strangers, and