Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-02-08

Copyright. 1897, by S. S. Mcclure CO.
Continued from yesterdays issue)
CHAPTER XIV.
A FIND.
1t was an unpleasant discovery to
know that after parting company with
tbe ill-fayOred man who was known to
be d friend and comrade of the rogue
Ike Hardman, and after travelling hun
dreds Of miles to this lonely spot
among a spur Of the Rocky mountains
in British Columbia, the boys should
meet the fellow again. Doubles he
vas engaged on the same errand as
themselves, and the presumption was
that sooner or later he would be Joined
by Hardman.
II don't know that there is any dam
eer, said Roswell, but it would be
more comfortable to know that they
we're not going to be our neighbors. "
Lets follow up the man and ques-
ton him." said Frank, starting to
climb the rocks behind which the
others face had vanished. 1t took
Only a few minutes to reach the spot,
but when they did So and looked
around, nothing was seen of him.
He evidently doesn't wish to make
our acquaintance, said Frank.
Il hope he will continue to feel that
way. we must tell Jeff and Tim about
this. Let's hurry back to camp"
They now started to descend the
stream, which they had followed from
the point where they left their lug
gage. BY using the brook as their
guide they were in no danger of los
ing their way.
About half the distance was passed
when they came to point where the
walking looked better on the other
side. The stream was so narrow that
Frank, who was in the lead, easily
leaned across. Roswell started to fol-
low but tripped and fell on his hands
and knees. one foot splashing in the
water which was only few inches
In depth, and as clear as crystal.
Are you hurt?" asked Frank, paus-
ing and looking around at him.
Not a bit; don't know what made
me 50 awkward"
Hello what's that?'
At first Frank thought it was a small
fish holding itself stationary in the
brook. but that could not be, and he
stopped down to see more clearly.
With an exclamation, he dashed his
hand into the water and drew out a
rough. irregular nugget nearly two
inches in diameter each way. 1t was
bright yellow in color, and so heavy
that there could be no doubt of it's ma
ture.
It's gold" he exclaimed, in half
frightened undertOne, as he passed it
to Roswell. who was as much excited
MS he. He "hefted' it and held it up
to the light
No mistake; it is. wonder what
it is WORTH"
Several hundred dollars at least, I'll
bet there are lots more about here"
They straightway began a vigorous
search up and down stream, confident
Of finding other similar nuggets, but
none was discovered, and finally they
reached the place where their baggage
had been left, and where Tim and Jeff
We're awaiting them.
Lock, called the delighted Frank,
holding up the nugget. See what we
found
BE gorra, But l shouldn't wonder
If that's worth something" remarked
Tim, catching the contagion. JEFF
merely smiled and reached out his
hand without any excitement.
Let me have a look at it.
He never used glasses, nor did he
bring any ashes with which to test
such yellow metals as they might find,
for he needed neither. He had been
trained too well in his early manhood.
The instant he noted its great weight
he was convinced of the truth. But,
without speaking for a minute or two,
he turned the nugget over, held it up
to the light, and then put it between
lis big sound teeth, as if it We're
hickory nut which he wished to
crack. He looked at the abrasion made
Dy his teeth, tossed the nugget several
1set in the air and catching 1t IN his
palm as it descended, said:
THAT pure gold; haven't you any
more?'
No" replied Frank. 1--WE searched,
but couldn't find any"
jeff moved his hand up and down
and closed one eye, as if that would
help him TO estimate the weight more
exactly.
Il should say that it was worth from
six to eight hundred dollars; you yon-
kers have made pretty good wages for
to-day; l hope" he added, quizzlcally,
you'll be able to keep it up.
And how have you made out?'
asked Roswell.
Tim says he didn't come onto any
thing that looks like pay dirt, but
struck a spot that gives me hope;
well locate here for a while"
Of course it was impossible for the
party to bring any material down with
them from which to construct dwell
ing. The regulation miners cabin is
j. by II feet, with walls Or feet high
and gables ? feet higher. 1t consists
Oh a single room with the roof heavily
earthed and the worst sort of ven
tlation, owing to the small windows
ana the necessity of keeping warm in
climate that sometimes drops to fifty
or sixty degrees below zero. The
miners keep close within the cabins
during the terrible winter weather, or
IL It permits, they sink a shaft to bed
rock and then tunnel in different direc-
tons. The ground never thaws below
H. =