Evening star., 1898-08-27

one if it's like the thing what chased me
from that valley"
With an effort Quin Gained himself. Fool
ish as belief seemed. the Americans story
bore too much evidence of blunt truth to be
rejected: il was well worth investigation.
To find a living mastodon! The thought
thrilled him anew, and his voice trembied
as he asked;
''Will you take me to that placer
Il was thinking of it," Crane replied.
THE fact is I'm locking for partner, and
I've sort of cOttoned to you, Mr.. Quin.
want to go back It's shame to let that
gold lie there idle. And I've got scheme
for lifting some of it, in spite of that horny
monster II were lucky, We ought to re-
turn millionaires."
Quins mind was bent on more than gold.
If there was mastodon, it must be Sc
cured for Hamrach & Company. The task
would be colossal, but what of that? No
expenditure of time, of money. of labor
would be wasted in pursuit of such prize
But it would be wisest for the present. to
Keep ms real purpose from the American.
perhaps the creature is no longer in the
valley he suggested.
It's a prisoner there-it can't get out
Crane replied, stoutly. 1T beats me how it
ever got in
rs there plenty OF big timber along the
shores?' Quin asked, with assumed care
lessness.
Heaps of il on one side. regular
forest
And could a large boat-a barge the size
of a small ship-be hoated out to the Yukon
from the lower end of the valIey?'
An ocean steamer, if you like" said
Crane, with cunning laugh Il see your
little game. Mr.. Quin. But it's no use, take
my word for II. That animal amt to be
trapped, any more than you could lasso a
railway train going at full speed. And it's
bullet-proof, toor'
There must be a wav to take If alive
said Quin- Good heavensi think what the
world would say f.
Hold on interrupted Crane. Come
uoWn 70 business Here is my offer, and it
cQudnt be fairer. I'll take you to the
place, and if things work right we'u leave
IL fortnight later with a boatload of gold
en- nuggets After that the valley. and
What IN 1t, is your property. If you choose
10 make tool OF yourself over that four
tusked elephant, why that's no lookout of
mine I'll be in the states eniovine NV
pile: Is it a bargain?'
yes Quin exclaimed, eagerly: and he
paHions hand.
They sat up until long past midnight
S Srane dio most of the talking, graphically
uSscFiplng MS previous adventure and ex-
pialnlng how he hoped to be more success
IuI on his second visit to the valley of gold
IneF could not start at once he said ow-
ing 10 the snow in the mountain passes.
put IN fortnight the spring would be well
advanced, and meanwhile they woul6 mako
their preparations
Ihe interval passed quickly What sup
phes they needed were obtained from the
trader at the settlement, and when all was
ready, except the weather Quin epioyed
some shooting and fishing A third man
was CHOSEN by Crane for the expedition-a
trusty, English-speaking Indian whose ma
tive name. translated, was Brown otter.
Early in the third week the Bluebird put
in at Raneau for a few hours, and Quin
sent a letter by it to Karl Hamracs1. in
which he intimated that he had something
big on hand, and might not be heard of for
months TWO days later the little party
or three started inland, bound for the
Americans distant Ell Dorado
1t was the middle of the brief but lovely
summer which nature grants to SEMI Arctic
Alaska In the heart of that wonderful
ing down narrow and swift-fiowing
stream Crane and Brown Otter were pad
ding. Quin, crouched in the bow, was lost
In admiration of the exquisite and ever
changing scenery. A serene blue sky float
ed above the stately mountains, with hat
tlemented brows, that inclosed the river
right and left The tinkling of waterfalls.
the gentle signing of warm winds, the muir
muir of the current, the humming of bees
and drowsy music. The wooded shores
were green with wild roses and clover.
honeysuckle and chaparral. Yet it was not
long since cliffs and groves had been COW
cred with spotleSs white; since ayaIanehes
thundered from on high, and storm winds
swept the canyon. And soon the winter
would reign again.
Raneau the daring adventures had toiled
on foot through some of the most difficult
country IN the world, doggedly putting be-
hind them miles Of mountains. eorges and