Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-07-04
CHAPTER XIV.
AN UNHOLY COMPACT.


When Hank Bowers read the derisive
message which he had found in one of
the dummy bags of gold his rage was |
frightful. Dashing his clenched fist
against his head like a mailman, he
fairly screamed
'eToo smart for me! Well see! I'll
have my revenge if live! Your gold
isn't safe in Dyea yet my beauties, an
you needn't crow"
Then he relapsed into sullen silence
and scarcely spoke 10 Rider again that
night In the morning he made no ref
erence to the events of the night be-
fore, but led the way toward Dyea as
rapidly as his horse could carry him,
his head dropped, while Rider was in
wardly vowing to part company with
him as soon as they reached the mining
camp.
They met no one on the way, and
without accident reached Dyea late one
evening. Then Rider remembered that
he had no funds. He could not leave his
companion on THAT account, and while
he was hesitating how TO extricate him
|
| him to drink at the first bar.
That settled 1t. The strong liquor
wrought a marvellous change In his
cowardly heart, and soon both he and
his companion were oblivious to every
thing but the fact that they had money
and liquor was to be had for the price.
knowing his own. weakness, however,
| hoI oil
dust in safe keeping, retaining only
enough for the enjoyment of his favor
lite dissipation.
From one resort to another they made
their way, drinking, fighting, maudlin
and quarrelsome by turns, until they
both were unceremoniously showed in
bare room back Of one of the bars,
utterly unconscious of their surround
ings.
The next day they continued their de-
bauch, but Bowers was careful to carry
only enough dust to pay his way from
day to day. After the first night he
kept his head mnrvelously, considering
the amount of fiery liquor he absorbed,
while Rider was no sooner sober than
| he overdrank again.
Their days were a repetition OF each
other, and several times they narrow
ly escaped arrest by the vigilance com
mittee. Then something happened which
!. might have been expected among such
collection of adventurers-
A reckless character, who had been at
the camp long enough to spend his last
dollar and dispose of his outfit fol
drink, had taken notice Of our two ras
calls as they lounged aboutin the drink
ing places, paying their way with golt
dust. AS they were apparently DRUM
most of the time, he determined to re
lieve them of some OF the wealth the.
were spending SO rechessly.
A few inquiries informed him wher'
Bowers had depositedhis source OF sup
plies, and he watched until the mine
went for fresh portion one evening
Rider was helplessly intoxicated, an'
j. Bowers had been indulging freely him
self. He placed little pouch contain
ing about 5000 In dust in his pocke'
u and reeled out In the darkness withou
the faintest thought of danger.
A heavy blow behind the earsuddenl
: sent him TO his knees, and pair Q
strong hands grasped his throat at tn
same moment, but the owner had n
Y easy task to accomplish his object. III
1 realization of his danger fully sobere
Bowers, and with stitled curse he tor
the grip from-f1sahroa and gained hi
l feet by main strength.
It was too dark TO see his assailan
but Hank Bowers was no coward, an
instead of attempting to flee or call fc
help, he grappled silently with II
= would-be robber.
( 1t did not last long. Once his arm
\ were about his enemy, Bowers ";
master of the situation. Inch by int
he bent the other back until huma
endurance could bear no more. al
and he fell heavily with Bowers {
ia top of him.
Ill Struck snag thattime, didn' yer
he demanded, grimly, seating himse
on the others breast and holding h
wrists so that he could not draw
weapon.
'Let me up, blast yer!" was the sull
:. reply as the man tried in vain to move
J. WANT ter get up? All right, PAL
Jest remember I've got gun agin y
- ribs, though, an II yer don't go all qui
I'll let hole. through yer!"
ua AS he spoke he arose and allowed I
man to do likewise, keeping a stout 81
II on his collar. Then he said, sternly:
. go on where push yer. l want
see yer face"
short walk brought them TO /
tent where Rider and Bowers slept, a
into this the latter conducted his pr
oner and liua candle.
The light showed the face of II
j 4 about 30 years, with an expression
ferocity which was revolving, but Be
ers surveyed it with satisfaction as
,or asked:
W "Well. Mr. Man, what made yer tao
me? Hard up'"
YES"
>r The fellow gazed Mt him unfiinchll
ly as he spoke.
- II s'pose yer know could come pr
ty near hevin' yer hung fer this job?
do it, d yer, an don't talk alb
it," was the prompt reply.
Bowers released his grip, produce
bottle of liquor from his pocket ,
held it toward his companion, saying
"Take drink You're man al