The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-22

OA4 ssASA4 ~ 4 evil Y luc sllldl "
blood ran cold in his veins. He began
2to4feel ecidedly uneasy in this mans
company. What assurance had he that
this INSCRIPTIONS ruffian would not
treat him in the same manner after his
ends were served
As II reading his thoughts Bowers
laughed hoarsely, and exclaimed:
What's the matter, Rider? 'Fraid
I'll go back on yer? Don't worry as
long as yer use me on the square. I'll
stick ter yer, but yer too chicken heart
ed for a job like this
The day had been very warm and
sunny, for summer comes all at once in
this part of the country. They had
built'a small fire to make their coffee,
and were lying in their ten where they
could command quite a view of the trail
ahead. 1t was still light, and as the
speaker glanced carelessly over the val
ley in which they had halted he uttered
q sharp exclamation and sprang to his
feet. .~'. ..... 80
''Thar's something movin' over thar"
he said quickly, shading his eyes with
his hand as if to aid his vision. cts q
man. an he's afoot, headin' fer our
fire, jest as sure's yer born! Ten dollars
ter one it's our man! Remember you're
Mister Tom Scott, and don't make q
mess of i'll" -. Z.
Rider soon saw dark figure drawing
near, them, and when it was but few
rodS n ~, uo;oo Oh
''Hello, there!' 49,.
"Hello!" responded Bowers, stepping
from the tent .y. f.. 49,.
The stranger came rapidly toward
him, and there was light enough to re-
veal a powerfully-built man of middle
age, who wore a small pack on his
back and carried a serviceable looking
revolver at his belt. His beard was
long and unkempt, but he walked with
long, swinging step, which told Of
unimpaired vigor.
When he reached the tent he looked
sharply at the two men. AS his eyes
rested upon Riders companion puz-
zled look came in to them for an instant,
but he said, heartily:
Hello, mates, which way are you
bound?"
up this way" replied Bowers, jerk
ing his thumb in the direction from
which the stranger had appeared.
Going up the Yukon way?"
Not quite"
The man looked bit uneasy, but
Bowers, who had been watching his
face closely, now said:
dump yer load, pardner, an camp
long with u.s. We've got some prime
coffee an bacon, an them Goals is jest
right ter cook on. We've fed, but yer
welcome. If yer jest in from long
tramp I dare say as yer kinder low on
grub
| Without waiting for reply he seized
the coffee. pot and set to work in way
which showed he was no novice.
The stranger laid aside his pack, and
| was soon eating with a relish, which
did justice to his hosts supposition.
When he could eat no more Bowers
said:
Got any tobacco?"
II,
was the reply.
That's tough! Here's pipe. Join
ust"s ,@s>} s,T-. -, ..-....-. 49,
His manner was so cordial and frank
that Rider looked at him in wonder.
The stranger eagerly accepted the pipe,
and for few moments sat in silence,
drawing huge puffs of the fragrant
weed with an enjoyment which fairly
spoke for itself.
Suddenly Riders companion slapped
hisrthigh as though he had just
thought of something wonderful, and,
turning to the mate with look of
warning, exclaimed:
by thunder, Scott, you don't sup
posecthis is"
He, stopped in the middle of the SEN
tence and looked searchingly at the
stranger, then continues:
1T would be funny, wouldn't it,
Scott, if we had met him out here! You
know the letter said he was comm
down this month fer grub"
The stranger looked wonderingly at
| the two men and Bowers fastened to
say:ax
Excuse me, stranger, but might
your name be Tarbox?"
The man took his pipe from his lips
ands stared at the speaker for full Sec
ond0before replying, then he replied:
"t might be and it is. How did you
know ,me?'
AN yer pardner's name is Taylor?''
This time the man was too astonished
to reply, and Bowers wenton: 81 i
You're goin' ter Dyea after grub, an
he's back in the hills. Amt that all
straight" .-- ..s.. ..
Joe Tarbox rose to his feet and laid
his hand on his weapon, saying in a
quiet tone: .... 49, = .-.-..~ :
That is correct, but it's my turn to
ask questions now. How did you find
all this out?" ~, 49,. -, -
Bowers turned to the mate and said
promptly: .sH
."To1n, old man, you tell him our
| yarn an let him see the documents.
That'll soon put things straight
my name is Scott said Rider. 81
| was an officer on the ship where man