Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-06-13


SEQ, there's man coming this wayi"
you. Can you vouch for these two
men? Is this really the Scott your
brother mentioned in his will?"
What do you know about his will 2"
demanded Tom, blankly.
Because I've seen it,,
"Seen It'll was robbed of it In FRS
CO."
The mate must have shown it to
him!" broke in Green. 81 knew l was
right all the tine!"
The questions now flew thick and
fast and soon Tarbox was made aware
of the true state of affairs. Tom
showed him the Identification he had
brought from San Francisco which re-
moved the last lingering doubt, but
their new acquaintance was determined
to take no chances. He maintained a
discreet silence in regard to the mine
and its exact location, declaring that
until his partner had seen and acknowl-
edged the party he was not at liberty to
reveal any of the secrets.
AT length Avery said, abruptly:
but you are not going to Dyea now?
We have supplies enough here to feed
our party and you two besides for the
next year. You must come back with
us. We ought to hurry as fast as we
can with those two scoundrels ahead
of us. They may catch Dick with the
papers they've got. How can he tell
but what they are all straight?"
Tarbox chuckled grimly as he re-
piled:
''They won't find him. You'll under
stand better when you get there. Dick
will know the tallest galoot the mo-
ment he sets his eyes on him. We've
both seen him before. The sailor picked
out just the man to queer him with
Dick. If it wasn't for that might feel
little bit uneasy, but it's all right,
tell you. Dick Taylor is no tenderfoot.
We might US we'll camp for the night.
It'll soon be dark. If all this stuff is
grub there's enough TO feed the whole
Klondike country"
He was firm in his refusal to pro-
coed further that day, and, in fact, by
VIZ tiihC luC lOduS lldu UGeH ISIuONGu
from the horses and the animals cared
for the sun had disappeared The tents
were soon pitched and after supper
and a friendly chat the entire party
stretched themselves on their rude
couches and were soon asleep.
An early start was made the follow
ing morning, and, three days later, as
they reached the top of a long hill, Tar
box pointed to white cliff few miles
to the north and said:
There is where the trail branch
es off to our place. It's only about
rs or 80 miles then. We'd better
push ahead and see if we can't make it
before dark"
An hour later they reached the land
mark Tom could not see any sign of
trail in the direction in which Tar
box turned his horses head, but after
moment the latter pointed to spot
where the marks of hoofs were plainly
to be seen and said coolly:
Our two friends managed to find
their way, see."
He had not uttered threat against
the men who had tried to deceive him,
but Tom felt certain there would be
day OF reckoning in the near future.
There was an air Of resolution about
their guide which is only gained by
contact with danger in its various
forms.
Push the horses along" said Tarbox.
I'VE shan't want all of them after to-
day. Mebbe we shan't want them at all.
We can't keep them where we are go
ing"
But there's plenty of meat on their
bones" said Tom.
I'VE won't need it,
IarboS was apparently determined
not to explain himself and the subject
was dropped. Mile after mile was rap
idly traversed. for the country was
comparatively open, and even the pack
horses could trot at times. Still the
guide showed no sign of pausing, and
at last the sun was dipping behind the
horizon. Then he suddenly turned to
the left around huge bowlder toward
which they had been travelling for some
time, and the rest saw directly in front
of them the SUBMITS OF two lofty hills
the gorge between them being densely
wooded about half way up on either
side.
The tops were still crowned with
snow, upon which the setting sun shone
Its crimson rays until they seemed
bathed in blood.
For some distance on the left of the
travellers extended a perpendicular cliff
fully hundred feet high and accessible
only to the birds. On the right the
ascent was more gradual, but the trees
were very denHe until the snow line was
Ssached.