The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-09-01
CHAPTER XVII.
CONCLUSION

the forenoon trying TO pass the wood,
and then the leader said:
1T amt no use goin' any farther this
way. We might as well 90 back ter
heir trail. Them $aols has gone ter
Dyea as fast as their feet kin take 'em
ter try an find us. Come on"
He wheeled his horse.a as he spoke. and
the others followed his example. The
sun was below the horizon when the
tired animals once more entered the
track they had left that morning. and
Bowers hurried his along. remarltinp:
I'VE might as well git along ter Their
old hut agin an camp ternight. Itll
rave Their bother Of sticking out our tent
an cuttin' beds. Stir up those crit
ters!"
Half an hour laterthey had reached
the spot where they left their prisoners
1t was deserted. and Bowers chuckled
with satisfaction as he said:
Think of 'em trampiu for all they're
wuth am we with an their stuff"
As he spoke he dismounted. and
added:
"We'N hey ter lead these critters in
ter Their bush with ms afore we uupack
EN-. We must put all Their dust in the
hut with us. | don't take no chances.
Wen stan a watch, too"
After some trouble the horses were
led to the hut, the gold uuloaded and
placed within. Then Bowers threw
himself on the pile of boughs, saying:
Come on, Turner, lets warm our
eyes. I'm too sleepy ter eat Rider,
you keep watch fer awhile, an then
wake one O Us up"
Almost as he spoke ne dropped asleep.
an example promptly followed 10y FUR
ner, while Rider sat by the door yawn-
! ing. Neither man had slept the uight
before and soon his head began to
droop,
Finding IL impossible to keep awake,
in this position he arose and paced
slowly up and down in front Of the hut,
as he had been accustomed to 90 on
shipboard.
He did not see dark form which
drew nearer each time his back was
turned.
Closer and closer It crept until it
reached q tree at the end OF his route.
] 1 lt lltAL IlTnN ut AuIItN MS Dhfk 10 Al
he was seized by the throat rom be-
hind with grip which com plStely shut
otf his breath while a stern whisper
sounded in his ear:
MAKE a sound and I'll kill you like
dog!"
Obed Rider made no attempt to strug-
| gle after the first involuntary start of
surprise The cold rim Of Steel pressed
against his ear was too strong an argu-
ment in addition TO the viselil>e grip on
his windpipe.
The latter was luosened when he
ceased struggling and the voice wills
pered;
"Corne with me quietly, or it'll be the
worse for you!"
The speaker pushed him along . few
yards until he reached spot wher, ho
could readily distinguish the outline.
of several men under tree. As they
approached the group, his captOr said;
Here he Is. Now, what shall we do
with him?"
1t was Tarbox who stood behind the
prisoner, and he added;
zone of YOU take away his weapons"
Tom Scott sprang to the side of his
old enemy and TO his delight found
two loaded revolvers in his belt, which
he secured, giving one to Taylor.
Avery had taken the one from his
daughter, and Tom found ,hat the car
tridges in the weapon JUS secured fit
ted the empty revolver he had found in
the hut.
To slip three of them into it. was the
work of a moment. Then our friends
found they had four weapons ready for
use, and determined to lose no time in
recovering their golden treasure.
Lets surround the hut" said Tom
eagerly, land call them out. They'll
surrender when they find they have no
show with us"
But Avery advised caution. They re
I desperate men," he said, land they will
fight when cornered. We don't want
any bloodshed over this affair if we can
help it, When daylight comes they
may be glad to give us the gold to save
their skins, but if we surprise them in
the dark somebody is likely to get
killed"
See here" said TarboX, suddenly,
still gripping Riders collar with his
sinewy hand, why can't this rascal
help u.s. Send him back, and let him
get hold of the guns in the hut and
bring them out. II he tries any crook
ed business III put bullet through him
myself at the first sign"
you hear?" said Taylor. "Now be
off, and remember we are six TO Your
three. We already have the horses
safe. and if you serve us well you shall
go free, although you ought to be hung
for what you have done. Go back and
get all the weapons you can out of the
hut. bury up!'
But Bowers will shoot me in min
ute IL he wakes, whispered Rider, fear
fully.
"Shoot him first, then" was the
prompt response. I'm shoot you if you
| act the least bit suspiciOus No more