The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-29

then, apparently satisfied that the par
ty was settled for the night, he stole
noiselessly away, his evil face lighted
up with look of triumph.
But Bowers found it no easy task to
retrace his steps. It was now very
dark, aid as Rider had not dared to
light a fire there was nothing to guide
his companion, who stumbled about as
best he could, not daring to shout for
fear he might alarm the party he had
just been watching. He became hope
lessly lost at,last and was about to give
up the search until daylight when he
heard a horse stamping.
Confident there was no one but Rider
near him, he called softly, and to his in
tense delight the sailor answered from
a point not 20 yards away:
rs that you, Bowers?"
EYES," was the surly reply, as the big
miner reached his side, land I've had a
nice time gittin' here, too. I'm starved"
''Shan I light a fre?" asked Rider.
"I've got it all ready, but was skit-
fish about lighting it till found out
WnaL you mad SEEN.
"You don't light no fire here" growled
the other. "We've got ter put up with
cold grub tonight. We've been regular
done for, we have!"
"What's the matter?"
!. Matter enuff! In the fustp that
Tarbox chap we see start for Dyea has
met a party an turned back. One O.
ther men is named Avery"
"Avery!"
The mates teeth chartered as he
gasped:
"But I saw him buried at sea!'
"Rot! Theremay be more'n one Avery
in Their world! Didn't that letter say
somethin' bout a man named Bill that
was to come? Course it did! Mebbei it's
the old chaps brother or cousin or
somethin'.
Then there's two young chaps that
looked like sailors an young gal that
I take ter be Avery's darter by the way
she stayed round him. They've routed
out the chap as wrote the letter an
they've all gone into camp under big
cliff not more'n mile from where we're
sittin' this mint"
The young men must be Scott and
the second mate" said Rider, land
don't you see these papers are no good
to- US after all our trouble? We can't
do anything now but give the thing up
and make for the Kondike, We've got
good out"
"Make for nothin'!" was the savage
interruption. Them men hev got a
gold mine right round heresomewheres
and I've as much right there, as they
hev if can only find it. I'd like ter
see 'em drive me off. You can go to the
Klondike if yer like, but yer don't take
any O. this stuff'with yer. See?"
Like most DULLES, Obed Rider was
easily cowed by q bigger bully than
himself and he dared not make the re-
ply which came to his lips. Instead he
said:
'"But can't join these men after taxi
ing these papers from Scott. There'd
be trouble
Il didn't say / was goin' to jine 'em.
Look here, Rider, are yer scared or not?
Here we are, two stout chapswith plen-
~ OF grub an the horses. We knows
jest whar them fellers are now, an
they don't know whar we be. If we
keeps our eyes open thar's sure ter be
chance for business. Will yer stick
ter me or not?''
Rider had little choice. He dared not
demand half the outfit his own money
had purchased, and was forced TO sub
NIT, so with a show Of sincerity he ex-
claimed:
"Of course III stick, Bowers!"
"All right. Now, you keep watch the
fust half Of ther night an call me for
ther last. We've got ter, be movin'
bright an early"
In five minutes the hard ened rascal
was snoring, while Rider stood guard.
He had no stomach for Bowers com
pany now, and would gladly have left
him, but the miner had gained such an,