The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-23

carried load after load out OF sight
among the rocks. but suddenly one Of
the men mounted horse and drove the
rest directly toward the hidden watcher.
whats he drivin' at?" muttered
Bowers 10 himself.
AS the rider drew near the miner was
forced 10 throw himself at full length
on the ground TO escape being seen, and
he fingered his revolver grimly. Tar
box was too busy with the horses TO look
very sharply about him, and soon
turned back after giving the animals n
few sharp blows, which sent them of
at full speed.
Then he returned to his party, and
at last they had all disappeared from
sight.
Bowers waited until he was satisfied
that they would not reappear; then he
stretched his cramped limbs and hur-
ried back 10 Rider, who was impatient
ly awaiting him.
"What are they doing?" asked the
latter, eagerly.
They've turned all their critters
loose an hid away somewheres," was
the reply. "See here, Rider, I've got a
scheme"
"a scheme?"
"Thats what said. It's good one,
too. Suppose you could find yer way
back to Dyea?"
"Of course / could. Why?"
"I'm goin' ter tell yer why. Thar's
about a dozen good critters turned
loose. They're worth 5000 apiece in
Dyea, / dunno but more. You don't
seem ter want ter put up bluff an jine
this party. Wen ketch them horses an
you drive 'em back TO Dyea an sell 'em.
Bring one spare critter back with yer
fer me an one fer Their swag. When
yer git back come ter tibet big bowlder
an jest as ther sun is risin' show yer
self mint. That night hev the horses
thar an I'll jine yer. UNDERSTAND.
"But what are you goin' to do?"
That's my funeral. You do jest as
/ tell yer. Don't make any slip. 1t
wouldn't be very healthy fer yer IL yer
went back on me. I'd foller yer all
over kingdom come"
Rider jumped at the proposal.
Whether he would return or not was a
question he could settle later on. AT
present ii was enough 10 be rid of the
desperate man who eyed him as IL read
ing his very thoughts.
you'll come back. / shall have gold
enough to make us both rich or else
shan't be Dove ground. I'm takin' all
the resk an ef yer don't come back
shall prob'ly miss yer. I'll do my part
an you see you do yours"
1t was evident that he was about TO
engage in some desperate scheme, and
Rider fastened TO assure him that he
would be back as fast as possible.
you'll travel light an you orter be
back in 10 days. said Bowers. II shall
look fer yer bout that time, SO long"
Rider started Off on the back trail at
once, and while he is making his way 10
Dyea we must follow Hank Bowers as
he rides around the bowlder and APP
proaches the spot where Tom Scotland
his party had camped the night be-
FORE
lie had no means of telling whether
his approach was observed or not, but
he rode boldly forward and soon
reached the deserted camp. Here he
dismounted and walked toward the
cliff between the scattered rocks in the
same direction he had seen the outfit
carried.
"I'll swear this is the way they went
he said aloud as he paused before the
face Of the cliff and looked keenly
about him. They hafn't got wings an
they must be here somewhere or they'd
never drove Oft them horses, They're in
some place horses couldn't be took, but
whar Is IL? Tain't up Their valley
cause | seen 'em come in here with my
own eyes"
For some time he paced about the
spot, examining each bowlder to see
that there was no hiding place near it
but he could discover nothing and be
gan TO grow angry.
"Wouldn't il be slick IL that cuss
should sell the bosses an skip out an
shouldn't find these-Hello! What's
thatl"
His restless eyes at last noticed the
mass OF vines which covered the open
ing in the cliff, and with wrench he
tore il aside.
'rve got it now" he cried, as he en-
tered without hesitation and made his
way along the rocky passage. what
luck! No wonder they let the critters
go! This beats all ever saw!"
Ahead Of him was n sharp turn, and
just before he reached il there was a
crash like thunder, and an instant later
the way was blocked by massive rock
which would have crushed him had he
been a few feet further ahead.
In spite of his wonderful nerve Bow.
ers was so startled that he uttered q
shout Of dismay, which reached the ears
| Of the men above.
CHAPTER XII.
DIGGING A FORTUNE.
| ~. n..... dfl - r.. !. =. :.