The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-07-06


might In the morning he made no ret
erence to the events of the night be-
fore, but led the way toward Dyea as
rapidly as his horse could carry him,
his head dropped, while Rider was in
wardly vowing to part company with
him as soon as they reached the mining
camp.
They met no one on the way, and
without accident reached Dyen late one
evening. Then Rider remembered that,
he had no funds. BE could not leave his
companion on that account, and while
he was hesitating how to extricate him
self from the dilemma Bowers invited
him to drink at the first bar.
That settled it. The strong liquor
wrought a marvellous change in his
cowardly heart, and soon both he and
his companion were oblivious to every
thing but the fact that they had money
and liquor was to be had for the price.
knowing his own weakness, however,
Bowers had taken care to place his
dust in safe keeping, retaining only
enough for the enjoyment of his favor
tie dissipation.
From oneresortt to another they made
their way, drinking, fighting, maudlin
and quarrelsome by turns, until they
both were unceremoniously showed in
bare room back of one of the bars,
utterly unconscious of their surround
ings.
The next day they continued their de-
bauch, but Bowers was careful to carry
only enough dust to pay his way from
day to day. After the first night he
kept his head marvelously, considering
the amount of fiery liquor he absorbed,
while Rider was no sooner sober than
he overdrank again.
Their days were a repetition of each
other, and several times they narrow
ly escaped arrest by the vigilance COM
mittee. Then something happened which
might have been expected among such
a collection of adventures.
A reckless character, who had been at
the camp long enough to spend his last
dollar and dispose of his outfit for
drink, had taken notice of our two ras-
calls as theylounged about in the drink
ing places, paying their way with gold
dust. AS they were apparently drunk
most of the time, he determined to re-
heve them of some of the wealth they
were spending so recklessly.
A few inquiries informed him where
Bowers had depositedhis source of sup
plies, and he watched until the miner
went for fresh portion one evening.
Rider was helplessly intoxicated, and
Bowers had been indulging freely him
self. He placed little pouch contain
ing about $500 in dust in his pocket,
and reeled out in the darkness without
the faintest thought of danger.
A heavy blow behind the ear suddenly
sent him to his knees, and a pair of
strong hands grasped his throat at the
same moment, but the owner had no
easy task to accomplish his object. The
realization of his danger fully sobered
Bowers, and with stifled curse he tore
the grip from his throat and gained his
feet by main strength.
It was too dark to see his assailant,
but Hank Bowers was no coward, and
instead of attempting to flee or cali for
help, he grappled silently with the
would-be robber.
1t did not last long. Once his arms
were about his enemy, Bowers was
master of the situation. Inch by inch
he bent the other back until human
endurance could bear no more, and
with groan the mans muscles relaxed
and he fell heavily with Bowers on
top of him.
"Struck a snag that time, didn't yer?'
he demanded, grimly, seating himself
on the others breast and holding his
wrists SO that he could not draw q
weapon.
LET me up, blast y r!" was the sullen
reply as the man tried in vain to move.
WANT ter get up? All right, pard
Jest remember I've got gun agin ye1
ribs, though, an if yer don't go alpquie1
I'll let a hole. through yer!"
AS he spoke he arose and allowed t.h<
manto do likewise, keeping a stout grir
on his collar. Then he said, sternly:
go on where push yer. I want tel
} see yer face.'
A short walk brought them to tn,
tent where Rider and Bowers slept, ani
into this the latter conducted his pris
: oner and lit a candle.
The light showed the face of a maj
about 30 years, with an expression q
ferocity which was revolving, but Bow
ers surveyed it with satisfaction as h,
asked: ~.
"Well, Mr.. Man, what made yer tackl,
me? Hard up?'
"Yes."
The fellow gazed at him unflin ching
ly as he spoke. .-
Il s'pose yer know / could come pref
ty near hevin' yer hung fer this job 2"
DO it, D. yer, an don't talk abou
it, was the prompt reply. 4" 81.
Bowers released his grip, produced
bottle of liquor from his pocket ana
held it toward his companion, sayings:
Take a drink. You're a man afte
my own heart, you be. You an I xii
; do business, I guess. How would We
ike ter. lay yer paws on a couple q
hundred thou, all in dust an nuggets I?
What's that yer saying 2" replied til