Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1899-12-20

among the rocks, but suddenly one of
the men mounted horse and drove tine
rest directly toward the hidden atcher.
What's he drivin' at?" muttered
Bowers to himself
AS the rider drew near the miner was
forced to throw himself mt full length
on the ground to escape besg seen. and
be 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 a
few sharp blows, which sent them of
at full speed.
Then he returned 10 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 to 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?"
That's what | said. It's good one.
too. Suppose YOU could find yer way
back to Dyca?"
of course | could. Why?"
I'm goin' ter tell yer why. Thar's
about a dozen good critters turned
loose. They're worth $500 apiece in
Dyea, ] dunno but more. You don't
seem ter want ter put up a bluff an line
I1n RI Nn'1 I.n. IL
you drive en- 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 Their sun is risin' show YER
self mint. That night hev the horses
thar an I'll jine yer. Understan'?"
But what are you goin to do?"
That's my funeral. You do Jest as
L tell yer. Don't make any slip. II
wouldn't be very healthy fer yer if 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
question he could settle later on. At
present ut was enough to be rid of the
desperate man who eyed him as if read
ing his very thoughts.
You'll come back. | shall have gold
enough to make us both rich or else |
shan't be 'bove ground I'm takin' all
the resk an eff yer don't come back
| shall prob'ly miss yer. I'll do my part
an you see you do yours"
y VS. evident that he was about to
engage in some despe rate 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 II days" said Bowers. II shall
look fer yer bout that time So long"
Rider started off on the back trail al
once, and while he is making his way to
Dyea we must follow Hank Bowers as
he rides around the bowlder and ap-
Proaches the spot where Tom Scott and
his party had camped the night be-
fore.
He 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
chH between the scattered rocks in the
same direction he had seen the outfit
carried.
III 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 hain't got wings an
they must be here somewhere or they'd
never drove off them horses THEY'RE in
some place horses couldn't be took. but
whar is it? Tain't up Their valley,
cause | seen 'em come in here with nv
own eyes"
For some time he paced about the
spot. examining each bowldcr to see
that there was no hiding place near it.
but he could discover nothing and be-
gan 10 grow angry.
wouldn't it be slick if that cuss
should sell the bosses an skip out an
| shouldn't find these-UeIlo. What's
that
His restless eyes at last noticed the
mass Of vines which covered the open-
ing in the c!iT. and with wrench he
tore il aside
GIVE 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
so! This beats all ever saw"
Ahead Of him was sharp turn. and
just before lie reached II there was
crash like thunder, and an instant later
the way was blocked by massive rock
which would have crushed him had he
been q few feet further ahead.
In spite Of his wonderful nerve Bow
ers was so startled chat he uttered
shout Of di-uay. which reached the ears
Of the men above.