The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-12-15

CHAPTER XVI.-CONTINUED
A short walk through the scattering
trees brought the three men to the close
columns of the main forest, and soon
Tom saw what appeared to be a con-
firmatiOn of the mans story, for in a
little opening toward which they were
directing their steps he could distin
guish the outlines of a hut.
This is the place" said the guide, as
they reached the entrance. Come in
Tom was right at his heels and fol-
lowed him without hesitation. 1t was
now growing dark, and at first he could
not distinguish objects distinctly, but
gradually he became accustomed to the
semi4ight and saw a mans form
stretched on the ground in one corner
of the interior, while deep groan came
from the spot.
Hank Bowers had altered his plans
somewhat since first outlining them, for
faint voice said:
who is it, Turner"
There was no installing the voice.
Both Tom and the second mate recog-
nized it instantly as belonging TO the
mate of the Seabird. Tom stepped
quickly 10 his side and bent over him,
saying:
Its Tom Scott, the man you robbed
and nearly killed."
1'Tom ScOtt!"
Rider seemed, to raise himself on his
elbow by a great effort and whispered:
'sThank heaven! Here! Take the pa
pers stole! L didn't hit you! 1t was
some one else. 1 did rob you, though.
Here, take them an say yer forgive
me!'
Without any suspicion of danger Tom
bent compassionately over the form of
the recumbent man to take the papers,
when he felt his pistol slip from his belt.
A hand had withdrawn it from behind.
1t was the hand of the guide.
Tom Strengthened up and turned
sharply to find the muzzle of revolver
within an inch of his face, while at the
same instant Hank Bowers appeared in
the doorway and covered the second
mate with weapon, saying sharply:
Hands up! If yer move, yer dead
meni''
It is needless to say that both Tom
and Green did as they were bid. 1t was
madness to attempt resistance, for not
only was there something in the mans
tone that showed he was in earnest, but
a third reason presented itself in the
shape of a weapon in the hand of Rider
whose face wore an expression of devil
ish triumph at seeing Toms pale face.
''What do you want of us?" demand
ed Green, who was the first TO find his
tongue.
eve want YOU" was the prompt re-
oily. "Then we want the rest of the
pa ~, an we may as we'll take in thel
dust while we're about it. Turner
take them. guns away from 'em, an
see they hain't got none out er sight
This was done, and he added:
''Here, Rider, tie 'em up, hand an
foot You ought ter be handy at max
in knots that won't slip, seem as yel
"a sailor
4 rope which had evidently been pre-
oared for the occasion was produced
and cut into requisite lengths, aftel
which Rider bound both prisoners sc
-cureIv and rolled them helpless int
the corner of the hut, completing hi
work by tying pieces of blanket owe
their mouths in such a way that while
they could breathe they could not CIV
an alarm if so disposed.
All this was accomplished muci
quicker than it takes to tell IT, and II
less than five minutes from the tlm
Tom and his friend crossed the thresh
old of the hut they were bound am
helpless prisoners, while Hank Bower
and his two partners were congratulat
ing themselves on the outside at tn
complete success of their scheme
It was now so dark that they knew
the party must camp for the nlgh
where it was. That search would b
made soon for the missing men wa
more than probable, and, after a shor
consultation, they concealed them
selves near the hut and waited.
Deeper and deeper fell the shadows
until at length they were forced to tn
conclusion that the miners had takel
the alarm.
"I'll try again" said Turner, at last
at won't do to hev them suspectln any
thin has happened ter them chaps. -
go out ter where they are an' say IN
two young fellows know Their SICK ma
gu Is goin' ter stay by him teTnigh