The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-12-21
CHAPTER Y.
RUN DOWN At LAST.

RUN DOWN At LAST.
"Whai brought you back ~ quick ?"
said the newcomer, in a low tone. ~
wasn't looking for any signal. and was
just goirg to turn in when happened
10 SEE the smoke. Who have you
brought with you?"
"One of the Avcrys Is with me-" was
the reply. ITS long story. Dick. I
met him on the way. Come aud take u
peep al him, and make sure. ! haven't
told him anything ihat1l hurt MS. but
'hcrc Is no doubt he l. the right party.
Come on. but keep out OF sight till you
are sure"
As he spoke he rctraccd his steps to
the fire, the other following close be-
hind him, until he was able To peer eau
tiously around rock and obtain a good
look at the party. Then, with u shout,
he sprang forward and seized A,ery's
hand. cNclaiming:
"Bill. old man! Shake! Where's
John?"
Avery claspcd his hand warmly, but
did not reply for Il moment. aud the two
old friends silently noted the changes
which the years had made in each other.
Many had passed since they met, and rs
they stood there, looking into each
others eyes. with the light from the
fire ilickering upon their rugged
features, TO each il seemed that they
were back in the old days, when their
blood was hotter than now, ard their
hair innocent of the gray with which
both heads were literally sprinklcd.
Taylor was first Ia recover himself
and he repeated:
"Nhcrc Is John? Didn't he"
Poor John is dead" interrupted the
ether, sadly. "llc died on the ship he
was coming on from Boston aud was
buried ai sea. This young man saved
him from drowning, bu, he was hurt
internally when he fen overheard and
never got over it,"
John Gcad"
That was all. but the hands Of The two
men grippcd harder for a moment, aud
both understood. No words of Sympa.
ihy could have conveyed more mean
ing.
TarbnS now stepped forward and
made his partner acquainted with the
other members of the party. Then he
said:
ITS too dark Ia try 10 get up TO the
camp tonight. We shall have to stay
here i'll morning, Dick. Thcrc's u long
story 10 tell, and wish We were safe
out of sight now. Have you seen any
smoke hcforc2'
smoke? Wha, do you mean? Who
would he doing that? All the pcopl.
who know our signal are here now"
Mot by long sight, they amt" was
the reply, as Tarb0N tried To pierce the
darkness about them, which was In.
tense by this time.
"Wlat do you mcan?"
"Wcll, It's u long story. Dick. In the
first place, We might rs well get bite
of supper, and then Scott here will tell
you all about his trip ON the vessel and
what happened to him. Ill finish the
yarn, and then you'll understand just,
how the thing stands"
This was sound advice. and his part.
ucr made no objection, but he Was burE'
ing with impailcnc,, ana could hardly
wait I'LL III. frugal rcpast WAS swal.
lowed, Then hc exclaimed:
"Now. let's have the story, There's n
good deal depending ON ii, Come, Scott,
Hire away"
Tom nj once began Il detailed accO tNi
Of his acquaintance with the old miner.
and when he had concluded the stur,
TarhoN added his meeting With thy ~
men who had showed him the pap,.
| adding:
III I'd ever suspected the truth, Die,
I'd pu, n spoke in their wheel somehow
| One OF them Is that tall scamp we saw
hustled out of Laduc's. didn't rrcug.
ni1e him at first, hut when raw hin,
tipping the wink TO the sailor on the
sly, began TO smell n rat"
"Bu, wherearc ,hcy?" burst on, Tsy.
lor, cScitrdly. "Nou saSsrtiiry were
ahead of MS, Where nn 7ry now2"
| "fhats what makes mr uneasy" re-.
| piled his partner. "Wc saw their tracks
back 10y the white cliir ard they turned
on all right. We were too busy hurry.
| Ing to look for them any more, sup.
pose they have got or the track some.
how, but II they should s,c our lire
there might be trouble, We mus, stand
a watch tonight. II We can get every
thing out Of sight before they get here
thryll never he the wiser, They can't
find us In hundred years"
His partner evidently shared his un.
caslness, for he responded quickly.
Perhaps they won't, but We musin',
take any chances. I'll take the first
watch and you the second. We are
more used TO this sort OF thing, you
know. Wen keep the fire down low.
| IL isn't very cold"