The Iola register., 1899-08-25

then exclaimed:
"Who are you and what do you
want?"
by this time the rest Of the party had
reached the spot and halted.
There's man back in the woods
little way here that is hurt bad" re
piled the newcomer. won't one o. yer
come an see if sumthin' can't be did
fer him? Hes in bad way"
Taylor looked hard at the stranger.
He was apparently about 40 years old,
rather tall, a scar across his thin nose.
which made his eyes seem close to-
gether. 1t was not a face to inspire
confidence, but Dick Taylor had not the
slightest suspicion Of danger as he
asked:
"Who is the man and where did he
come from? What's the matter with
him ."
"IIc's a sailor sort Of chap an his
horse throwcd him. he says, Then his
pardner skipped Off an left him ter kick
ther bucket alone"
As the man spoke Taylor suddenly re-
momhercd his face.
Didn't | meet you not long ago on
this trail?" he demanded.
With a well-assumed air Of surprise
the man drew nearer and stared at him
moment, then exclaimed:
fright yer are, stranger! Yer was
boun' fer Dyea afoot an l was comm
this way. Didn't know yer at first. Yes.
| got long here an found this Teller
most dead. | knocked up sort of a
shanty in the bush an got him into it,
but he's dyin' sure's yer born"
"Whats his name?" asked Avery,
"and who is he?"
"Says his names Rider Obed-"
"Obed Rider!" cried Tom and the
second mate, simultaneously.
That's it! Dyer know him?" asked
the stranger, looking at them with we'll
feigned surprise.
THE scoundrel!" cried Tom, jumping
from his horse. "Come. Green, let's 90
and see if it is really him!"
But Avery spoke up at this point and
said:
Hold on, boys! Don't go rushing off
like that! l don't take much stock in
this story. Suppose it is some sort Of
trap? Remember what we are taking
with us"
ITS all right, boss" urged the new
conner. you needn't be scared O. one
man. This Rider begged me ter stay
with him an l hadn't ther heart ter
leave him. l wouldn't leave a dog ter
die in the bush alone. If yer don't want
ter come, all right, but hoped yer was
men enufr fer that. I'm goin' back ter
him. He may be dead by this time"
"Where does your man say he's
FROM" demanded Tom, his anger melt
ing away as he thought of his enemy
dying miserably by himself in this will
derness
"He says he's from Dyea. He had a
pardner named Buffers or some such
name. He's out of his head sometimes
an goes on bout lot O. gold an how
some ones goin' ter git held up an sech
nonsense. Then he's got some papers
an all he thinks about when he sees 'em
is some gold mine an a chap named
Scott"
That settles i'll" cried Tom. Come
on, Green, Wen CO."
Without waiting to hear another word
the man turned on his heel and led the
way among the stunted pines from
whence he had emerged. Tom and
Green followed him and the rest dis
mounted TO await their return.
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 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. IT was
now growing dark, and al first he could
not distinguish objects distinctly, but
gradually he became accustomed to the
semi-light and saw mans form
etretnhed 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
a faint voice said:
"Who is it, Turner?'
There was no mistaliing the voice.
Both Tom and the second mate recog-
nized il instantly as belonging to the
mate of the Seabrd. Tom stepped
quickly to his side and bent over him,
saying;
ITS Tom Scott, the man you robbed
and nearly killed"
tom Scott"
Rider seemed to raise himself on his
elbow by great effort and whispered;
''Thanll heaven! Here! Take the pa
pers l stole! l didn't hit you! 1t was
some one else, l did rob you, though,
Here, take them an say yer forgive
mel"
Without any suspicion of danger Tom
bent compassionately over the form of
the recumbent man to take the papers,