The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-09-01
lcopvrIpht. ,sos. bv s. s. MeClur.,l

\ NAlNlN NhllIS HdAl uttI hi'ulli lltISntt 81
suddenly that they could hardly realize
IL was not some fantastic dream
Bowers and Turner wasted no time.
After satisfying themselves that the
four men were securely fastened they
began at once to pack the gold on three
| of the horses. In response to an order
! from Bowers, Obed Rider disappeared
in the woods, but soon returned with
Tom and the second mate, their feet
! having been released and the gags
taken from their faces.
Bidding Rider stand guard over the
party, Bowers gave his whole attention
to his own work. and in half an hour
the gold was strapped on. the backs of
three horses, three more were saddled
for the robbers, while the remaining
pair was used to carry a supply of food
and a tent.
Realizing the uselessness of words
our friends watched these prepare
tions in dismay. They well knew that
the thieves could reach Dyea and
take steamer before their crime was
known, for without horses pursuit
would be hopeless.
When he had packed all he desired to
carry, Hank Bowers walked up TO his
prisoners and sneered:
Yer had the fust IAN on me, but it's
my turn now, an rather guess I've got
Their best end of it, hey?'
Seeing that they scorned to reply, he
went on:
We're off to Dyea. BY Their time yer
git thar Wen be some ways off on Their
water. | don't need all this grub, an
I'll leave yer plenty ter last yer yer
Dyea yerselves. TLats fair, amt il?
Yer won't need eny guns. This trail is
safe enuff, an there's no sech thing as
holdups hereabouts."
Avery could restrain himself no
longer.
you dirty thief" he exclaimed 81
wish had put bullet into your head
the night you sneahed into our cave!"
81 dare say" was the mocking re-
Spouse as Bowers turned away, "but
yer were too big fool! | wish yer al
better luck next time yer strike IL rich.
Come on, boys. let's strile out FOR Dyea.
I'm In a hurry to blow in some O. this
dust"
The three men mounted their stolen
horses without further delay and hur-
red away, leading the animals on
whose backs were the fortunes OF our
friends.
Five; minutes later they had disap-
peared in the direction Of Dyea, and the
despoiled men were being freed by
Clara Avery and sharp knife.
Tarbox's first act was to spring TO his
feet, eNclaiming:
"Stav here until come back! won't
be long!"
As he spoke he dashed off in the same
direction taken by the robbers. Half an
hour later he returned with his face
working strangely.
Il thought sol" he cried ms the others
clustered about him. at was all bluff
about going to Dyea. | smelt rat as
soon as that cuss told us, 1t would be
too easy TO trace them from there, and
they know il. They said it to get us to
go to Dyea while they made tracks for
Dawson and went round the other way
to Seattle. | saw them leave the trail
and strike off to the right"
where will they strike the trail
again?" asked Tom, eagerly,
They'll come right back here as soon
as we have had time to get out of the
wav." was The confident reply. They
| may tnink they can ctrvie round us. put
| know this trail too well. They'll find
that out after awhile and then they'll
come back this way thinking we're
gone. TIN take 'em all day TO do all
this, and | wouldn't be afraid to bet
that they camp here tonight. At any
rate, if they went 20 Dyea they would
stick to the trail. You'n find l am
right"
suppose we stay right here?" asked
Tom.
"Stay here2"
Yes. Look here, there are only three
of them. Clara has got revolver they
didn't know about, There's another in
the hut where they caught me, l don t
know whether it's loaded or not, l saw
it as we were coming out. Why not
hide here to-day and if those men come
back and camp here tonight, as Tarbox
says they will, it's a pity if we can Z
! give Nllt III a hOst VI NutlI pNu incur
cine!"
"Tm with you'll" cried Tarbox. IT'S
a famous plan! They will never for a
minute suspect such thing!"
Count me in, tool" said Green, and
the others were equally as eager when
they understood the proposition.
Tom made his way a once TO the hut
and secured the revolver he had seen
there. II was not loaded. but he placed
it In his belt, hoping to find some cart
ridges at the camp to fit it.
1--WE might as well have a bite to
eat" said the capitalist, whose name
was Seymour. 81 haven't lost much,
and l confess that [ am hungry, Miss
Avery, do you suppose you could give
us a cup of coffee?"
There were plenty OF provisions to be
had, and, in spite Of their misfortunes,
they all ate hearty breakfast, and felt
| the better for IL When thew had An