Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-29

While she was preparing it her father
strolled off by himself, and examined
the ground with thoughtful air. He
came to the cave when his daughter
called that the food was ready, but his
appetite seemed to be poor, and he had
little to say. Even his daughter noticed
his preoccupation, but whatever was
troubling him he kept it to himself,
and joined the others, after breakfast,
in the work Of bringing up the rest of
the goods, which proved no easy task.
Three hours later, when the last
package had been safely piled in the
cave, Dick Taylor said thoughtfully:
"Why wouldn't it be good plan to
block up the passage? Those two
men are too near to suit me, Joe.
They've got my letter and are sure to
find where we camped last night if they
look long enough. The very fact that
we let our horses go will let them know
that we must have gone where we could
not possibly take them. They are sure
to see the animals. Suppose they go
nosing round and find the opening I'M
der the moss? We are on American soil
and they have as much right here as we
have"
'But one of them tried to murder
me- cried Tom, Indignantly, "and he
did rob me!''
Eve might make him give up what he
STOLE" was the quiet reply. "but you
have no courts here and can't prove
anything against him. think I'll take
a look along the trail and see if there
are any signs of them"
Turning on his heel abruptly he
made his way up the incline until he
reached the top of the cliff, where he
shaded his eyes with both hands, for
the sun was glazing. A moment later
he called his companions, who hast
ened to join him.
"Looki" he said, as they reached his
side.
Following his outstretched arm the
others saw a mounted man not more
than a mile from the foot of the cliff
and making directly for it. That it was
the mate or his companion there could
DE no doubt. He was leading several
pack horses, and Joe Tarbox at once
recognized the outfit.
'.It's one of them, sure enough!" he
exclaimed. They've managed to find
their way here, and now they will see
the ashes of our fire. They'll make
one in the same place, but that's all the
good it'll do them. Still, think we'd
better stop up that hole, so they can't
get through if they do find it,
"Better do it at once, them" replied
Taylor, and the two men started for
the entrance to the gully. When they
had reached it Tarbox pointed to
big bowlder lying almost on the edge
of the opening and said:
Call the rest of them and we will
roll this chap down. 1t won't go far be-
fore it wedges, and then no living man
can come through"
But it required half an hours labori-
Gus work to accomplish this. They
were obliged to fell small tree for
lever, and even then it required their
united labor to move the heavy bowl
der. Inch by inch, however, they forced
it along until it overbalanced. Then
with sullen crash it fell into the rocky
bed and bounded down the steep way
for some 80 yards until it reached a
turn. Here it wedged itself fast, COM
pletely blocking the passageway.
But, mingled with the crash of its
lodgment, the men distinctly heard
muffied shout from beyond it, which
caused them to stare blankly at each
other.