Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-12-20
CHAPTER x.
RUN DOWN AT LAST.

NUN LIZ w IN AL LAST.
what brought you back so quick?"
said the newcomer, in low tone. 81
wasn't looking for any signal, and was
just going to turn in when 1 happened
to see the smoke. Who have you
brought with you?'
"One of the Averys is with me-" was
the reply. "It's long story, Dick. I
met him on the way. Come and take a
peep at him, and make sure. 1 haven't
told him anything that'll hurt US, but
there is no doubt he is the right party.
Come on, but keep out of sight till you
are sure
AS he spoke he retraced his steps to
the fire, the other following close be-
hind him, until he was able to peer eau
tiously around a rock and obtain good
look at the party. Then, with shout,
he sprang forward and seized Avery's
hand, eXclaiming:
''Bill, old man! Shake! Where's
John?"
Avery clasped his hand warmly, but
did not reply for moment, and the two
Old friends silently noted the changes
which the years had made in each other.
Many had passed since they met, and as
they stood there, looking into each
others eyes, with the light from the
fire Pickering upon their rugged
features, to each it seemed that they
were back in the old days, when their
blood was hotter than now, and their
hair innocent of the gray with which
both heads were literally sprinkled.
To xy1o 70 h calf
and he repeated:
Where is John? Didn't he
Poor John is dead" interrupted the
other, sadly. "He died on the ship he
was coming on from Boston and was
buried at sea. This ycang man saved
him from drowning, but he was hurt
internally when he fell overheard and
never got over it,
John dead"
That was all, but the hands of the two
men gripped harder for moment, and
both understood. No words of sympa-
| thy ca2!d have conveyed more mean
ing.
ian box now stepped forward and
/ .nade his partner acquainted with the
{ other members of the party. Then he
! said:
| cts too dark to try to get up to the
camp tonight. We shall have to stay
here till morning, Dick. There's long
| story to tell, and 1 wish we were safe
out of sight now. Have you seen any
smoke before?'
Smoke? What do you mean? Who
would be doing that? All the people
| yt,.O1 -
Not by long sight, they amt, was
the reply, as Tarbox tried to pierce the
darkness about them, which was in.
tense by this time.
What do you mean?"
We'll, it's long story, Dick. In the
first place, we might as well get bite
of supper, and then Scott here will tell
you all about his trip on the vessel and
what happened to him. I'll finish the
yarn, and then you'll understand just
how the thing stands"
This was sound advice, and his part
ner made no objection, but he was burn
ing with Impotence, and could hardly
wait till the frugal repast was swal-
lowed. Then he exclaimed:
Now, let's have the story. There's a
good deal depending on it. Come, Scott,
tire away"
Tom at once began a detailed accoCAt
OF his acquaintance with the old miner,
and when he had concluded the story
Tarbox added his meeting with the tws
men who had showed him the paper
adding:
eff I'd ever suspected the truth, Dich
/ - ~ -. 81 -,
One of them is that tall scamp we saw
hustled out of Ladue's. didn't recog-
nize him at first, but when / saw him
tipping the wink to the sailor on the
sly, began to smell a rat"
But where are they?" burst out Tay-
lor, eNcitedly. "You say they were
ahead of US. Where are they now"
That's what makes me uneasy" re-
piled his partner. "We saw their tracks
back by the white cliff and they turned
of all right. We were too busy hurry
ing to look for them any moro. sup
pose they have got of the track some
how, but if they should see our fire
there might be trouble. We must stand
a watch tonight. IF we can get every
thing out of sight before they get here
they'll never be the wiser. They can't
lind us in hundred years"
His partner evidently shared his un-
easiness. for he responded quickly:
Perhaps they won't, but we mustnt
take any chances. I'll take the first
watch and you the second. We are
| more used to this sort of thing, you
J. know. Wen keep thetfiTe down low
II isn't very cold"
Ire N coxzzxuxD-1