The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-08-04
CHAPTER MI.
DIGGING A FoRTrNE-

''''-''' - d IN L Z ~ r.
Hank Bowers did not for moment
imagine that the big bowlder had fallen
Icy accident On the contrary lie real
lied it had been purposely rolled there
10 prevent his ingress. II followed.
then, that he had been seen approach
ing the cliff.
aScendancy over him that he dared not
attempt to leave him now that he was
asleep. He had meant TO assault Tom
Scott and take his papers, but his Gu
pidity was infamed, and he had been
drinking then. He was sober now. and
the evident intention of his comrade to
attempt to bully or rob five armed men
was quite another matter. Still. there
was no help for it, and he tried to steel
his cowardly heart 10 its work.
Bowers relieved him at midnight. and
as soon as the first streak of daylight
could be seen he aroused the mate and
said
I'm off again Stay here and keep in
under this hill as much as you can till
get back"
Once more he made his way to the
bowlder and took up his station. From
his hiding place he could see the diff
ferent members of the party as they
carried load after load out of sight
among the rocks. but suddenly one of
the men mounted horse and drove the
rest directly toward the hidden watcher.
whats be driyin' ate" muttered
Bowers TO himself
As the rider drew near the miner was
forced TO throw himself at fun length
on the ground to escape being seen. and
he fingered his revolver grimly. Tar
box was too busy with the horses to look
very sharply about him, and soon
turned back after giving the animals
few sharp blows, which sent them or
al full speed.
Then he returned 10 his party. and
at last they had all disappeared from
sight.
Bowers waited until he was satisfied
that they would not reappear; then he
stretched his cramped limbs and hur-
ricd back to Rider, who was impatient
ly awaiting him.
"What are they doing?' asked the
latter, eagerly.
They've turned all their critters
loose an hid away somewheres," was
the reply. "See here, Rider, I've got
scheme"
~ scheme?"
"That's what | said. It's a good one,
too Suppose you could find yer way
back to Dyea?"
"Of course | could, Why?"
I'm goin' ter tell yer why. Thars
about a dozen good critters turned
loose. They're worth $500 apiece in
Dyea, dunno but more. You don't
seem ter want ter put up bluff an iine
this party. Wen ketch them horses an
you drive 'em back to Dyea an SCH EN-.
Bring one spare critter back with yer
fer me an one fer Their swag. When
yer git back come ter tibet big bowlder
an jest as Their sun is risin' show yer
self mint. That night hey the horses
thar an I'll jine yer, Understan'?"
But what are You goin to do?'
That's my funeral. You do Jest as
| tell yer. Don't make any slip. 1t
wouldn't be very healthy fer yer if yer
went back on me. I'd foller yer all
over Kingdom come"
Rider jumped at the proposal.
Whether he would return or not was a
question he could settle later on. At
present 1t was enough to be rid Of the
desperate man who eyed him as If read
Ing his very thoughts.
10 You'll come back, l shall have gold
enough to make us both rich or else l
shan't be bove grounds I'm takin all
the resk an eff yer don'tlcome back
I shall probly missyer. I'll do my part
an YOU see you do yours"
o. II was evident that he was about to
engage in some desperate scheme, and
Rider fastened TO assure him that he
would be back as fast as possible.
CONTINUED,