Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-06-16
Copyright. 1898. by s. $. Mcclure Col

of his acquaintance with the old miner,
and when he had concluded the story
Tarbox added his meeting with the two
men who had showed him the papers,
adding:
"If I'd ever suspected the truth, Dick,
I'd put q spoke in their wheel somehow.
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 rat
But where are they ?" burst out Tay-
lor, excitedly. you say they were
ahead of US. Where are they now?"
That's what makes me uneasy" re-
piled his partner. eve saw their tracks
back by the white cliff and they turned
off all right. We were too busy hurry
ing to look for them any more. sup
pose they have got OFF the track some
how, but If they should see our fire
there might be trouble. We must stand
q watch tonight. If we can get every
thing out Of sight before they get here
they'll never be the wiser. They can't
find us in q hundred years"
His partner evidently shared his I'M
easiness, for he responded quickly:
Perhaps they won't, but we mustn't
take any chances. I'll take the first
watch and you the second. We are
more used to this sort of thing, you
know. Wen keep the fire down low.
1t isn't very cold"
The rest of the party now retired,
Avery and his daughter occupying one
tent and the three younger men the
other, while Dick Taylor loosened his
revolver in his belt, made sure that
each cartridge was in place, and then
took up his post in the dark shadow of
huge rock where no ray of light could
betray his presence to watcher.
Soon not u sound was to be heard but
the low murmur of his companions
voices as they discussed the situation,
then these died out, and chorus Of
shores testified to the soundness Of
their slumber.
Hour afer hour passed until it was
fully midnight. Then the miner entered
the tent where his partner was sleeping
and laid his hand lightly on his shout
der.
In an instant the sleeper was wide
awake, and moment later the two
were outside.
Hear any thing?" asked Tarbox soft
~.
NO." replied the other, "but some
how I feel uncomfortable. never had
this feeling yet but what there was sure
to be trouble ahead. wish 1t was day
light. Keep out of sight as much as you
can, Joe. didn't say much before the
rest, but / believe that scoundrel we
saw at Ladue's place would think moth.
ing Of shooting man in the back II he
had any cause to do it. It's pity this
all happened. Wemight have all got as
much as we wanted before anyone
found out about it. Now there's no tell
ing what may happen"
Five minutes later he was asleep, and
Tarbox was standing sentry over the
silent camp.
It was nearly daybreale when he re.
plenished the fire, for the air grew very
chilly. Soon a gray streak appeared in
the southeast, and as Tom came out OF
his tent the sun was just rising over
the rolling Land over which they had
travelled the day before.
The rest of the party were soon
awake, and Taylor said at once:
II believe we have not been seen yet
but we must get out of sight before
breakfast. Joe, turn the horses loose
and start them off. The rest of us will
begin to pack In the stuff"
he grasped q heavy package as he
spoke, and the others followed his ex
ample. When they reached the4face Of
the cliff he paused and said, solemnly
II am going to show you wonderful
secret. All want is your word thai
you will never reveal it until give you
permission. Will you promise this? p
His three companions readily gave
their promise, and looked curiously
about them.
Their guide stepped up to the rocky
wall and carefully pushed aside the
mass of moss and creepers, disclosing tc
their wondering gaze the same aperture
from which he had issued the previou:
night. Looking inside, they could sex
that for several feet the rock overhead
was unbroken, forming an arch like ,
doorway at the height of some seven OF
eight feet. but the light which showed
beyond was apparently from above.
Taylor led the way with his burden
after looping the creepers to one side,tt