The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-07-06

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old hut agin an camp ternight. It'll
save Their botherof sticking out our tent
an cuttin' beds. Stir up those crit
ters!"
Half an hour later they had reached
the spotwhere they left their prisoners.
Ii was deserted, and Bowers chuckled
With satisfaction ashe said:
Think of 'em trampin' for all they're
with am we with all their stuff"
AS he spoke he dismounted, and
added: .- ..:"&, i j.
3 "Well hev ter lead these critters in
ter Their bush with us afore we unpack
EN-. We must put all ther dust in the
hut with US. I don't take no chances.
Wen stan watch, too"
After some trouble the horses were
led to the hut, the gold unloaded and
placed within. Then Bowers threw
himself on the pile of boughs, saying:
"Come on, Turner, let's warm our
eyes. I'm too sleepy ter eat. Rider.
you keep watch fer awhile, an then
wake one O. us up"
Almost as he spoke he dropped asleep,
an example promptly followed by Tur-
ner, while Rider sat by the door yawn-
ing. Neither man had slept the night
before and soon his head began to
droop.
Findingi impossible to keep awake
in this position, he arose and paced
slowly up and down in front Of the hut,
as he had been accustomed to do on
>shipboard.
He did not see dark form which
drew nearer each time his back was
turned
Closer and closer it. crept until it
reached a tree at the end of his route,
The next time he turned his back to it
he was seized by the throat from be.
hind with grip which completely shut
eff his breath while stern whisper
sounded in his ear:
make a sound and I'll kill you like a
dog!"
Obed Rider made no attempt to strug-
gle after the first Involuntary start of
surprise. The cold rim of steel pressed
against his ear was too strong An argu-
ment in addition to the viselike grip on
his windpipe.
The latter was loosened when he
ceased struggling and the voice whis-
pered:
"Come with me quietly, or it'll be the
worse for you'll"
The speaker pushed him along few
yards until he reached spot where be
could readily distinguish the outlines
of several men under a tree AS they
approached the group, his captor said:
"Here he is Now, what shall we do
with him?"
It was Tarbox who stood behind the
prisoner, and he added:
"One Of you take away his weapons"
Tom Scott sprang to the side of his
old enemy, and to his delight found
two loaded revolvers in his belt, which
he secured, giving one to Taylor.
Avery had taken the one from his
daughter, and Tom found that the car
tridges in the weapon just secured fit
ted the empty revolver he had found in
the hut.
LIZ oA I'LL &C. VI UuCAl u was luS
work of moment. Then our friends
found they had four weapons ready for
use, and determined to lose no time in
recovering their golden treasure.
Lets surround the hut said Tom,
eagerly, land call them out. They'll
surrender when they find they have no
show with u.s.
But Avery advised caution. They're
desperate men," he said, "and they will
fight when cornered. We don't want
any bloodshed over this affair if we can
help it. When daylight comes they
may be glad to give us the gold to save
their skins, but if we surprise them in
the dark somebody is likely to get
killed"
''See here" said Tarbox, suddenly,
still gripping Riders collar with his
sinewy hand, why can't this rascal
help us2 Send him back, and let him
get hold of the guns in the hut and
bring them out. If he tries any crook
ed business I'll put a bullet through him
myself at the first sign"
''You hear?" said Taylor. "Now be
off, and remember we are six to your
three. We already have the horses
safe, and if you serve us we'll you shall
go free, although you ought to be hung
for what you have done. Go back, and
get all the weapons you can out of the
hut. Hurry up!"
But Bowers will shoot me in a min
ute If he wakes" whispered Rider, fear
fully.
"Shoot him first, them" was the
prompt response. It'll shoot you if you
act the least bit suspicious. No more
talk NOW. Start!''
The muzzle of q revolver poked
smartly into the small of his back left
the wretched man no alternative and
he stole away toward the hut, where his
two confederates were sleeping, his
heart beating so loudly that it seemed
to him it must arouse them the instant
he reached the threshold. He dared not
pause, however, and as he picked his
way along through the trees he began
to realize that the way of the trans
gressor is sometimes not SO ROSY as It
is painted.
When he reached the door he could
MAINLY hear tho 1oop e,o~;, ~ lAl