The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-09


other things.
Five minutes later Joe .Tarbox had
met them. and Tom accosted him at
once with:
Glow are you'll Bound for Dyea?"
That's just IT," was the response as
the man ran his eyes rapidly over the
liberal outfit with an appreciative
glance. where might you be head
ing?"
"We're going toward Fort selkirk,"
said Tom.
Going down the river to Dawson?"
ats hard TO tell where we'll fetch
up" replied the young man eyasively.
did you meet anyone on this trail
lately?" asked Avery, pushing forward.
The man hesitated a moment, and
then said:
"Well, yes, did meet two men yes
terday. Friends of yours?'
what were they like? ?" asked Tom.
Zone was tall chap that / think I've
seen al the river stations, and the other
was 4 sailor. He said he was, and he
looked t. He was stout built. with a
nose that looked as il it was broken
some time. He"
"Obed Rider!"
ats the mattel"
The ordinations broke simultane-
ously from Tom and Green, while the
stranger looked at them in surprise,
and added:
"That wasn't the name he gave me.
He said his name was Tom Scott
"By thunder! We're on the right
course" shouted Green, while Tom
could only gasp:
"Tom Scott That's my name"
The man looked at them a moment
in blank establishment, and then light
evidently seemed to break on his mind,
for he turned and looked sharply at
Avery and asked
"Will you tell me your name?"
Certainly. My name is William
Avery"
The other man stepped up to him at
once and extended one of his hands,
palm downward, on the middle fingerof
which was heavy gold ring with Gu
rious device in the back.
"lf that is your name, you can tell
me the history of this ring" he said,
looking Avery full in the face.
81 surely ought to be able to-" was
the reply, while the others looked on in
surprise at the little scene being en-
acted so unexpectedly before them.
~ gave ii TO Dick Taylor in California
a good many years ago. You must be
the man he mentioned in his letter TO
me. You are Joe Tarbox, or you
wouldn't have that ring"
fright you are" was the hearty re-
Spouse, land I'm mighty glad TO see
you. Can you vouch for these two
men? Is this really the Scott your
brother mentioned in his will?n
what do you know about his will ?"
demanded Tom, blankly.
Because I've seen IT,"
"Seen it! was robbed Of ii in 'Fris-
CO.
"rhe mate must have shown IL to
himl" broke in Green. 81 knew was
right all the time!"
The questions now few thick and
fast and soon Tarbox was made aware
Of the true state Of affairs. Tom
showed him the Identification he had
brought from San Francisco, which re-
moved the last lingering doubt, but
their new acquaintance was determined
10 take no chances. lie maintained
discreet silence in regard to the mine
and its exact location, declaring that
until his partner had seen and acknowl-
edged the party he was not at liberty to
reveal any Of the secrets.
At length Avery said. abruptly:
But you are not going to Dyea now?
We have supplies enough here TO feed
our party and you two besides for the
next year. You must come back with
us. We ought to hurry as fast as II.
can with those two scoundrelrS "oiV
of us. They may catch Dick W have
papers they've got. How canrot,ing
but what they are all straight?f
Tarbox chuckled grimly as tlcr a'
piled: be 10
They won't find him. You'll lfor tho
stand better when you get Their
will know the tallest galoot under
ment he sets his eyes on himIs been
both seen him before. The sailol l.,.;td
out just the man 10 queer hill
Dick. If ii wasn't for that / mil WILL bt
n little bit uneasy, but it's all right,
tell you. Dick Taylor is no tendcrfoot.
We might as well camp for the night.
tn soon be dark. If all this stun is
grub there's enough TO feed the whole
klondikc country"
He was firm in his refusal TO pro-
coed further that day, and, in fact, by
the time the loads had been removed
from the horses and the animals cared
for the sun had disappeared. The tents
were soon pitched and after supper
and n friendly chat the entire party
stretched themselves on their rude
couches and were soon asleep.
An early start was made the follow
ing morning. and, three days later, as
they reached the top OF long Hill, Tar
box pointed 20 n white cliff few miles
TO the north and said:
There is whore the trail branch
es Oft TO our place. It's only about
rs or 30 miles then. We'd better