The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-29
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500
mind he stopped long enough to jerk ii
free from the spur above SO that II fell
lat his feet.
Rider had not yet returned from his
errand and Bowers felt his way rapidly
along the passage until he emerged
upon the plain
Running quickly to the horses, where
Rider was at work, he cried:
Jump up! Jump lively an let's git
out o. thisl Vamose!'' S..
He set the, example by throwing him
self on one of the horses and selling the
! bride of the one upon which Rider had
been carefully securing the stolen gold.
The latter needed no second Invitations
and a moment later they were hurrying
| the beasts along the back trail as rapid
ly as the poor light and the nature Of
the ground would permit. a..
For fully two hours they made their
way in silence except for an occasional
oath from Bowers at the unevenness of
the route, then, apparently treasured
that they had made good their escape
he exclaimed: IT,. p.
'This is the biggest nights work one
man ever done in this ere country,
Rider. took long chances an won
out! It was a. great plant!"
"How did you manage it?" asked
Rider, eagerly. "Is it all gold in them
bags?'
'It amt nothin' else!" o.,
With great pride he now narrated to
his companion the whole villainous
scheme, and then added, complacently:
"All they've got ter do is ter dig out
some more gold. There's plenty of it
whar they are. They hogged all the
best claims, but I'm up ter them now!"
"But they'll be after US, won't they ?"
asked Rider, fearfully.
'"They hain't got no bosses, hev
they?" retorted Bowers. "Besides that,
they dassent Leave their claims fer fear
some chap might jump EN-. It's won
der nobody's struck that place afore."
The two thieves did not draw rein
until daylight. When the sun was fair
~ up they paused on the top of a hill
commanding view for long distance
Of the route they had traversed, but
there was no sign of pursuit.
II told yer So" said Bowers, triumph.
antly. They can't chase US. Let's get
some grub an rest the bosses a. bit. II
we take 'em into Dyea in any kind O
shape they'll sell for tidy fgger."
Their meal dispatched, they once
more assured themselves that no one
was in sight behind them, then mount
ed and headed for civilization, the bags
of gold strapped securely on the spare
animals back and hidden from view
by blanket tied over them.
That night they went into camp just
before dark, and Bowers proceeded tc
unload their ill-gotten gains. The first
bag he removed CHANGED to be the one
he had himself filled in his two weeks
of toll. AS he lifted the second be
noticed very perceptible difference in
the weight, although the two bags were
of the same size.
"'That's d-n strange!" he growled.
"'They couldn't hev washed their gold
very Clean
AS he spoke he united the second bag
: and thrust his hand within, then with
a yell of rage and disappointment he
dashed the bag to the ground and
stamped upon it like an infatuated ami
NAL, when Rider stood aghast, fearing
the man had suddenly gone mad.
With a bound Bowers sprang to thu
pack horse and seized another bag
One fierce slash of his knife rent it its
entire length and then Rider compre.
hended.
Out of it dropped a mass of damp
clay and gravel.
Hank Bowers was silent while he laic
open the rest of the bags. When he wa:
certain that his own was the only one
containing particle of gold he burs
forth in a torrent of blasphedny so ter
rible that even Rider trembled lest som,
retribution might instantly follow ant
include him in it's wrath.
Sold! Took in like a tenderfoot!
raved his companion, kicking one of tn
bags in his fury. whats that?"
AS he spoke he picked up a. foldes
paper which had dropped from the bag
Tearing it open he read the following
lines:
1--WE were 100 smart for you. Re
member thS if we find you have givea
away our cret we will give an accoun
of you tf the Canadian police and hav
you driven out of the country. If yoq
show yourself here we will fill you full
of Lead"
CHAPTER XIV.
! A SECRET NO LONGER
As the reader is aware, there was N
. pursuit made after Rider and his com
. panion. The whole matter had been al
! ranged by Avery, who had seen
$ would-be robber deceived in a simila
manner in his younger days. He ha,
r been awake through it all, and Their
e had been no intention. to shoot the thie1
q They had purposelv aimed wide Of tn