Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22


hopelessly in love with his fair com
panion, and paid but little attention to
other things.
met them, and Tom accosted him at
once with:
"How are you'll Bound for Dyea?''
That's Just it, was the response as
the man ran his eyes rapidly over the
glance. where might you be head
ing?"
Were going toward Fort Selkirk,'
said Tom.
"Going down the river to Dawson %
Its hard to tell where We'll fetch
up" replied the young man evasively.
did you meet anyone on this trail
lately?" asked Avery, pushing forward
The man hesitated 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 at the river stations, and the other
was sailor. He said he was. and he
looked it. He was stout built, with a
nose that looked as if it was broken
some time. He
''Obed Rider!''
cts the matei''
The ordinations broke simu1tane-
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 finger Of
which was heavy gold ring with a Gu
rious device in the back.
IF 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.
81 gave it 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?"
what do you know about his will ?''
demanded Tom, b1ankly.
Because I've seen it,"
"Seen it! was robbed of it in FRS
Co"
''The mate must have shown it to
| him!'' broke in Green. ST knew was
right all the time!"
The questions now flew 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
| to take no chances. He maintained a
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 atliberty 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
VI - I, 70
can with those two scoundrels ahead
of US. They may catch Dick with the
papers they've got. How can he tell
but what they are all straight?'
Tarbox chuckled grimly as he re-
| piled:
They won't find him. You'll under
stand better when you get there. Dick
| will know the tallest galoot the mo-
| ment he sets his eyes on him. We've
| both seen him before. The sailor picked
out just the man to queer him with
Dick. If it wasn't for that might feel
little bit uneasy, but it's all right, I
tell you. Dick Taylor is no tenderfoot
We might as well camp for the night.
| It'll soon be dark. If all this stuff is
grub there's enough to feed the whole
| Klondike country"
He was firm in his refusal to pro-
ceed 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 a friendly chat the entire party
stretched themselves on their rude
touches 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 to a white cliff a few miles
| to the north and said:
There is where the trail branch