Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1899-12-20
CHAPTER XI.-CoNrrNUEp.

Nii+Ai u I'm ALTON
But Bowers found it no easy task to
rctrace his steps 1t was now very
dark. and as Rider had not dared to
hght fire there was nothing to guide
his companion, who stumbled about as
best he could, not daring to shout for
fear he might alarm the party he had
just been watching. He became hope
lessly lost n last and was about to give
up the search until daylight when he
heard horse stamping.
Confident there was no one but Rider
near him. he called softly. and TO his in
tense delight the sailor answered from
point not 20 yards away:
is that you. Bowers"
Yes" was the surly reply, as the big
miner reached his side. and I've had a
nice time gittin' here, too. I'm starved"
Shall l light fire?" asked Rider.
eve got it all ready, but | was skit-
fish about lighting it till | found out
what YOU had seen"
You don't light no fire here" growled
the other. We've got ter put up with
cold grub tonight. We've been regular
done for. We have!"
w nat = tHt INA Ter
Matter enuf. In the fust !. ace. that
TarboX chap we see start for Dyea has
met a party an turned back One o.
Their men is named Avery"
Avery"
The mates teeth chartered as he
Rasped:
But | saw him buried a seal"
"Rot. Theremay be moron one Avery
in Their world, Didn't that letter say
somethin' bout man named Bill that
was to come? Course it did! Mebbe it's
the old chaps brother or cousin or
somethin'.
Then there's two young chaps that
looked like -nilors an young gal that
| take ter be Avery's Garter by the way
she stayed '.ound him They've routed
out the chap as wrote the letter an
they've all gone into camp under big
cliit not more'n mile from where we're
sittin' this mint"
he young men must be Scott and
the second waite" said Rider. and
oon YOU zee these papers are no good
to Us after all our trouble? We can't
do anything now but give the thing up
and make for the Klondil<e. We've got
good out"
Make for nothin'!" was the savage
interruption. Them men hev got "A
gold mine right round here somewheres
and I've ne much right the-e as they
new IT ! can only find it. I'd like ter
see en- drive me oil. You can go to the
~hiondike if yer like. but yer don't take
any O this stuff with yer. Sce?"
Like most bullies Obed Rider was
EASILY cowed by bigger bully than
himself. and ne dared not make the re-
ply which came to his lips. Instead he
sal.
But can't join these men after TAX
ing these papers from scott. Thcre'd
be trouble"
81 didn't say / was goin' to ifne EN-
Look here, Rider, are scr scared or not &?
He, we are. two stout chaps with pIen-
ty grub an the hor,c-. We knows
jest whar them felIers are now. an
thcy don't know whar we be. If We
Keeps our eyes open thar's sure ter be
a chance for business. VIII yer stick
ter me or not?"
Rider had little choice. He dared not
demand half the outfit his own money
bad purchased. and wa, forced 10 sub
mi. so with a show Of sincerity he ex-
claimed:
'Of course 1ll stick. Bowers,"
''-,n right. Vow sou keep watch the
fust half OF Their uigli an' taU me for
thor last. We've got Ter be- movin'
bright an early"
IN five minutes the hardened rascal
was snoring while Rider stood guard.
Ilo had no stomach for lowers com
pauy now. and would gladly have left
him. but the miner had gained such an
ascendancy over him that hc dared not
attempt 10 leave him now that he was
asleep lie had meant TO assault Tom
Scott and take his papers but his Gu
pidity was infamed and be had been
drinking then. lie was sober now. and
the evident intention Of his comradc TO
attempt 10 bully or rob five armed men
was quite another matter. Still there
was no help for it.. and he tried to- steel
bis covardly heart TO its work
Bowers relieved him at midnight. and
as soon as The first streak Of daylight
could he seen he aroused the mate and
said
'l'm OF again Stay here and keep in
under this hill as much as you can till |
get back"
OLcc more ne made his way TO the
bowlder oS5 took up his station. From