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

the man drew nearer and stared at him
amoment, then exclaimed:
Right yer are, stranger! Yer was
boun' fer Dyea afoot an I was comm
this way. Didn't know yer at first. Yes.
I got long here an found this Teller
most dead. I knocked up a sort Of
shanty in the bush an got him into 1t,
but he's dyin' sure's yer born"
whats his name?" asked Avery.
sand who is he?"
'Says his names Rider. Obed-'
''Obed Rider!" cried Tom and the
second mate, simultaneously.
That's it! Dyer know him?" asked
the stranger, looking at them with we'll
feigned surprise. .. .
"The scoundrel!" cried Tom, jumping
from his horse. "Come, Green, let's 60
and see if it is really him!" ii
But Avery spoke up at this point and
said:
Hold on, boys! Don't go rushing of
like that! I don't take much stock in
this story. Suppose it is some sort of
a trap? Remember what we are taking
with u.s." ... "
TITS all right, boss" urged the new
conner. "You needn't be scared O. one
man. This Rider begged me ter stay
with him an I hadn't Their heart ter
leave him. I wouldn't leave a dog ter
die in the bush alone. If yer don't want
ter come, all right, but hoped yer was
men enuff fer that. I'm goin' back ter
him. He may be dead by this time"
where does your man say he's
from?" demanded Tom, his anger melt
ing away as he thought of his enemy
dying miserably by himself in this will
derness.
"He says he's from Dyea. He had a
pardner named Buffers or some such
name. He's out of his head sometimes
an goes on bout a lot O. gold an how
some ones goin' ter git held up an sech
nonsense. Then he's got some papers
an all he thinks about when he sees 'em
is some gold mine an chap named
Scott
THAT settles i'll" cried Tom. Come
on, Green, we'll CO.,
Without waiting to hear another word
the man turned on his heel and led the
way among the stunted pines from
whence he had emerged. Tom and
Green followed him and the rest dis
mounted to await their return.
A short walk through the scattering
trees brought the three men to the close
columns of the main forest, and soon
Tom saw what appeared to be con-
tlrmation of the mans story, for in a
little opening toward which they were
directing their steps he could distin-
guish the outlines of hut.
This is the place." said the guide, as
they reached the entrance. "Come in"
Tom was right at his heels and fol-
lowed him without hesitation. It was
now growing dark, and at first he could
not distinguish objects distinctly, but
gradually he became accustomed to the
semi-light and saw mans form
stretched on the ground in one corner
OF the interior, while a deep groan came
from the spot.
Hank Bowers had altered his plans
somewhat since first outlining them, for
a faint voice said:>
"Who is it, Turner?'
There was no installing the voice.
Both Tom and the second mate recog-
nized it instantly as belonging to the
mate of the Seabird. Tom stepped
quickly to his side and bent over him,
saying:
Its Tom Scott, the man you robbed
and nearly killed."
TON Scott"
Rider seemed to raise himself on his
elbow by great effort and whispered:
'~Thank heaven! Here! Take the pa
pers stole! didn't hit you! It was
some one else. I did rob you, though
Here, take them an say yer forgive
mel"
Without any suspicion of danger Tom
bent compassionately over the form of
the recumbent man to take the papers,
when he felt his pistol slip from his belt.
A hand had withdrawn it from behind
1t was the hand of the guide.
Tom Strengthened up and turned
sharply to find the muzzle of a revolver
within an inch of his face, while at the
same instant Hank Bowers appeared in
the doorway and covered the second
mate with weapon, saying sharply:
"Hands up! If yer move, yer dead
menl"
1t is needless to say that both Tom
and Green did as they were bid. twas
madness to attempt resistance, for not
only was there something in the mans
tone that showed he was in earnest, but
a third reason presented itself in the
shape of a weapon in the hand of Rider,
whose face wore an expression of devil
ish triumph atseeing Toms pale face.
"What do you want of us?" demand
ed Green, who was the first to find his
tongue.
1--WE want you," was the prompt re-
ply. Then we want the rest of the
party, an we may as we'll take in Their
dust while we're about it. Turner,
take them guns away from 'em, an
see they hain't got none out er sight,
This was DONE, and he added:
Here, Rider, tie 'em up, hand an
foot. You ought ter be handy at maxi
in knots that won't slip, SEEM as yer
sailor.''
L 4