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

To his surprise he saw no one. and
without the least sign of fear he
climbed up the short distance remain
ing to be traversed and appeared be-
fore the astonished eyes of the little
group, who were even then discussing
the noise they had heard a few mo
ments before.
Hello, pards," h said, boldly ap-
preaching our friends. Eyer don't seem
over'n above glad ter see me, but I'm
here. Now. what's ter be done? L amt
"A very revengeful sort o a cuss or I'd
ask yer what yer meant by trying ter
squash me with a couple o ton O. rock
jest now"
His impudence kept The others quiet
for moment, and then Tarbox stepped
forward and said, sternly:
You are not wanted here. You we're
kicked out OF Ladue's for stealing, and
your present partner is a thief and
would-be murderer. Where is he?''
We parted company with the low
down skunk" was the ready reply. as
bowers threw into his voice an excel
lent assumption of Indignation. 'SHe
owned up this mornin' that he'd stole
them papers and dassent show his head
mere fer fear the man what owned EN-
might hev passed us while we was off
the trail. Ttold him ter git out an leave
my company, and he's gone back ter
Dyca. That's straight
ms manner was so earnest that he
made an impression and was quick to
notice it, Before anyone had time to
reply he went on:
Its true L was kicked out o. Joe
Ladue's, but / was drunk an took some
dust from chap what was drunker'n
| was. had the craze fer Ticker on me
an didn't more'n half know what was
dom.
Besides that" he continued. seeing
that he was gaining ground, I've got a
good outfit down below here an don't
ask no grub. | know you've struck it
rich here an here's the papers ter
prove it. / took EN- from that Rider
afore he started off. All | want is ter
stay here an make my pile. This is free
ground anyway. an yer can't drive me
oit If | want ter stay. Even if yer did
clean me out | could bring hundreds O.
miners here in no time by telling what
! know. What is it, pards, stay or light
out for Dyea and fetch the crowd?''
AS he paused for a reply the Others
looked blankly at each other He had
spoken the truth He had perfect
right to stay. They could not murder
him, and TO drive him away would be
10 give tie news of their mine to the
world
Both TarboX and Taylor realized that
they had but one course to pursue. The
pay streak was so crooked and shallow
that ii would be necessary to go over
n large piece of ground to follow it. and
should their discovery leak out they
would be confined to claim apiece.
where they now could pick and choose
over the entire valley.
Bowers watched them with an easy
air as they spoke in low tones for
moment for he knew we'll they could
but decide one way. Presently Dick
Taylor said, bluntly:
What you say is true in regard to
this place. We don't want YOU. but
we are obliged to have you. Get your
stuff up out of sight. We will help YOU
do that for our own sake After that
YOU will keep away from our camp and
dig all you please"
An hour later his outfit was in the
valley, and as he busted himself putting
up his tent he wore a self-satisfied ex-
preston that BODIED i'll for the peace
of the men upon whom he had forced
himself so cleverly.
But If Hank Bowers could have been
present at little conference that night
he would not have congratulated him
self so suddenly. He was deep rascal.
but he had different material to deal
with than the sailor in whose. company
he had recently been.
Dick Taylor was a very shrewd sort
Of Il person, and while he had been
forced to receive the stranger into his
camp he was determined he should not
remain there after they were ready to
nave him go. To get rid Of him in a
way that would keep his tongue sealed
in regard to the gold they had found
was the problem and he had thought of
a way which he hoped might answer
their purpose
That night he detailed his scheme to
he others. and all agreed that il was
the wiscst course under the circum-
stances What it was will develop later.
II don't believe a word about his
breaking with that Rider" he added.
when the whole ground had been gone
over "Thcre's no doubt in my mind
that They've put mp some job between
them There's five OF us. anyhow. and
while he's i'm camp we must keep an
eye open nights Wen divide the time
up. and 10 won't come hard. We will
stay i'm this tent. Of course. and we
won't let him know but what we're all
asleep. He won't do anything until we
have bigger pile than we've got now"
Their plans being arranged. the little
party separated for the night. butNvcry
shared the cave with his daughter as
be- thought 10 safer Ills was also the
repository Of some $4,000 worth Of