The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-07-28
CHAPTER X.
RUN DOWN AZ LAST.

RUN DOWN AZ LAST.
What brought you back so quick ?"
said the newcomer, in a low tone. 81
wasn't looking for any signal, and was
just going TO turn H. when happened
TO see the smoke. WIN have you
brought with you?"
zone of the Averys is with me-" was
the reply. ITS u long story, Dick. /
met him on the way. Come and take a
peep at him. and make sure. haven't
told him anything thatll hurt us, but
there is no doubt he is the riSnt party.
Come on, but keep out of siEut till you
are sure"
As he spoke he retraced his steps to
the fire, the other following close be-
hind him, until he was able to peer eau
tiously around a rock and obtain good
look at the party. Then, with shout,
be sprang forward and seized Avery's
hand. eXclaiming:
Bill. old mani Shake! Where's
john"
Avery clasped his hand warmly, but
did not reply for moment, and the two
old friends silently noted the changes
which the years had madei in each other.
Many had passed since they met, and as
they stood there, looking into each
others eyes, with the light from the
fire pickering upon their rugged
features, TO each it seemed that they
were back in the old days, when their
blood was hotter than now, and their
hair innocent of the gray with which
both heads were literally spriukled.
Taylor was first to recover himself,
and he repeated:
where is John? Didn't he"
Poor John is dead, interrupted the
other, sadly. "Ile died on the ship he
was coming on from Boston and was
buried at sea. This young man saved
him from drowning but he was hurt
internally when he fell overheard and
never got over it,"
John dead"
That was all, but the hands of the two
men gripped harder for moment, and
both understood. No words of sympa-
thy could have conveyed more mean
ing.
TarboX now stepped forward and
made his partner acquainted with the
other members of the party. Then he
said
ITS too dark to try to get up to the
camp tonight. We shall have to stay
here tiq morning, Dick There's a long
story ID tell, and l wish we were safe
out of sight now, Have you seen any
smoke before?"
"SmokeP What do you mean? Who
would he doing that? All the people
who know our signal are here now"
"Not by long sight, they amt" was
the reply, as TarboX tried TO pierce the
darkness about them, which was in
tense by this time,
What do you meau"
"Well, it's a long story, Dick. In the
first place, we might as well get bite
Of supper, and then Scott here will tell
you all about his trip on the vessel and
what happened to him. III finish the
yarn, and then you'll understand just
how the thing stands"
This was sound advice, and his part
ner made no objection, but he was burn
ing with impotence, and could hardly
wait till the frugal repast was swaI-
lowed. Then he exclaimed;
"Now, let's have the story. There's
good deal depending on it. Come, Scott,
fire away"
Tom at once began detailed account
Of his acquaintance with the old miner.
and when he had concluded the story
TarboX added his meeting with the two
men who had showed him the papers,
adding:
IF Id ever suspected the truth, Dick
I'd put a spoke in their wheel somehow
One of them is that tall scamp we saw
hustled out of Ladue's. didn't recog