Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-06-23

EoOo Outut down DelOW mere on don't
osk no grub. know you've struck II
rich here an here's the papers ten
prove 1t. took 'em from that Rider
afore he started off. All want Is ter
stay here an make my pile. Thisis free
ground anyway, an yer can't drive me
of If want ter stay. Even II 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 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
to give the 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 1t would be necessary to 60 over
large piece of ground to follow 1t, and
should their discovery leak out they
would be confined to q 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 viii 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 self-satisfied ex-
preston that BODIED III for the peace
of the men upon whom he had forced
himself so clevcrly.
But if Hank Bowers could have been
present at q 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 q 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
have him go. To get rid Of him In o
way that would keep his tongue sealed
In regard to the gold they had found
was the problem and he had thought OF
way which he hoped might answer
their purpose.
That night he detailed his scheme to
the others, and all agreed that 1t was
the wisest course under the circum-
stances. What it was viii develop later.
" don't believe word about his
| breaking with that Rider" he added,
when the whole ground had been gone
over. There's no doubt in my mind
that they've put up some Job between
them. There's five of US, anyhow, and
while he's in camp we must keep an
eye open nights. Well divide the time
up, and it won't come hard. We will
stay in 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, butAyery
shared the cave with his daughter, as
he thought it safer. This was also the
repository Of some $4,000 worth Of
gold, which the two men had already
taken from the spot.
On the following morning work was
commenced IN earnest, and the piles Of
dirt began to melt away before the Wig
orous attacks of the men, while Hank
Bowersdug manfully by himself ashort
distance away. apparently satisfied to
take them at their word. He was an
experienced miner, and his little pile
of dust grew steadily.
That night the result of their COM
bined efforts was nearly $1,000, and
Tom Scott could hardly be content to
take the necessary time for sleep. 1t
seemed to him that his fortune was al
ready made.
Three days OF unremitting toll fol-
lowed, the average being little less
than the first day. Then Avery said,
as they were starting out the fourth
morning:
Taylor, we are digging In the wrong
place altogether"
THE wrong placer"
Yes, that's what said. I've waited
TO see how rich this dirt Is and am OF
satisfied. Don't you see, Dick, you have
been digging here by a stream that runs
now, but it Isn't the stream that Gu,
that big hole through the face Ct the
cliff. That goes OFF In another direc.
tion altogether, you see.
perhaps q hundred or thousand
years ago this stream wasn't running
at all. Now, where must the bed Of the
stream have been that did cut its way
through that rock? You can see 1t mus
have been over there on the other side
of the ridge. III bet that old stream
ran thousands of years before 1t dried
up. 1t must have"
."How do you know" asked Tom, In
| wonder.
because it would take that long tc
wear through the rock as It did. 1t was
bigger stream than this by good
deal. See those big stones scattered al
around in Its bed. 1t must have been g
powerful stream to start them, anG
there they are everywhere"
by thunder, believe you're right
cried Taylor. excitedly. II can see II
now. ought to have known it at first
but we struck good paying dirt on thi.
side, and didn't prospect any further
Come on, let's try over there!"