The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-08-11


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 a 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 a
way that would keep his tongue sealed
In regard to the gold they had found
was the problem and hehad thought of
a way which he hoped might answer
their purpose.
That night he detailed his scheme 10
:he others, and all agreed that ii was
the wisest course under the circum-
stances. What it was will develop later.
81 don't believe a 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 We 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. Wen 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. lie 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, but Avery
shared the cave with his daughter, hs
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
There must be some sort of a valley
behind this ere cliff" he concluded. as
he stood measuring the distance to the
top of the obstructing stone with his
eye, IAN that Teller won't keep me out
of ii long"
With confident air he retraoed his
steps to the opening and removed the
packs from his horses. Then he took
a coil of rope on his arm and entered
the cleft once more.
Bowers had been cowboy once and
was an expert with the lasso. He had
noticed a sharp spur on the upper side
of the barrier, and with dexterous cast
he looped his rope around it at the first
attempt. Then with an agility really
remarkable in so large man he drew
himself up about 20 feet, until he was
able to secure foothold and Chamber
over the top.
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 few mo-
ments before.
Hello, pards," he said, boldly APP
proaching our friends, Yer don't seem
oyer'n above glad ter see me but I'm
here. Now, what's ter be done? amt
a very revengeful sort o. 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 were
kicked out of Ladue's for stealing. and
your present partner is a thief and
would-be murderer. Where is he?"
I've parted company with the low
down skunk" was the ready reply, as
a. 1t
lent assumption of indignation 'IIe
owned up this mornin' that he'd stole
them papers and Gasseut show his head
here fer fear the man what owned 'em
might hey passed us while we was off
the trail. Itoid him ter git out an leave
my company, and he's gone back ter
Dyea. That's straight"
His 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 ! was kicked out o. Joe
Ladue's, but l was drunk an took some
dust from a chap what was drunker'n
| was, had the craze fer Ticker on me
an didn't more'u half know what Twas
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 'em from that Rider
afore he started OH. All want is ter
stay here an make my pile. This is free
ground anyway, an yer can't drive ME
oF if want ter stay. Even if yer did
clean me out l could bring hundreds o.
miners here in no time by telling what
l 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 a 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
Roth o,,J I, q,