The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-07-28

niae him at first, but when saw him
tipping the wink 10 the sailor on the
sly, | began to smell a rat"
But where are they?" burst outlay
Tor, excitedly. "You say they were
ahead of u.s. Where are they now2"
That's what makes me uneasy" re-
piled his partner. 1--WE saw their tracks
back w the white cliff aud they turned
off all right. We were too busy hurry
ing to look for them any more. sup
pose they have got Off he track some
how, but if they should see our. fire
there might be trouble. We must stand
watch tonight. If we can get every
thing out of sight before they get here
they'll never be the wiser They can't
find us in hundred years"
His partner evidently shared his un-
easiness, for he responded quickly:
perhaps they won't, but we mustn't
take any chances. I'll take the first
watch and you the second We are
more used to this sort of thing you
know. Wen keep the fire down low
1t isn't very cold"
The rest of he party now retired.
Avery and his daughter occupying one
tent and the three younger men the
ether, while Dick Taylor loosened his
revolver in his belt, made sure that
each cartridge was in place, and then
took up his post in the dark shadow of
huge rod where no ray of light could
betray his presence to a watcher
Soon not a sound was TO be heard but
the low murmur of his companions
voices as they discussed the situation.
then these died out, and a chorus Of
snores testified to the soundness of
their slumber.
Hour afer hour passed until it was
fully midnight. Then the miner entered
the tent where his partner was sleeping
and laid mis- hand Lightly on mis- Tnou-
der
In an instant the sleeper was wide
awake and moment later the two
were outside.
Hear anything?" asked Tarbox soft
ly.
mo" replied the other, "but some
how feel uncomfortable. never had
this feeling yet but what there was sure
to be trouble ahead. | wish il was day
light Keep out of sight as much as you
can, Joe. ! didn't say much before the.
rest, but | believe that scoundrel we
saw at Ladue's place would think moth
ing of shooting man in the back if he
had any cause TO do it. It's pity this
all happened. We might have all got as
much as we wanted before anyone
found out about it. Now there's no tell
ing what may happen"
Five minutes later he was asleep, and
TarboX was standing sentry over the
silent camp.
1t was nearly day break when he re-
plenished the fire, for the air grew very
chilly Soon a gray streak appeared in
the southeast, and as Tom came out of
his tent the sun was just rising over
the rolling land over which they had
travelled the day before.
The rest of the party were soon
awake, and Taylor said at once:
81 believe we have not been seen yet,
but we must get out of sight before
breakfast. Joe turn the horses loose
and start them off. The rest of us will
begin to pack in the stuff
He grasped heavy package as he
spoke, and the others followed his ex-
ample. When they reached the face of
the cliff he paused and said. solemnly:
81 am going to show you wonderful
secret. All | want is your word that
YOU will never reveal il until give YOU
permission. VIII you promise this?"
His three companions readily gave
their promise, and looked curiously
about them.
Their guide stepped up to the rocky
wall and carefully pushed aside the
mass of moss and creepers. disclosing to
their wondering gaze the same aperture
from which he had issued the previous
night Looking inside. they could see
that for several feet the rock overhead
was unbroken, forming an arch like
doorway at the height of some seven or
eight feet, but the light which showed
beyond was apparently from above.
Taylor led the way with his burden
after looping the creepers TO one sideto