The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-08-04

IS hot enough for the rest of the sum-
r.er."
The cave was about ten feet square
and was not altogether the work of
nature. The rock was very soft. and
the two men had spent many hours
enlarging II, until it was a very com
Portable place of abode Several skins
covered the floor. and Clara Avery gave
cry Of delight as She entered.
I'm soon have breakfast ready now"
She said.
While she was preparing it herfather
strclled off by himself. and examined
the ground with a thoughtful air. He
came to the cave when his daughter
called that the food was ready. but his
appetite semed TO be poor. and he had
little to say Even his daughter noticed
his preoccupaton, but whatever was
troubling him he kept it to himself,
and joined the Others. after brca kfast.
in the work of bringing up the rest Of
the goods, which proved no easy TASK.
Three hours later, when the last
package had been safely piled in the
cave, Dick Taylor said thoughtfully:
"Nhy wouldn't il be good plan to
block up the passage? Those two
men are too near to suit me. Joe.
They've got my letter and are sure to
find whore we campcd last night 1T they
look long enough. The very fact that
we let our horses go will let them know
that we must have gone whore we could
not possibly take them. They are sure
to see the animals Suppose they 20
nosing round and find tie opening un-
der the moss? We are On American soil
and they have as much right here as we
have"
But one of them tried to murder
/ me- cried Tom, Indignantly, and he
did rob mel"
1--WE might make him give up what he
stole was the quiet reply, but you
have no courts here and can't prove
anything against him. l think III take
a look along the trail and see if there
are any signs of them
Turning on his heel abruptly he
made his way up the incline until he
reached the top of the cliff, where he
shaded his eyes with both hands. for
the sun was glaring. moment later
be called his companions, who hast
ened to join him.
"Look!" he said, as they reached his
side
Following his outstretched arm the
others saw a mounted man not more
than a mile from the foot of the cliff
and making directly for it. That il was
the mate or his companion there could
be no doubt. lie was leading several
pack horses, and Joe TarboX at once
recognized the outfit.
Its one of them, sure enough!" he
exclaimed. "They've managed to find
their way here, and now they will see
the ashes Of our fire. They'll make
one In the same place. but that's all the
good itIl do them. Still, think we'd
better stop up that hole. so they can't
get through if they do find it"
Better do it at once, then" replied
Taylor, and the two men started for
the entrance to the gully. When they
lad reached ii TarboX pointed TO a
big bowlder lying almost on the edge
Of the opening and said:
Call the rest Of them and we will
roll this chap down. II won't 90 far be-
fore il wedges and then no living man
can come through"
But ii required half an hours labori-
Gus work TO accomplish this They
were obliged to fell a small tree for
lever, and even then it required their
united labor TO move the heavy bowl
der. Inch by inch, however. they forced
it along until it overbalauced Then
with a sullen crash it fell into the rocky
bed and bounded down the steep way
for .ome 80 yards until it reached
turn. Here it wedged itself fast, com
pletely blocking the passageway.
But, mingled with the crash of its
lodgment, the men distinctly heard
mutlled shout from beyond it. which
caused them TO stare blankly at each
other.