Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-10-08

do you think that is probable?"
asked the trapper, suddenly
The men looked askance at each
other. Hardly a man in the party
reasoned that if he was in Mart's
place, sharing would be the last thing
in his thoughts.
NO no, boys; it is all arranged be-
tween the two the trapper said; 'the
| McClouds are away on an expedition
! 10 the North, so that the girl does
not fear Interruption She is to lead
him to the secret mine to-day, and
then, after getting all the gold that
they can carry, they will travel to the
/ South"
And cheat us out of our sharew ex-
claimed one of the miners, indignant
ly.
1t looks that way" the trapper re-
piled.
reckon that we will have something
to say about that" Buckskin Bill OBJ
served. significantly; and he tapped
the butt of his revolver with his hand
as he spoke.
The men glanced in each others
faces for n moment their brows low
erins and their lips contracted. Fear
full thoughts were in their minds, but
each waited for the other to put the
thoughts in words.
Boys, we must take n hand in this
hyer game.' Buckskin Bill exclaimed,
abruptly and decidedly. Il move that
we follow after Mart, seize him and
the girl, and force them to reveal the
secret mine to us. We are all COM
rades, ard should share alike"
"Goodn' cried the trapper, in his Ia
comic way; and the rest of the men
nodded their heads in appreciation.
But suppose that the girl will not
tell us where the mine is located?"
suggested one of the men.
II reckon that we can force her to
do that" the burly leader said, grim
ly. Life is worth more than gold
secure both Mart and the girl, for he
will he apt to be ugly if we lay violent
hands upon his lady-bird."
1--WE must be off," the trapper said,
glancing toward the east, where low
ering clouds hid the rising sun.
Into the wilderness. following in the
track Of the young miner. the party
went.
An hours tramp and they came to
a little, open glade by the side of the
Pitt River.
In the centre of the open space stood
the young miner and Il raven-hared
Indian girl, straight as pine, 1.-the
as willow and as fair as n wild
wood violet although the dusky blood
of the Red McClouds danced in each
vein.
The girl was named Spotted Lily
and known from the hills of Oregon
to the headwaters of the Sacramento
as the flower of her tribe.
Forth into the open space came the
miners in war-lilie array.
Mart started in surprise while the
Indian girl started in alarm.
The miners surrounded the two. and
Buckskin Bill sternly questioned his
comrade.
Il reckon that we ought to have n
finger in this pie he said. "Are you
going to act square by us or not?'
why should you doubt me?" Mart
exclaimed, Indignantly.
"Never mind why; we do" Bill re-.
piled. I'VE intend to have our share.
We know where you got that nugget
that you showed us, and know, too,
that there is more where that came
from. So jest give up your arms and
tell the girl to show us where the
secret mine is; you shall have fair
share"
why should l give up my arms?"
demanded Mart, Indignantly.
Because we don't trust you" re-
piled Bill, bluntly. Seize him. boysm
At the word the miners sprang upon
Mart. Not taken entirely unawares
drew his revolver but ere he could
raise the hammer, eager hands
clutchcd him and bore him to the
earth; desperately he struggled, thrice
he rose to his knee, throwing off his
assailants like the wild boar casts off
the hunting dogs, but again and again
the miners gripped him. Wounds
were given and received as Mart re-
leased his bowie-knife from its sheath
and then angry passions could be re.
strained no longer, and Mart lay a
bleeding, dying man upon the ground
Restrained by two of the miners
the girl had looked upon the struggle
with flashing eyes, but at the death
of her lover all the iron calmness of
her race came back to her and she
stood motiOnless as II statute.
Even the heavens seemed to lower
upon the fearful scene and the pat
tcring rain commenced to fall.
Now tell the girl what we wantm
BucEskin Bill cried fierccly, to the
trapper.
The secret mine where the yellow
metal lies hid"' the trapper exclaimed
to the girl, speaking in Indian tongue
Scornfully the daughter of the Red
McClouds shook her head
Then the trapper unshcathed his
. how TO- knife and plo noJ tho ,,nint WOO,