The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1900-01-27
CHAPTER XVII.
CONCLUSION.

I'm this position, he arose and paced
slowly up and down in front OF the hut,
as he had been accustomed 10 do on
shipbonrd.
He did not see dark form which
drew nearer each time his back was
turned.
Closer and closer il crept until il
reached tree at the end Of his route.
The next time he turned his back TO il
he was seized by the throat from be-
hind with grip which completely shut
OF his breath while stern whisper
sounded in his ear:
snake a sound and I'll kill you like n
dogl"
Obed Rider made no attempt TO strug-
gle after the first involuntary start Of
surprise. The cold rim of steel pressed
against his ear was too strong an argu-
ment in addition TO the viselike grip on
his windpipe.
The latter was loosened when he
ceased struggling and the voice whis-
pered:
"Come with me quietly, or it'll be the
worse for you'll"
The speaker pushed him along \ few
yards until he reached spot where ""
could readily distinguish the outlines
of several men under a tree. AS they
approached the group, his captor said:
.Here he is. Now, what shall we do
with him?"
1t was Tarbox who stood behind the
prisoner, and he added;
tsOnn s1f faly u ic M 4 "
Tom Scott sprang TO the side of his
old enemy and TO his delight found
two loaded revolvers in his belt. which
he secured, giving one TO Taylor.
Avery had taken the one from his
daughter, and Tom found that the car
tridges in the weapon just secured fit
ted the empty revolver he had found in
the hut.
To slip three OF them into il was the
found they had four weapons ready for
use, and determined to lose no time in
recovering their golden treasure.
Lets surround the hut" said Tom,
eagerly, "and call them out. They'll
surrender when they find they have no
show with us"
But Avery advised caution. They're
desperate men," he said, and they win
fight when, cornered. We don't want
any bloodshed over this affair IL we can
help 10. When daylight comes they
may be glad TO give us the gold TO save
their skins, but if we surprise them in
the dark somebody is likely to get
killed.
"See here" said Tarbox, suddenly,
still gripping Riders collar with his
sinewy hand, "why can't this rascal
help USE Send him back, and let him
get hold Of the guns in the hut and
bring them out. IL he tries any crook
ed business III put bullet through him
myself at the first sign"
"You hear?" said Taylor. Now be
of, and remember we are six 10 your
three. We already have the horses
safe, and IL you serve us well ysu shah
20 free, although you ought 10 be hung
for what you have done. Go back and
get all the weapons you can out OF the
hut. Hurry up"
s'But Bowers will shoot me in min,
ute IL he wakes" whispered Rider, fear
fully.
"Shoot him first, then" was tbc
prompt response. "I'll shoot you il you
act the least bit suspicious. No more
talk now. Startl"
The muzzle OF a revolver poked
smartly into the small Of his back left
the wretched man no alternative and
he stole away toward the hut, where his
two confederates were sleeping, his
heart beating so loudly that il seemed
TO him IL must arouse them the instant
he reached the threshold. lie dared not
pause, however, and as he picked his
way along through the trees he began
10 realize that the way OF the trans
gressor is sometimes not SO rosy as II
Is painted.
When he reached the door he could
plainly hear the deep snoring OF botl
men, and. mastering all his courage, he
stepped lightly inside.
In order TO reach the rifles In the cor.
ncr he was forced TO step over the body
of Turner, and II seemed 10 the mate
that he lived an hour In the few sec
onds so employed.
His hand tremblcd so that II was with
the utmost difficulty he managed to Sc
cure the three weapons noiselessly. but
fortune favored him. With bated