Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-01-05
BILE to secure foothold and Chamber

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 a few mo-
| ments before.
| Hello, pards,'' he said, boldly APP
preaching our friends. eyer don't seem
over'n above glad ter see me, but I'm
| here. Now, what's ter be done? I amt
| a very revengefu1 sort O. cuss or I'd
ask yer what yer meant by trying ter
squash me with 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 hep"
1--WE parted company with the low
down skunk" was the ready reply, as
Bowers threw into his voice an excel
lent assumption of Indignation. ''He
them papers and dassent show his head
here fer fear the man what owned 'em
might hev passed US while we was off
the trail. I told 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 I was kicked out o. Joe
Ladue's, but was drunk an took some
dust from a chap what was drunker'n
L was. had the craze fer Ticker on me
an didn't more'n half know what was
doin'.
Besides that" he continued, seeing
that he was gaining ground, I've got a
good outfit down below here an I don't
ask no grub. I know you've struck it
rich here an here's the papers ter
prove it. I took 'em from that Rider
afore he started off. All I 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 I could bring hundreds o.
miners here in no time by telling what
know. What is it, pards, stay or light
AS he paused for reply the others
looked blanzly at each other. He had
spoken the truth. He had 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.
! Both Tarbox and Taylor realized that
/ they had but one course to pursue. The
/ -, l. = l,o1J LOW
that it would be necessary to go over
| u large piece of ground to follow it, and
should their discovery leak out they
would be confined to a claim apiece
where they now could pick and choose
over the entire valley.
Bowers watched them with an easy
air as they spoke in low tones for 4
moment, for he knew we'll they could
but decide one way. Presently Dick
Taylor said, bluntly:
"What you say is true in regard to
this place. We don't want you, but
. stuff up out Of sight. We will help you
do that for our own sake. After thai
, you will keep away from our camp an6
t dig all you please
An hour later his outfit was in the
valley, and as he busted himself putting
, up his tent he wore self-satisfied eX
preston that BODIED i'll for the peace
, of the men upon whom he had forced
, himself so cleverly.
, But if Hank Bowers could have beer
: present at little conference that nigh
he would not have congratulated him
self so suddenly. He was a deep rascal
but he had different material to dea
with than the sailor in whose company
= he had recently been
Dick Taylor was very shrewd sor
> Of a person, and while he had beer
forced to receive the stranger into hi
| camp he was determined he should no
;, remain there. after they were ready t.
have him go. To get rid of him in
. way that would keep his tongue sealed
in regard to the gold they had foun'
E was the problem and he had thought o
a way which he hoped might answe
their purpose.
That night he detailed his scheme t.
The others, and all agreed that it wa
the wisest course under the circum
stances. What it was will develop Later
81 don't believe a word about hi
breaking with that Rider" he added
i when the whole ground had been gon
over. There's no doubt in my min
I that they've put up some job betweei
b them. There's five of us, anyhow, an
while he's in camp we must keep a
eye open nights. Well divide the tim
up, and it won't come hard. We vii
stay in this tent, of course, and W
won't let him know but what we're a
asleep. He won't do anything until W
have bigger pile than we've got now.
Their plans being arranged, the littl
party separated for the night. but Aver
shared the cave with his daughter, a