Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1900-01-10
CHAPTER XIV.
a SECRET NO LONGER.

AS the reader is aware, there was no
pursuit made after Rider and his com
panion. The whole matter had been ar
ranged by Avery. who had seen a
wou!d-be robber deceived in a similar
manner in his younger days. He had
been awake through it all. and there
had been no intention to shoot the thief
They had purposely aimed wide of the
mark.
When he had disappeared they all in
dulged in hearty laugh az his discom-
future when he should discover the
fraud. then retired to rest with a feel
ing of relief at the success of their
counterpart.
Freed from the necessity Of watching
Bowers. they now redoubled their la
Dor, and Tor another fortnight they
took only barely sufficient time ii
sleep. They were constantly in dread
lest some proSpcctor should appear.
but day after day passed and lief; them
undisturbed.
The unusual labor. however. began to
tel on the older men. and one evening
Dick Taylor declared. as he threw him
self YEARLY down on his couch:
I'm about ready TO quit. Let's reck-
on up how we stand"
They had very indefinite idea of
their wealth. as they had made no cal
cuIation up TO that time dcvoting every
moment TO work Now they watched
eagerly a, he produced his scales and
began 10 estimate the weight of the
numerous bags containing the result Of
their arduous toll
la" after bag was laid aside in
silence until the last had been weighed
Then after rapid mental calculation
the miner said:
We'll. | make it that we've got about
$4,000 worth now. That's about $50
900 apiece. and very tidy months
work. Hut I'm tired. haven't got a
great manv~ycars to live and confess
want TO enjdy the rest Of my days.
We can sell our claims here for big
pile any time. and move that we
do it."
But who IS TO buy them" asked
Tom. while Avery merely nodded his
approval Of his friends sentiments
"Ihcrc'I be dozens of capitalists and
Spectators in Dyca by this time" re-
piled Taylor. We've got good deal
more here now than we want 20 carr,
out on our blck- / move that the rest
o. YOU keep ON digging here and that
J go 10 Dtr1 and find out what kind
Of trade can make Besides that.
these claim, must be registered before
wc can sell them"
~ aare. that Is the right thing to-
do agreed Avery. eve shall br rich
enoug. AND ! confess am anxious 10
see 'he.. claims registered before vc
have ans trouble over them. ! think
you'd better start right or Dirl, The
season r,ry short. and it'n take some
time 10 -offl. tho whole thing MP. even
If you dnd some one right off who
wants to buy"
The other, were Of the same opinion.
and if was soon decided that Dick Tay-
Tor should start the following morning
FOR DfDH ou IBIS important mission the
rest cc.cglfing 80 him fun power 20 dis
pose OF their interests 10 tn. best adj
vantage and fo bring the wouid-br buy
srs back With hIu
Accordingly hr started bright and
early the nest day the little party
watching hW from thc sop OF tho cliff
until be waved bis hand ar turn iu
the trail. and dI appeared from view.
With iist.r. stcps thc part, turned
20 their work but 'hc labor of tho past
few week seemed 90 max. itself left
al at once now tlat thrirthouglt had
been even temporarily turned toward
civilization They bad been s'ating like
madmcn each day their mind, intent
on adding 10 their golden tore. while
at night they slept that sleep Of utter
exhaustion Vow that Taylor had di-
verted their minds for awhile from The
4acess ant labor they returned 10 it al
most un~illingly against the protest
Of their aching limbs
As they ncarcd the claims AVERY sud
denly sselsimcd: