Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-01-17
copyright. 1893. by S. s. Mcclur..l
CHAPTER XIV.
A SECRET NO LONGER.


would-be robber deceived in 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 a hearty laugh at 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 for another fortnight they
took only barely sufficient time ii
sleep. They were constantly in dread
lest some prospector should appear.
but day after day passed and left them
undsturbed.
The unusual labor, however, began to
tell 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 a very indefinite idea of
their wealth, as they had made no cal
culation up to that time, devoting every
moment to work. Now they watched
eagerly as he produced his scales and
began to estimate the weight of the
numerous bags containing the result of
their arduous toll.
Bag after bag was laid aside in
silence until the last had been weighed.
Then after a rapid mental calculation
the miner said:
"Well, make it that we've got about
S15O,OO0 worth now That's about $780,
600 apiece, and a very tidy months
work. But I'm tired. 1 haven't got
great many years to live and 1 confess
1 want to enjoy the rest of my days.
We can sell our claims here for big
pile any time, and l move that we
do it,
"But who is to buy them?" asked
Tom, while Avery merely nodded his
approval of his friends sentiments.
"There'll be dozens of capitalists and
spectators in Dyea by this time" re-
piled Taylor. We've got a good deal
more here now than we want to carry
out on our backs. l move that the rest
of you keep on digging here and that
1 go to Dyea, and find out what kind
of a trade 1 can make. Besides that,
these claims must be registered before
we can sell them"
81 agree that is the right thing to
do" agreed Avery. eve shall be rich
enough, and 1 confess / am anxious to
see these claims registered before we
have any trouble over them. I think
you'd better start right off. Dick. The
season is very short, and it'll take some
time to settle the whole thing up, even
if you find some one right off who
wants to buy"
The others were of the same opinion,
and it was soon decided that Dick Tay-
Tor should start the following morning
for Dyea on his important mission, the
rest delegating to him full power to dis
pose of their interests to the best adj
vantage and to bring the would-be buy
ers back with him.
Accordingly he started bright and
early the next day, the little party
watching him from the top of the cliff
until he waved his hand at a turn in
the trail and disappeared from view.
With listless steps the party turned
| to their work, but the labor of the past
| few weeks seemed to make itself left
| all at once, now that their thoughts had
been even temporarily turned toward
civilization. They had been shaving like
madmen each day, their minds intent
on adding to their golden store, while
at night they slept that sleep of utter
| hof Tox-lnr had n
verted their minds for awhile from the
incessant labor they returned to it al
most unwillingly against the protes'
of their aching limbs.
AS they neared the claims Avery sud
denly exclaimed:
81 wonder if that ridge is worth any
thing? I've been thinking lately tina
it may be where all this gold come:
from. All these pieces of quartz we
find in the bed of the river must have
been washed from it thousands of year.
ago. Suppose we break up few of thu
smallerpieces? five find gold there WE
shall have something to sell and NJ
mistake"
They had no implements heavier thar
axes and found it slow work, but afte
an hours disappointing labor the ole
miner gave a shout of triumph and stoot
erect, holding in his hand piece o
quartz about the size of an egg, tn,
side of which was a bright yellow. 1
had the appearance of honeycomh
the cells being filled to overflowins
with gold
AS the others gathered about him b
exclaimed:
"We've struck it! It's the riches
vein 1 ever saw"
The heavy lump was passed from
hand to hand for examination, an,
Avery said excitedly:
eff Dick had only known this! Thi
ledge is full of gold!"
"Then I guess we'd better locat
nere," said a strange voice near tn
little group.
With start of surprise they turne,
to see two rough-looking miners VIII
, had approached them from the woode
| side of the valley, their packs on thei
| backs, and who were gazing at tn
/ treasure in Avery's hand with greed
! eyes.
For moment our friends were to
| axtonished to speak; then Tarbo
| st spped forward with extended HAND
, saving.