The Winslow mail., 1900-10-04
CHAPTER XIV.
A SECRET NO LONGER.

y
would-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 at his discom-
future when he should discover the
fraud, then retired to rest with feel
ing of relief at the success of their
counter-plot.
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
undisturbed.
The unusual labor, however, began to
tell on the older men, and one evening
Dick Taylor declared, as he threw him
self wearily 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
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 rapid mental calculation
the miner said:
"Well, make it that we've got about
$150,000- worth now. That's about $780,
600 apiece, and a very tidy months
work. But I'm tired. 1 haven't got a
great many years to live and I confess
1 want to enjoy the rest of my days.
We can sell our claims here for a 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. I move that the rest
of you keep on digging here and that
/ go to Dyea, and find out what kind
of trade | can make. Besides that,
these claims must be registered before
we can sell them
81 agree that is the right thing to
In ~ 0orr.ooI sSINa c1, Io ;ol
enough, and | confess [ am anxious to
see these claims registered before we
have any trouble over them. | think
you'd better start right eff, Dick. The
season is very short, and it'll take some
time to settle the whole thing up, even
;f 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-
lor 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 ad-
vantage and to bring the would-be buy
ars 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 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 slaving like
madmen each day, their minds intent
on adding to their golden store, while
at night they slept that sleep of utter
exhaustion. Now that Taylor had di-
verted their minds for awhile from the
incessant labor they returned to it al
most unwillingly against the protest
of their aching limbs
As they neared the claims Avery sud
denly exclaimed:
II wonder if that ridge is worth any
thing? I've been thinking lately that
it may be where all this gold comes
from. All these pieces of quartz we
find in the bed of. the river must have
been washed from it thousands of years
ego. Suppose we break up few of the
smallerpieces? If we find gold there we
shall have something to sell and no
mistake"
They had no implements heavier than
axes and found it slow work, but after
an hours disappointing labor the old
miner gave a shout of triumph and stood
erect, holding in his hand a piece of
quartz about the size of an egg, the
side of which was bright yellow. 1t
had the appearance of honeycomb.
the cells being filled to overflowing
with gold.
AS the others gathered about him he
exclaimed:
"We've struck it! It's the richest
vein l ever saw!"
The heavy lump was passed from
hand to hand for examination, and
Avery said excitedly:
''If Dick had only known this! This
ledge is full of gold."
'Then I guess we'd better locate
here" said a strange voice near the
little group.
With start of surprise they turned
to see two rough looking miners who
had approached them from the wooded
side Of the valley, their packs On their
backs, and who were gazing at the
reasure in Arery's hand with greedy
-es.
For a moment our friends were too
astonished to speak; then Tarbox
stepped forward with extende6 band.
saying:
Hello, Mitchell! Where did you come
from?"
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