The Winslow mail., 1900-08-09

Il
| sailed the same day. The man had re-
ceived telegram announcing the dan
gerous illness of his wife, and was eager
to leave Seattle by the next train.
The mate happened to be the first
man he met, and the latter soon came
to terms with him, and hurried Oh board
to secure his quarters. He kept him
self out of sight as much as possible.
but when the lines were cast off tbe
following day and the City of Seattle
steamed out of the harbor he drew a
long breath of relief, and said, half
aloud:
"We're off at last, and I'm safe now. -
He found that his ticket entitled him
| to a stateroom, and that the trip from
Seattle to Dyea usually occupied about
five days. All his fellow passengers
were wild with impatience to reach the
land of gold, and now that he felt safe
from pursuit he eagerly listened to the
stories of wonderful wealth found bv
lucky miners, for each one made it
more probable that the papers he had
secreted about him were genuine evi-
dence, a fact which at times he was in
clined to doubt.
He had paid the returning miner $500
| for his ticket and outfit, the latter in
| Guiding three horses and good supply
cf provisions, while the former includ-
! ed their transportation to Dyea free Of
cost He must, however, land them
himself, the company declining all re-
.7 i l,l ~
sponsibility for this part of the work.
A short stop was made a t jun eau, and
two days later he found himself on the
beach at Dyea with his belongings and
feeling utterly at a loss how to proceed.
How to handle this formidable outfit
was puzzle. On board a vessel he was
at home, but horse was an animal of
which he knew very little and here
were three of them besides the heap
of miscellaneous articles piled on the
rocky shingle.
1t was plain that they must be moved
before the tide came in, and with a
sailors knowledge of knots he soon
lashed the burdens on the backs of the
raw-boned animals and succeeded in
getting them to the town safely.
A small tent was among his newly
acquired possessions and he proceeded
to pitch it as best he could, piling $
goods outside. He set up his litl
sheet-iron stove and was going for wa
ter when he passed close to one of his
animals, who launched out vicious1y at
him with his hoof, sending him to the
ground several yards away with a
broken rib and his left arm badly
bruised.
whats the trouble?" said a rough
voice from the next camp as burly,
bearded man strolled 1eisure1y to the
spot. "Hurt We much, pard?"
A string of oaths burst from Rider as
he scrambled to his feet.
Something's cracked inside," he
growled, "and my arms hurt. D-n
the horse, anyway"
Better let my mate see if anything's
wrong. He's master hand with any
thing O. that kind. Here, Scott!" he
added, raising his voice.
Obed Rider started at the name, but
he turned fairly white with amazement
as tall. broad-shouldered man in the
prime of life issued from the tent and
came toward him, saying;
'What is it, Jack?"
Before the other could reply both
Rider and the newcomer uttered eX-
carnations of astonishment.
"Obed Rider!"
"Capt. Scott!"
less way as if seeking some avenue of
escape, but the other held out his hand
cordially, saying:
'Of all men, to see you herel" Then
he added:
'But you are hurt. Can I do any
thing for you? Let me have little
look. We can talk afterward"
The injury was soon located, and aft
er predicting that a few days would
set the matter right, Capt. Scott said:
"What on earth brought you here
Have you been home lately? Did you
see my boy?"
The mate had done considerable
thinking during the past few minutes.
After the first surprise was over he had
rapidly determined upon his course,
and he now shook his head, replying:
I'm afraid I can't give you mach
good news from home, cap'n."
His eyes fell as he spoke, but the
other was too eager to notice.
"What do you mean, Rider?"
The voice was hoarse now with sup
pressed eagerness. ''My boy! Tell me +!
Is he-why don't you speak? My
brother, too! D it, man speak out!
Has anything happened to them? They
might both be dead by the way you
act!"
''They are" murmured Rider, still
with his eyes cast down.
Without a word the captain turned
on his heel and disappeared. 1t was
half an hour before he returned, and
there was such change in his rugged
features that even the mate felt com
passion for him. But he had no alter
native. Anything to prevent Toms
father from learning the truth. He
had told his story, and now he must be
prepared with the details. Fortunate
ly the absence of his latest victim had
given him time to rapidly sketch out a
line of procedure which he hoped
would be safe.
LTo BE Continued
Medieval French Deggars.
The rank and file of the beGgars