Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-01-05

the men mounted a horse and drove the
rest directly toward the hidden watcher.
whats he drivin' at?" muttered
Bowers to himself.
AS the rider drew near the miner was
forced to throw himself at full length
on the ground to escape being seen, and
he fingered his revolver grimly. Tar
box was too busy with the horses TO look
very sharply about him, and soon
turned back after giving the animals 4
few sharp blows, which sent them off
at full speed.
Then he returned to his party, and
at last they had all disappeared from
sight
Bowers waited until he was satisfied
that they would not reappear; then he
stretched his cramped limbs and hur-
ried back to Rider, who was inpatient
" awaiting him.
s'What are they doing?'' asked the
latter, eagerly.
They've turned all their critters
loose an hid away somewheres," was
the reply. "See here, Rider, I've got a
scheme
''A scheme?"
'That's what said. It's good one,
too. Suppose you could find yer way
back to Dyea?"
"Of course I could. Why?"
I'm goin' ter tell yer why. Thar's
about a dozen good critters turned
loose. They're worth $500 apiece in
Dyea, dunno but more. You don t
seem ter want ter put up bluff an jine
this party. Well ketch them horses an
Arix so11, hoo To M ca1l scrr1
Bring one spare critter back with yer
fer me an one fer Their swag. When
yer git back come ter tibet big bowlder
an jest as Their sun is risin' show yer
self a mint. That night hev the horses
thar an I'll jine yer. UNDERSTAND
But what are you goin' to do?'
That's my funeral. You do jest as
I tell yer. Don't make any slip. 1t
wouldn't be very healthy fer yer if yer
went back on me. I'd foller yer all
over kingdom come"
! Rider jumped at the proposal
Whether he would return or not was a
question he could settle later on. Al
| present it was enough to be rid Of the
desperate man who eyed him as if read
ing his very thoughts.
you'll come back. shall have gold
enough to make us both rich or else
shan't be Dove ground. I'm takin' al
| the resk an eff yer don't come back
shall prob1y miss yer. I'll do my part
| an you see you do yours"
| It was evident that he was about tic
engage in some desperate scheme, and
Rider fastened to assure him that he
| would be back as fast as possible.
I;~l -
back in IL days." said Bowers. 81 shall
| look fer yer bout that time, So long
Rider started off on the back trail al
once, and while he is making his way &c
| Dyea we must follow Hank Bowers a:
| he rides around the bowlder and ap
| proaches the spot where Tom Scotland
his party had camped the night be
| fore.
| He had no means of telling whether
| his approach was observed or not, bu
| he rode boldly forward and SCOT
i reached the deserted camp. Here he
| dismounted and walked toward the
| cliff between the scattered rocks in tn,
! same direction he had seen the outfi
| carried
"I'll swear this is the way they went,
he said aloud as he paused before TIL
face of the cliff and looked keenl,
about him. They hain't got wings an
they must be here somewhere or theyt
never drove off them horses. They're il
some place horses couldn't be took, bu
whar is If? faint up Their valley
cause 1 seen 'em come in here with N,
own eyes"
For some time he paced about tn
spot, examining each bowlder to Sc
that there was no hiding place near il
but he could discover nothing and be
gan to grow angry.
Wouldn't it be slick if that Gus
should sell the bosses an skip out ar
I shouldn't find these-Helloi What
that!''
His restless eyes at last noticed tn
mass of vines which covered the open
ing in the cliff, and with a wrench b
tore it aside.
I've got it now" he cried, as he en-
tered without hesitation and made hi
way along the rocky passage. "Wha
luck! No wonder they let the critter
go! This beats all ever saw!''
Ahead of him was a sharp turn, an
just before he reached it there was
crash like thunder, and an instant late
the way was blocked by massive roc
which would have crushed him had b
| been few feet further ahead.
In spite of his wonderful nerve Bow
ers was so startled that he uttered
shout of dismay, which reached the ear
| of the men above.
| CHAPTER XII