The Winslow mail., 1900-10-18
CHAPTER XVI.-CoNT1NUED.


CHAPTER XVI.-CoNTINUED.
short walk through the scattering
trees brought the three men to the close
columns of the main forest, and soon
Tom saw what appeared to be a con-
frmation of the mans story, for in
little opening toward which they were
directing their steps he could distin-
guish the outlines of hut.
This is the place" said the guide, as
they reached the entrance. "Come in."
Tom was right at his heels and fol-
lowed him without hesitation. 1t was
now growing dark, and at first he could
not distinguish objects distinctly, but
gradually he became accustomed to the
semi-light and saw a mans form
stretched on the ground in one corner
of the interior, while deep groan came
from the spot.
Hank Bowers had altered his plans
somewhat since first outlining them, for
faint voice said:
'Who is it, Turner"
There was no mistal1ing the voice.
Both Tom and the second mate recog-
nized it instantly as belonging to the
mate of the Seabird. Tom stepped
quickly to his side and bent over him,
saying:
Its Tom Scott, the man you robbed
and nearly killed"
tom Scott!''
Rider seemed to raise himself on his
elbow by great effort and whispered:
Thank heaveni Here! Take the pa
pers l stole! 1 didn't hit you! 1t was
some one else. / did rob you, though.
Here, take them an say yer forgive
mel"
Without any suspicion of danger Tom
bent compassionately over the form of
the recumbent man to take the papers,
when he felt his pistol slip from his belt.
A hand had withdrawn it from behind.
1t was the hand of the guide.
Tom Strengthened up and turned
sharply to find the muzzle of revolver
within an inch of his face, while at the
same instant Hank Bowers appeared in
the doorway and covered the second
mate with a weapon, saying sharply:
Hands up! If yer move, yer dead
meni"
1t is needless to say that both Tom
and Green did as they were bid. TWAS
madness to attempt resistance, for not
only was there something in the mans
tone that showed he was in earnest, but
a third reason presented itself in the
shape of a weapon in the hand Of Rider,
whose face wore an expression of devil
ish triumph at seeing Toms pale face.
''What do you want of us?" demand
ed Green, who was the first to find his
tongue. =
''We want you," was the prompt re-
ply. Then we want the rest of the
party, an we may as well take in ther
dust while we're about it, Turner,
take them guns away from 'em, an
see they hain't got none out er sight"
This was done, and he added:
Here, Rider, tie 'em up, hand an
foot. You ought ter be handy at max
in knots that won't Slip seein' as yer
a sailor.''
A rope which had evidently been pre-
pared for the occasion was produced
and cut into requisite lengths, after
which Rider bound both prisoners Sc
curely and rolled them helpless into
the corner of the hut, completing his
work by tying pieces of blanket over
their mouths in such way that while
they could breathe they could not give
an alarm if so disposed.
All this was accomplished much
quicker than it takes to tell it, and in
less than five minutes from the time
Tom and his friend crossed the thresh-
old of the hut they were bound and
helpless prisoners, while Hank Bowers
and his two partners were congratulate
ing themselves on the outside at the
complete success of their scheme.
1t was now so dark that they knew
the party must camp for the night
where it was. That search would be
made soon for the missing men was
more than probable, and, after short
consultation, they concealed them
selves near the hut and waited.
Deeper and deeper fell the shadows,
until at length they were forced to the
conclusion that the miners had taken
the alarm.
"Fll try again" said Turner, at last.
at won't do to hev them suspectin' any
thin has happened ter them chaps. I'll
so out ter where they are an say the
two young fellows know ther sick man
an is goin' ter stay by him ternight.
Then I'll allow it's too dark ter fin my
way back ter the hut, or ther amt room
fer so many in it. Jest as it gets light
enuff ter see you an Rider kin come
down on us an hold the gang up with
yer guns. flight behind 'em, an we've
got em them
Good" whispered Bowers, admir-
ingly. That's great scheme!"
And it was. When Turner appeared
at the camp and told his story no one
had any suspicion that it was false
The men were all familiar with Tom 5
story, and it did not seem unnatural
that he should be charitable enough to
remain by dying man, even though it
was an enemy The tents had been
pitched. cheerful fire built near by
ard Clara Avery was tripping lightly
about to prepare the evening meal
while the men attended to the horses
and their precious burdens.
If there had been any uneasiness in
the minds of Toms friends it would
have reen dispelled when the stranger
said, carelessly:
'Say, rarGs there amt room enough