The Winslow mail., 1900-09-06
CHAPTER X.
RUN DOWN AT LAST.


"What brought you back SO quick 2"
said the newcomer, in a low tone 81
wasn't looking for any signal, and was
just going to turn in when 1 happened
to see the smoke. Who have you
brought with you?"
Zone of the Averys is with me-" was
the reply. Its long story, Dick 1
met him on the way. Come and take a
peep at him, and make sure. l haven't
told him anything thatll hurt us, but
there is no doubt he is the right party.
Come on, but keep out of sight till you
are sure"
AS he spoke he retraced his steps to
the fire, the other following close be-
hind him, until he was able to peer eau
tiously around rock and obtain a good
look at the party. Then, with shout,
he sprang forward and seized Avery's
hand, exclaiming:
'Bill, old man! Shake! Where's
John?"
Avery c1asped his hand warmly, but
did not reply for moment, and the two
old friends silently noted the changes
which the years had made in each other.
Many had passed since they met, and as
they stood there, looking into each
others eyes, with the light from the
fire Pickering upon their rugged
features, to each it seem ed that they
were back in the old days, when their
blood was hotter than now, and their
hair innocent of the gray with which
both heads were literally sprinkled.
Taylor was first to recover himself
and he repeated:
''Where is John? Didn't he
poor John is Dead" interrupted the
other, sadly "Ee died on the ship he
was coming on from Boston and was
buried at sea. This young man saved
him from drowning, but he was hurt
internally when he fell overheard and
never got over it,
John dead!"
That was all, but the hands of the two
men gripped harder for moment, and
both understood. No words of sympa-
thy could have conveyed more mean
ing.
Tarbox now stepped forward and
made his partner acquainted with the
other members of the party. Then he
said:
cts too dark to try to get up to the
camp tonight. We shall have to stay
here till morning, Dick There's long
story to tell, and I wish we were safe
out of sight now. Have you seen any
smoke before?"
Smoke? What do you mean? Who
would be doing that? All the people
who know our signal are here now"
"Not by long sight, they amt was
the reply, as Tarbox tried to- pierce the
darkness about them, which was in
tense by this time.
'What do you mean?"
''Well, it's long story, Dick. In the
first place, we might as well get a bite
of supper, and then Scott here will tell
you all about his trip on the vessel and
what happened to him. I'll finish the
yarn, and then you'll undersend just
how the thing stands"
This was sound advice, and his part
ner made no objection, but he was burn
ing with impatience, and could hardly
wait till the. frugal repast was swal-
| lowed. Then he exclaimed:
'Now, let's have the story There's a
good deal depending on it. Come, Scott,
fire away"
Tom at once began detailed account
of his acquaintance with the old miner.
and when he had concluded the story
Tarbox added his meeting with the two
men who had showed him the papers
adding:
"If I'd ever suspected the truth, Dick,
I'd put a spoke in their wheel somehow.
One of them is that tall scamp we saw
| hustled out of Ladue's. didn't recoo-
nize him at first, but when I saw him
tipping the wink to the sailor on the
sly, began to smell rat
But where are they?" burst out Tay-
lor, eNcitedly. "You say they were
ahead of US. Where are they now?'
That's what makes me uneasy" re-
| piled his partner. "We saw their tracks
back by the white cliff and they turned
off all right. We were too busy hurry
ing to look for them any moro. 1 sup
pose they have got off the track some
how, but if they should see our fire
there might be trouble. We must stand
a watch tonight. If we can get every,
thing out of sight before they get here
they'll never be the wiser. They can't
find us in hundred years.
His partner evidently shared his un-
easiness, for he responded quickly:
Perhaps they won't, but we mustn't
take any chances. III take the first
watch and you the second. We are
more used to this sort u thing, YOU
know. Well keep the fire oaw~, low,
1t isn't very cold"
[To BE CoNTINUEp.l