The Winslow mail., 1900-10-11
CHAPTER XV-CoNTINUED.


plies, and he watched until the miner
went for fresh portion one evening.
Rider was helplessly intoxicated, and
Bowers had been indulging freely him
self. He placed a little pouch contain
ing about $500 in dust in his pocket,
and reeled out in the darkness without
the faintest thought of danger.
heavy blow behind the ear suddenly
sent him to his knees, and pair of
strong hands grasped his throat at the
same moment, but the owner had no
easy task to accomplish his object. The
realization of his danger fully sobered
Bowers, and with stifled curse he tore
the grip from his throat and gained his
feet by main strength
1t was too dark to see his assailant
but Hank Bowers was no coward, and
instead of attempting to flee or call for
help, he grappled silently with the
would-be robber.
1t did not last long. Once his arms
were about his enemy, Bowers was.
master of the situation. Inch by inch
he bent the other back until human
endurance could bear no more, and
with groan the mans muscles relaxed
and he fell heavily with Bowers on
top of him.
Struck snag that time, didn't yer?"
he demanded, grimly, seating himself
on the others breast and holding his
wrists so that he could not draw
weapon.
''Let me up, blast yer!" was the sullen
reply as the man tried in vain to move.
Want ter get up? All right, pard.
Jest remember I've got gun agin yer
ribs, though, an if yer don't go allqufet
I'll let hole. through yerl"
As he spoke he arose and allowed the
manto do likewise, keeping a stout grip
on his collar. Then he said, sternly:
go on where push yer. want ter
see yer face
short walk brought them to the
tent where Rider and Bowers slept, and
into this the latter conducted his pris-
oner and lit candle.
The light showed the face of a man
about 30 years, with am expression of
ferocity which was revolving, but Bow
ers surveyed it with satisfaction as he
asked:
"Well. Mr.. Man, what made yer tackle
me? Hard up?"
''Yes."
The fellow gazed at him unfiinching-
ly as he spoke.
II s'pose yer know I could come pret-
ty near hevin' yer hung fer this job?"
"Do it, d"yer, an don t talk about
it." was the prompt reply.
Bowers released his grip, produced a
bottle of liquor from his pocket and
held it toward his companion, saying:
Take drink You're man after
my own heart, you be. You an l kin
do business, l guess. How would yer
like ter lay yer paws on couple O.
hundred thou, all in dust an nuggets ?"
Whats that yer saying?" replied the
man, wiping his mouth on his coat
sleeve as he lowered the bottle. care
y,l maxim game of me or what the
do | look like chap that fooled?"
snarled Bowers, angrily. Il amt thet
kind. l know some chaps as has got a
few hundred pounds O. the yaller stuff
all dug, an if | had two or three good
men they'd whacll up the swag with
me-"
I'm yer mani" exclaimed the other,
looking him full in the eye. Il amt
scared of little blood. I'm desperate
and I'll join yer!"
know another good man we could
trust?' asked Bowers. "I've got a
white-livered cuss with me as I'm goin'
to cut loose from pretty quick. Three
will be plenty ter do the job"
"Plenty ter divide with, too. Why
can't we manage it between us?'
course we kim said Bowers, "an'
the fewer in it the better. Two good
men is better'n twenty fer such a job.
VIII yer stick ter me, no matter what
happens?'
Il never went back on a chum yet"
was the prompt reply.
'All right. Now, what's yer name,
pard?"
"My names Turner"
''Wall, Turner, let's finish this Ticker
the fust thing"
1t did not take long to accomplish
this, and then Bowers said:
''I'll furnish the outfit an take yer
-
where the game is ter be played. You
git one-third of ther swag an git two
thirds. That's fair, amt it?'
81 can't kick on that"
; "All right. Now we'll git some sleep
an to-morrer we'll see if thar's any
hosses ter be got. If | hadn't been
chump I'd held on ter what brought
in with me when | come
On the following day, however, he
took a different view of the matter. IT
would be impossible to start off on the
trip without arousing the suspicious of
Obed Rider, and Bowers decided that he
must be of the party.
Hes just the chap ter split on us if
y we happened ter have a scrimmage an
thar was any fuss here over it.
dassent leave him behind. We'll take
him an then he'll hev ter keep his
mouth shut when he's in the same boat
with u.s.
But after two days search he was
unable to procure a single horse, so
great was the demand. His gold was
running low besides, and at last he
dared not wait any longer. Each man
took as much provisions as he could
carry on his back, and, early one morn
ing, they started over the trail. armed
with rifles and revolvers.
When they had proceeded few miles
on their way, Bowers said:
oNovv par,1c vra.ro ont 70 L;