Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-01-12
CHAPTER XIII.
ROBBING THE CAVE.

t6O6blNST "a
Hank Bowers had been keenly aware
of what was going on about him. He
had worked steadily at his claim, and
would have considered himself lucky
dog had he not seen the men opposite
him carrying their findings to the cave
each night in heavy canvas bag, of
which they had large supply
They're diggin' fer me-
This was his secret consolation and
apparently it satisfied him. His plans
babe fair to come out well if the sailor
kept his word and returned. This was
the only disturbing thought. 1t was
the fear that his associate might fail
him that induced him to delye with all
his might in order that he might. have
gold of his own honestly if he could
get it no other way.
On the morning of the twelfth day
he saw the others were all at their work
before he made his way to the top of
the cliff. Although he knew the young
girl would see him, he did not suppose
she would attach any particular i'm
portance to the matter.
The sun was just showing above the
horizon as he glanced sharply toward
the distant bowlder, where mans fig
ure stood out in plain sight. Even as he
looked it disappeared.
''Hes got more sand than I thought
muttered Bowers, as he made his way
back to his claim and worked away
with feverish energy. 81 must risk it
tonight or never!"
He retired to his tent as usual that
night, but not to sleep. He had other
work to do. AS soon as he was satisfied
the rest were asleep he made his way
cautiously to the cleft in the rock which
led to the plain below. On one shoulder
he carried the results of his two weeks
labor in the shape of weighty bag of
gold, while in his hand was rope lad
der which he had fashioned at his lei
sure.
To fasten the last to the top of the
obstructing bowlder was an easy task,
aided by the light of match, which
could not be seen outside. Down the
ladder he felt his way, and after some
trouble reached the plain, where the
starlight made the rest of the way con-
paratively easy.
AS he approached the rock he saw
dark figure fastening to meet him and
moment later Obed Rider stood before
him, saying:
els it you, Bowers?"
eyes, Rider, it's me an yer a brickl
Right on time!"
Il got here yesterday. Sold the
horses for $3.50 apiece and put the coin
in a safe place there. Got three horses
with me back here. What are you
going to do?''
"'Git the bosses an foller mel" said
Bowers, hurriedly. ''I'll explain later
on"
Rider obeyed, and as they made their
way across the plain he asked again
| what his companion intended to do.
"A1 you've got ter do is ter wait
where 1 put yer an do as tell yer, an
to-morrer you'll be a rich man. re-
piled Bowers, mysteriously.
When they reached the base of the
cliff he fastened the animals securely
and led the way into the narrow pas
sage, saying:
Hold on to my coat. Itisn't far
When they came to- the rope ladder he
struck a match and whispered:
"Stay here till I come an pass some
thin down ter yer. Take it out an
! fasten it on the boss an come back. If
yer near eny SnOOtln come up an
! gimme a hand!"
| Without waiting for Rider to reply he
assembled the ladder, leaving the latter
in the dark passage and in no enviable
| frame of mind.
+, /, 'sNow for the gold" he muttered, as
he crept silently toward the cave.
| 1t was perfect night, and the stars
overhead gave sufficient light to enable
Bowers to see objects quite distance
away. He was obliged to move very
carefully over the broken ground to
| avoid a fall, but he seemed entirely at
home at this sort of work, avoiding
rolling stones as if by instinct.
In order to reach the cave he must
pass close to the tents, and as he drew
near them he redoubled his caution, for
his only hope of success lay in stealth.
Nearer and nearer he crept until he
could hear the heavy breathing of the
occupants, and for fully five minutes he
stood motionless, every sense on the
alert.
Apparently the entire party was
asleep, and with noiseless step he stole
past the two tents and fixed his eyes on
the opening to the cave. Twice since his
arrival he had managed to peep inside
unobseryed, and only that morning be
had seen the pile of fat canvas bags on
the ground to the left He had also no
ticed that the boughs and blankets
upon which Avery and his daughter
| slept were on the opposite side.