The Winslow mail., 1900-10-18
o to Dyea while they mad. tracks for

go to Dyea while they made tracks for
Dawson and went round the other way
to Seattle. | saw them leave the trail
and strike off to the right
"Where will they strike the trail
again?" asked Tom, eagerly.
They'll come right back here as soon
as we have had time to get out of the
way" was the confident reply. "They
may think they can circle round us. but
I know this trail too well. THEY'LL find
that out after awhile and then they'll
come back this way, thinking we're
gone. It'll take 'em all day to do all
this, and 1 wouldn't be afraid to bet
| that they camp here tonight. At any
rate, if they went to Dyea they would
stick to the trail. You'll find l am
right"
Suppose we stay right here?" asked
Tom.
"Stay here?"
eyes. Look here, there are only three
of them. Clara has got revolver they
didn't know about. There's another in
| the hut where they caught me. l don't
know whether it's loaded or not. I saw
it as we were coming out. Why not
hide here to-day and if those men come
back and camp here tonight, as TarboX
says they will, it's pity if we can't
give them a dose of their own medi-
cine!"
"I'm with you'll" cried Tarbox. "It's
a famous plan! They will never for a
minute suspect such thing!"
Count me in, tool" said Green, and
the others were equally as eager when
they understood the proposition.
Tom made his way at once to the hut
and secured. the revolver he had seen
there. 1t was not loaded, but he placed
it in his belt, hoping to find some cart
ridges at the camp to fit it.
"We might as well have a bite to
eat" said the capitalist, whose name
was Seymour. Il haven't lost much,
and L confess that I am hungry. Miss
Avery, do you suppose you could give
us a cup of coffee?"
There were plenty of provisions to be
had, and, in spite of their misfortunes,
they all ate hearty breakfast, and felt
the better for it. When they had fin
ished, Tarbox said:
''Now we must get out Of sight and
keep a watch on the trail. 1 have no
idea they'll be along before late this
afternoon, but We'll take no chances.
This piece of woods runs so miles in
the direction they're taking, and they
can't get through it. They'll give it up
| l, 1c4o o,sth hoo h Ii
gone"
Joe TarboX proved true prophet.
Hank Bowers and his companions spent
the forenoon trying to pass the wood,
and then the leader said
''It amt no use goin' any farther this
way We might as we'll go back ter
their trail. Them fools has gone ter
Dyea as fast as their feet kin take 'em
ter try an find us. Come on
He wheeled his horse as he spoke, and
the Others followed his example. The
sun was below the horizon when the
tired animals once more entered the
track they had left that morning, anG
Bowers hurried his along, remarking:
''We might as we'll git along ter theI
old hut agin an camp ternight It'll
save ther bother of sticking out our tent
an cuttin' beds. Stir up those crit
ters!"
Half an hour later they had reached
the spot where they left their prisoners
1t was deserted, and Bowers chuckled
with satisfaction as he said:
'Thinll of 'em trampin' for all they're
wuth am we with all their stuff"
AS he spoke he dismounted, and
added:
''Well hev ter lead these critters in
ter ther bush with us afore we unpack
'em. We mus put all ther dust in the
hut with us. don't take no chances
Well STAN a watch, too"
After some trouble the horses were
led to the hut, the gold unloaded and
placed within. Then Bowers threw
himself on the pile of boughs, saying:
Come on, Turner, let's warm ou1
eyes. I'm too sleepy ter eat. Rider
you keep watch fer awhile, an then
wake one O. us up"
Almost as he spoke he dropped asleep
an example promptly followed by Tur.
ner, while Rider sat by the door yawn.
ing. Neither man had slept the night
before and soon his head began tc
droop.
ITO BE CONTINUED