Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-12-28

had worked steadily at his claim. and
would have considered himself a lucky
dog had he not seen the men opposite
him carrying their findings to the cave
each night in a heavy canvas bag, OF
which they had a large supply.
They're diggin' fer me-"
This was his secret consolation and
apparently II satisfied him. His plans
babe fair to come out well IL the sailor
kept his wore and returned. This was
the only disturbing thought. 1t was
the fear that his associate might fail
him that induced him to delve with all
his might In order that he might have
gold Of his own honestly IL he could get
ii 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 a mans fig
ure stood out in plain sight. Even as he
looked Ii disappeared.
He's got more sand han / thought"
lauttered Bowers as he made his way
back to his claim and worked away
! with feYerish energy. II must risk IL
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 or a
weighty bag of gold, while in his hand
was a rope ladder which he had fash
toned at his leisure.
To fasten the last TO the top Of the
o~bstructing bowlder was an easy task.
aided by the light OF a 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 COM
paratively easy.
AS he approached the rock he saw
dark figure Fastening to meet him anC
a m later Obed Rider stood be-
fore him, saying:
us 1t you Bowers"
Yes, Rider, it's me an yer a brick!
Right on timei"
II 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 60
ing to do?"
"Git the bosses and foller mel" said
Bowers, hurriedly. III explain later
on"
Rider obeyed, and as they made their
way across the plain he asked again
what his companion intended to do.
"All you've got to do is ter wait
where ! put yer an do as l tell yer, an
tomorrer you'll be q rich man." replied
Bowers, mysteriously.
When they cached the base of the cliff
he fastened the animals securely and
led the way into the narrow passage,
saying:
Hold on to my coat. 1t isn't far"
When they came to the rope ladder
he struck a match and whispered:
"Stay here till / come an pass some
Thin dow ter yer. Take II out an
fasten It on the boss an come back.
II yer hear eny shootin' 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.
"Now for the gold" he muttered, as
he crept silently toward the cave
1t was a perfect night, and the stars
overhead gave sufficient light to enablc
Bowers to see objects quite a distance
away. He was obliged to very
carefully over the broken ground "a
avoid a fall, but he seemed entirely at
home at this sore Of work, avoiding
rolling stones as If by instinct.
Continued Next Week.)