The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-13

The questions now flew thick and
fast and soon Tarbox was made aware
of the true state of affairs Tom
showed him the Identification he had
brought from San Francisco, which re-
moved the last lingering doubt, but
their new acquaintance was determined
to take no chances. He maintained a
discreet silence in regard to the mine
and its exact location, declaring that
until his partner had seen and ac-
knowledged the party he was not at lib
erty to reveal any of the secrets.
At length Avery said, abruptly:
But O are not going to Dyea
now? We have supplies enough here
to feed our party and you two besides
FOR the next year. You must come back
with us. We ought to hurry as fast as
We can with those two scoundrels
ahead of us. They may catch Dick with
the papers they've got. How can he
tell but what they are all straight?"
Tarbox chuckled grimly as he re-
piled.
'They won't find him. You'll under
stand better when you get there. Dick
will know the tallest galoot the mo-
ment he sets his eyes on him. We've
both seen him before. The sailor picked
out just. the man to queer him with
Dick. If it wasn't for that I might feel
. d l1ltlc u u1lCASy, Dul IL y al ElSlll, l.
tell you. Dick Taylor is no tenderfoot.
We might as well camp for the night.
It'll soon be dark. If a. this stuff is
grub there's enough to feed the whole
Klondike country"
He was firm in his refusal to pro-
coed further that day, and, in fact,
by the time h loads had been re-
moved from the horses and the ami
mails cared for the sun had disappeared.
TIT tents were soon pitched and after
supper n q friendly chat the entire
party stretched themselves on their
rude couches and were soon asleep.
~An. early start was made the follow
Ing n%lorn4ng, and, th.-se Gays latcr, as
they reached the top of a long ELL, Tar
box pointed to q white cliff q few miles
to the north and said:
There is where the trail branches
off to our place. It's only about TWEEN
ty-fve or thirty miles then. We'd bet
ter push ahead and see if we can't make
1t before dark"
i An hour later they reached the land
mark. Tom could not see any sign OF q
trail in the direction in which TarboX
turned his horses head, but after d
the latter pointed to a spot
where the marks Of hoofs were plainly
to be seen and said coolly:
Our two friends managed to find
their way, / see"
LIZ Iidu IoC uttered a. threat against
the men who had tried to deceive him,
but Tom felt certain there would be G
day OF reckoning In the near future.
There was an afr of resolution about
their guide which is only gained by
contact with danger in it's various
forms. a."
Push the horses along" said Tar
box. We shan't want all Of them afte,
today. Mebbe we shan't want them at
all. We can keep them where we are
going.'
But there's plenty of meat on thei,
bones" said Tom.
w won't need it,"
not to explain himself and the subject
was dropped. Mile after mile was rap.
Tarbox was apparently determined
IDLY traVersed, for the country was
comparatively open, and even the pacI
horses could trot at times. Still the
guide showed no sign of pausing, anc
at last the sun was dipping behind the
horizon. Then he suddenly turned K
the left around a huge boulder toward
which they a been travelling for some
time, n the rest saw directly in from
OF them the summit of two lofty hills
the gorge between them being densely
wooded about half way up on either
side.
The tops were still Drowned will
snow, upon which the setting sun shon'
Its crimson rays until they seemed
bathed in blood.
For some distance on the left of tn,
travellers extended a perpendicular cliff
& fully a hundred feet high an daccessi
BILE My to the birds. On the right tn
ascent was more gradual, but the tree
We're very dense until the snow lin,
was reached.
Tarbox led the way among the bowl
ders at the foot Of the cliff until h
Am to an open spot. Then he dis
Z mounted and said:
We are here. Now for a fire"
Tom was about to go for fuel, vine
he saw Tarbox reach behind a rock an
bring out q handful of dry wigs an
moss, which he soon ignited. Whe
h blaze shot up he covered it wit
damp moss, and the result was a dens
column Of smoke which went curling u
the face Of the; cliff until it showed dis
tinctly against the sky above.
The other men busted themselve
with the usual routine work Of canE
ing, but Tarbcx stood by the fire i
silence Tor fully ten minutes. An az
Y. xious look began to appear on his fac
but suddenly he gave a little exclams
ton Of relief as a pebble struck him Q
the shoulder md rebounded to til
ground.
eth be back In a minute" he Gale
to Averyss daughter, who was neare!
to him. Then he disappeared benin
one Of the rocks.
Like a shadow he glided along in tt
gathering darkness, twisting and turf
ing without hesitation until he stoppc
at a spot where the base OF the eli
was covered with scrub and mos
With a hasty glance about him. as
to be certain no was watching hir
& he stopped and pulled aside a mass
clinging 3c%reepers from the rock, revea
8 n a narrow opening some three fe,
wide and extending upwards to an VI
known height.
d ...All right, Dick he whispered, sof
iy, Ind then came a rustling noise {
a man appeared from the dark cavita
and grasped his hand warmly.
CHAPTER x.
RUN DOWN AT LAST.
what brought you bac so quick
said the newcomer. in a. low tone.
wasn't looking for any signal, and w
just going to turn in when ! happent
to see the smoke. Who have W
broughtawith you2"