Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-12-21
Race for: Gold
A New E~nglander's ~SF
Adventures i'm AIaskas~ SS%s : " sOSssoS3
~ Copyrighted lSe by S 8 Mcclure Col


Now I'll show you where We live"
There was no sign Of a tent or hut
visible. but they soon saw that he was
heading for a stout bush not far from
the little stream and about one hun
dred feet from where they had emerged
from the natural tunnel.
Behind his bush they saw an open
ing partially concealed from view by a
big boulder. while others had been
added by human hands to make con-
cealment more effectual.
This is our house." said Taylor, 1t
will do nicely for your daughter, Bill,
and h rest of US a use the tents.
It's hot enough for the rest OF the sum-
mer."
The cave was about ten feet square,
and was not altogether the work OF
nature. The rock was very soft, and
the two men had spent many hours
charging II, until 1t was a very com
Portable place Of abode. Several skins
covered the floor, and Clara Avery
gave a vry Of delight as she entered:
I'll soon have breakfast ready now.
she said.
While she was preparing IL her father
strolled off by himself, and examined
the ground with a thoughtful air. He
came TO the ave when his daughter
called that the food was ready, but his
appetite seemed to be poor. and he had
little to say. Even his daughter no.
ticed his preoccupation, but whatever
was troubling him he kept II to him
self, and Joined the others, after break
fast, in the work of bringing up the
rest Of the goods, which proved no easy
task.
Three hours later, when the last
package had been safely piled In the
cave, Dick Taylor said, thoushtfully:
"Why wouldn't it be a good plan to
block up the passage. THOSE two
men are too near to suit me, Joe
They've got my letter and are sure to
find where we camped last night II
they look long enough. The very fact
that we let our horses go VIII let them
know that we must have gone where
we could not possibly take them. They
are sure to see the animals. suppose
they go nosing round and n the
opening under the moss? We are on
American soil and they nave as much
right here as we have"
'But one Of them tried to murder
me-" cried Tom, Indignantly, "and he
did rob mel"
1--WE might make him give up what
he STOLE" was the quiet reply, but you
have no courts here and can't prove
anything against him. / think I'll take
a look along the trail and see II there
are any signs Of them"
Turning on his heel abruptly he
made his way up the incline until he
reached the top of the cliff, where he
shaded his eyes with both hands, for
the sun was glazing. A men later
he called his companions, who hast
ened to join him.
Look" he said, as they reached his
side.
Following his outstretched arm the
A,~l1 !, not ~ nrn
the q mile from the foot Of the cliff
and making directly for 1t. That 1T was
the mate or his companion there could
be no doubt. He was leading several
pack horses, n Joe TarboX at once
recognized the outfit.
Its one Of them, sure enough" he
exclaimed. They've managed to f1nd
their way here, and now they Will see
the ashes OF our fire. They'll make
one in the same place, but that's all
the good it'll do them. Still, l think
we'd better stop up that hole, so they
can't get through II they do find It,"
Better do It at nee, then" replied
Taylor, and the two men started for
the entrance to the gully. When they
had reached IL Tarbox pointed to a
big boulder lying almost on the edge
OF the opening and said:
Call the rest OF them and we Will
roll this chap down. 1t won't go far
before it wedges, and then no living
man q come through"
But II required half an hours labori-
Gus work to accomplish this. they
were obliged to fell a small tree for a
lever, and even then 1t required their
united labor to move the heavy boul-
der. Inch by inch, however, they
forced 1t along until 1t o~verbalanced
Then with a sullen crash 1T fell into the
rocky bed and bounded down the steep
way for some thirty yards until II
reached a turn. Here 1t wedged itself
fast, completely blocking the passage
way.
But, mingled with the crash OF its
Judgment, the men distinctly heard a
muffled shout from beyond It, which
caused them to stare blankly at each
other.