Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-10-26

demanded. Didn't I hear a shot just
a moment ago?" p
Tom was about to reply when his
companion e~xclaimed:
1.-TWO men knocked me down and
would have robbed me but for this man
here. who pitched into them. They
both ran UP this way"
IT passed two men," said the officer.
"One was tall and the other short. Were
they the ones?"
Upon receiving nm affirmative reply,
he turned on his heels and dashed of
in pursuit of the evildoers, who by this
time had made good their escape
AS the avenue was reached a herdic
happened along and Tom halted It at
his companions suggestion.
Take us to the police station on Bat
terry street." he said to the driver, and
In a few moments they stood before the
official In a well-lighted room telling
their story. A physician was In attend
ance upon a prisoner and he soon made
a rapid examination OF their wounds.
"A few strips OF plaster will fix your
scalp all right" said he to the elder
man. and o u arm is only numb from
the blow. You'll be all right tomor-
row." Then turning to Tom, he added:
You have had q very narrow escape
from death, young man. That knife
was meant for your heart. AS 1t is, 1t
glanced on a rib and there Is no dam
age done. 1t is only a slight flesh
wound, which will give you no trouble
whatever"
A few moments suficed to dress the
cut properly, and after turning over the
knife and revolver to the authorities,
to aid In Identifying the two robbers,
Tom was about to start for his hotel
when his new acquaintance said, blunt
ly:
Hold on a minute. I'd like to know
the name of the man who stood by ar
old chap tonight and saved my life.
How did you happen along so handy
like?"
MY name is Tom Scott, and I hap
pened to e those men planning to
rob somebody, so l kept an eye on
them. That's ALL"
mo, 1t amt all, by o long chalk"
was the hearty response. You did
more'n that, and / might be chucked
into the dock before this only for your
pluck. My name is John Avery, and
I'm pretty well known along the water
front as q man of my word. II / car
ever do you a good u you can count
on me. Live here in the cityT
mo, I'm just from New Hampshire"
said Tom.
Looking for work."
@NNs a ~ ~ hbp ~ ''NA " AhAANN ~
get to the Klondike."
Then, by thunder, you needn't look
any longer" was the prompt reply. be
cause I'm bound there myself, n you
shall so with me If you want to. /
wouldn't ask a better mate than you.
Where are you stopping?"
Tom mentioned the name Of his hotel
and the other said at once:
"All right. Let's go there and talk
this thing over"
Half an hour later they were seated
in the smoking room and Toms modest
story was told. When he had finished
his friend said:
That's a good, straight yarn, and
some day / may have one to tell you
that will open your eyes. All / need to
say now is that my name Is John
Avery. I'm an old 49-er without wife
or child, and I'm bound for the Klon-
dixie to get my pile. It's waiting for
me there, all right. I've taken passage
on q sailing vessel because l like the
water and hate the cars. Besides, there
is no use getting there before spring.
/ will pay your passage out IN the
same vessel, and o can keep your
little pile. II the Yukon camps are
anything like the old days In Califor-
MIA, you'll need 1t all and more, too,
Wen call II a loan or anything you
like, and you a pay me when you
strike a rich claim
Continued Next Week.)