Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-03-29

lent assumption OF lnulPndtlOHs ne
owned up this mornin' that he'd stole
them papers and dassent show his head
here fer fear the man what owned 'em
might hev passed us while we was off
the trail. TOLD him ter git out an leave
my company, and he's gone back ter
Dyea. That's straight"
His manner was so earnest that he
made an impression and was quick 10
notice it, Before anyone had time TO
reply he went on:
Its true ! was kicked out o Joe
Ladue's, but | was drunk an took some
dust from a chap what was drunker'n
| was. ! had the craze fer Ticker on me
an didn't more'n half know what | was
dom.
Besides that" he continued, seeing
that he was gaining ground, I've got a
good outfit down below here an don't
ask 10 grub. | know you've struck it
rich here an here's the papers ter
prove it, | took 'em from that Rider
aforc lac started oil. All | want is ter
stay here an make my pile. This is free
ground anyway, an yer can't drive me
OF if want Ger stay. Even if VI did
clean me out could bring hundreds o.
miners here i'm no time by telling what
/ know. What is it, pards, stay or light
out for Dyea and fetch the crowd?"
As he paused for a reply the others
looked bianly at each other. He had
spoken the truth. lie had a perfect
right to stay. They could not murder
him, and to drive him away would be
TO give the news Of their mine to the
world.
Both Tarbox and TAYLOR realized that
they had but one course topursue. The
pay streak was so crooked and shallow
that it would be necessary TO go over
a large piece of ground to follow it, and
should their discovery leak out they
would be confined to claim apiece,
where they now could pick and choose
over the entire valley
Bowers watched them with an easy
air as they spoke in low tones for a
moment, for he knew well they could
but decide one way. Presently Dick
Taylor said, bluntly:
What you say is true in regard 10
this place We don't want you, but
we are obliged to have you. Get your
stuff up out of sight. We will help you
do that for our own sake. After that
you will keep away from our camp and
dig all you please
An hour later his outfit was in the
valley, and as he busted himself putting
up his tent he wore a self-satisfied eN-
preston that BODIED i'll for the peace
of the men upon whom he had forced
himself 80 cleverly.
But if Hank Bowers could have been
present at a little conference that night
he would not have congratulated him
self so suddenly. He was a deep rascal.
but he had different material TO deaI
with than the sailor in whose company
he had recently been.
Dick Taylor was a very shrewd sort
Of a person, and while he had been
forced TO receive the stranger into his
camp he was determined he should not
remain there after they were ready TO
have him go. To get rid of him in a
way that would keep his tongue sealed
in regard TO the gold they had found
was the problem and he had thought OF
A way which he hoped might answer
their purpose
That night he detailed his scheme 70
The others, and all agreed that it was
( the wiscst course under the circum-
stances. What it was will develop later.
81 don't believe a word about his
breaking with that Rider he added,
when the whole ground had been gone
over There's 10 doubt in my mind
that they've put up some job between
F them. There's five Of US, anyhow, and
while he's in camp we must keep an
eye open nights. Wen divide the time
/ up, and il won't come hard. We vii
stay in this tent. Of course, and we
won't let him know but what we're all
asleep. He won't do anything until
we have a bigger pile than we've got
now"
Their plans being arranged, the little
party separated for the night, but Avery
shared the cave with his daughter. as
BE thought il safer. This was also the
repository Of some $4,000 worth Of
gold. which the two men had already
taken from the spot
On the following morning work was
commenced in earnest, and the piles Of
dift began to melt away before the yig-
orous attacks of the men. while Hank
Bowers dug manfully by himself short
distance away apparently satisfied to
take them at their word. lie was an
experienced miner, and his little pile
Of dust grew steadily.
That night the result Of their com
bned efforts was nearly $1,000, and
Tom Scott could hardly be content 20
take the necessary time for sleep. 1t
seemed TO him that his fortune was al
ready made.
Three days Of unremitting toll fol-
lowed, the average being a little less
than the first day. Then Avery said.
as they were starting out the fourth
morning:
Taylor, we are diggingin the wrong
place altogether"
The wrong place."
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