Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-04-05
CHAPTER MIL
ROOFING THE CAVE.

Hank bowers had been keenly aware
Of what was going on about him. He
had worked steadily AT his claim, and
would have considered himself lucky
dog had ne not seen the men opposite
him carrying their findings othe cave
each night iu heavy canvas bag. Of
which they Lad large supply
They re diggiu fermc.
This was his secret con ISOLATION and
apparently it satisfied him. His plans
babe fair TO come out We'll If &c sailor
kept his word and returned. Thi, was
the only disturbing thought II was
the fear that his associate might fail
him that induced him 10 dcive with all
lis m. ght in order that he might have
gold of his own honestly If he could
get it no other way.
On the morning of the twelfth day
he saw the others were all attheir 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 mans fig
ure stood out in plain sight. Even as he
looked it disappeared.
Hes got more sand than | thought"
muttered Bowers as he made his way
back 10 his claim and worked away
with feverish energy. Il must risk it
He retired TO his tent as usual that
night, but not 10 sleep. He had other
work 10 do. AS soon as he was satisfied
the rest were asleep he made his way
cautiously to the cleftin the rock which
led 10 the plain below. On one shoulder
he carried the results of his two weeks
labor in the shape Of weighty bag Of
gold. while in his hand was a rope lad
der which he had fashioned at his lei
sure.
To fasten the last to the top Of the
obstructing 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 sasy.
AS he approached the rock he saw a
dark figure Fastening 10 meet him and
moment later Obed Rider stood before
him, saying:
as il you, Bowers?"
"Yes, Rider, it's me an yer brick!
Right on time!"
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
going 10 do ?"
Git the bosses an foller mel" said
Bowers, hurriedly. I'll 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 ter do is ter wait
where | put yer an do as tell yer, an
to-morrer you'll be a rich man." re-
piled Bowers, ysteriously.
When they reached the base of the
cliff he fastened the animals securely
and led the way into the narrow pas
sage. saying:
Hold on TO my coat. Itisn't far"
When they came to the rope ladder he
struck a match and whispered:
stay here till come an pass some
thin down ter yer. Take il out an
fasten il 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 enyiable
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 enable
Bowers to see objects quite distance
away. He was Obliged TO move very