The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-06
CHAPTER TX.
JOINING FORCES.

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Tom and his party camped the first
night about thirty miles from Dyea.
The next morning they were early
astir and continued their journey. The
young girl was too full of life M
spirits to ride quietly at her fathers
side, and Tom had several long chats
with her as they wound their way along
the faintly-marked trail.
She confided to him that she did not
remember her mother, who died when
she was very young She had always
liVed in Wisconsin with her father, and
was ar only child. She refused to be
left behind on the present occasion, she
said, and 1t was very apparent she
ruled her father IN most things.
In return Tom described his life at
home, and the young girl listened with
GREATNESS interest to the story of the
voyage and his adventure at San Fran
cisco.
She was riding by his side late in the
afternoon when suddenly she pointed
to the summit Of a hill not far ahead,
and exclaimed:
See! There's a man coming this
way!"
She had scarcely spoken when the
second mate announced the same fact.
AS for Tom, he would not have seen an
army just at hat time, for candor
SoliPVlS III SldIClllSllI llldl liz "do Il-
ready hopelessly in love with his fair
companion. n paid out little atten-
ton to other things.
Five minutes later Joe Tarbox had
met them. and Tom accosted him at
once with:
How are you! Bound for Dyea?'
That's just it," was the response as
the man ran his yes rapidly over the
liberal outfit with an a~ppreciative
o1p moo aiXEhnra WIGHT ln had
ing?"
Were going toward Fort Selkirk,"
said Tom.
Going down the river to Dawson?"
IT'S hard to tell where We'll fetch
up" replied the young mar evasively.
Did you meet anyone on this trail
lately"' asked Avery, pushing forward.
The man hesitated a moment, and
then said:
well, yes, I did meet two men yes
terday. Friends Of yours?'
"Wha were they like?" asked Tom.
One was a tall chap that I think I've
seen at the river stations, and the other
was a sailor. He said he was, and he
looked it. He was stout built, with a
nose that looked as if It was broken
some time. He"
"Obed R;der!"
IT'S the mate" I'd" So.
The EXPLANATIONS broke simuitane-
ously from Tom and Green, while the
stranger looked at them in surprise,
and added:
THAT wasn'n the name he gave me.
He SAID his name was Tom Scott"
by thunder! We're on the right
course" shouted Green, while Tom
could only gasp:
tom Scott! That's my name!"
The man looked at them a moment
in blank establishment. and the a
light evidently seemed to break on his
mind, for he turned and looked sharply
at Avery and asked:
will you tell me your name?"
Certainly. My name is William
The other man stepped up to him at
once and extended one of his hands,
palm downward. on the middle finger
OF which was a heavy gold ring with a
curious device in the back,
IF that Is your name, you car tell
me the history Of this ring" he said,
looking Avery full in the face.
Il surely ought to be able to-" was
the reply, while the others looked on in
surprise at the little scene being en-
acted so unexpectedly before them. II
gave it to Dick Taylor in California a
good many years ago. You must be
the man he mentioned in his letter to
me. You are Joe Tarbox, or you
wouldn't have hat ring"
fright you are" was the hearty. re-
Spouse, "and I'm mighty glad to see
you. a o Vouch for these two
men? Is this really the Scott your
brother mentioned in his WILLY"
What do you know about his will?'
demanded Tom, blankly.
Because I've seen it,"
Seen it! I was robbed Of it in
Frisco"
THE mate must have shown 1t ia
him!" broke IN Green. II knew 1 was
right all the time!"
Continued Next Week.)