Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-04-19

1
They had registered their claims in
Dyea. but there was considerable doubt
whether they were located i'm. American
or British territory, as the boundary
line was not exactly known. This, how
ever, had been fairly explained TO the
purchasers who declared their willing
ness TO take the risk. This they could
well afford to do, for they had bought
the claims for about oue-quarter their
actual value. and were well aware Of
TIE fact. They had only to register
them in Dawson also to make them
selves safe.
Their progress was necessarily slow,
for each horse carried not only rider,
but a large amount OF gold as well.
Where the trail was very rough the men
were forced TO dismouut at times, so
that it was nearly night on the second
day when the party drew near the piece
Of woods where Hank Bowers and his
rascally confederates were hidden
TAYLOR was leading the way as they
reached the first trees where already
the lengthening shadows were stretch
ing across the trail. The others were
stragglingalong behind him, while Tom
and Clara Avery rode side by side in
the rear.
In fact this had already become his
usual place, and his devotion was so
apparent that the others had come to
regard it as foregone conclusion that
the young couple had met their fate in
each other.
Taylor was some ten yards ahead OF
his party when suddenly man hur-
ried out of the woods at his left and
came directly toward him, shouting:
stranger. Hold on"
Checking in his horse, Taylor allowed
the man TO reach his horses side and
then exclaimed:
"Who are you and what do you
want?"
BY this time the rest Of the party had
reached the spot and halted.
There's a man back in the woods a
little way here that is hurt bad" re
piled the newcomer. Wont one o. yer
come an see il sumthin' can't be did
fer him? He's in a bad way"
Taylor looked hard at the stranger.
He was apparently about 40 years old.
rather tall, a scar across his thin nose,
which made his eyes seem close to-
gether. 1t was not a face to inspire
confidence, but Dick Taylor had not the
slightest suspicion of danger as he
asked
''Who is the man and where did he
come from? What's the matter with
him?"
Hes sailor sort Of chap an his
horse throwed him, he says. Then his
pardner skipped off an left him ter kick
Their bucket alone"
AS the man spoke Taylor suddenly re-
membered his face.
Didn't I meet you not long ago on
this trail?" he demanded.
With a well-assumed air Of surprise
the man drew nearer and stared at him
a moment, then exclaimed:
fright yer are, stranger! Yer was
boun' fer Dyea afoot an l was comm
this way. Didn't know yer at first. Yes.
1 got long here an found this teller
most dead. l knocked up a sort Of
shanty in the bush an got him into it,
but he's dyin' sure's yer born"
whats his nance" asked Avery,
land who is he?"
"Says his names Rider. Obed-"
"Obed Rider!" cried Tom and the
second mate, simultaneously.
l.
the stranger, looking at them with we'll
feigned surprise.
"The scoundrel." cried Tom. jumping
from his horse. Come, Green, let's go
and see if it is really him!"
But Avery spoke up at this point and
said:
Hold on, boys! Don't go rushing off
like that! l don't take much stock in
this story. Suppose it is some sort Of
a trap? Remember what we are taking
with u.s."
"It's all right, boss" urged the new
conner. You needn't be scared o. one
man. This Rider begged me ter stay
with him an / hadn't Their heart ter
leave him. wouldn't leave dog ter
die in the bush alone. IL yer don't want
ter come, all right, but hoped yer was
men enuff fer that. I'm goin' back ter
him. He may be dead by this time"
where does your man say he's
from? ?" demanded Tom, his anger melt
ing away as he thought OF his enemy
dying miserably by himself in this will
derness.
HE says he's from Dyea. He had a
pardner named Buffers or some such
name. He's out OF his head sometimes
an goes on bout lot o. gold an how
some ones goin' ter git held up an sech
nonsense. Then he's got some papers
an all he thinks about when he sees 'em
is some gold mine an . chap named
Scott"
That settles til" cried Tom. "Come
on. Green, we'll CO."
Without waiting to hear another word
the man turned on his heel and led the
way among the stunted pines from
whence he had emerged. Tom and
Green followed him and the rest dis
mounted TO await their return.
sh-t w.tL throuuh 81. sc.ttar,r N