The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-13
Copyrighted 1898. by S. S. Mcclure Col


changes which the years had made in
each other. Many had passed since
they met, and as they stood there, look
ing into each others eyes, with the
light from the fire pickering upon their
rugged features, to each 1t seemed that
they were back in the old days, when
their blood vas hotter Ia now, and
their hair innocent of the gray with
which both heads were literally
sprinkled.
Taylor was the first to recover him
self, and he repeated:
Where is John? Didn't he"
Poor John is Dead interrupted the
other, sadly. HE died on the ship he
was coming on from Boston and was
buried at sea. This young man saved
him from drowning, but he was hurt
internally when he fell overheard and
never got over it."
John dead"
That was all, but the hands of the
two men gripped harder for a moment,
and both understood. No word Of
sympathy could have conveyed more
meaning.
Tarbox now stepped forward and
made his partner acquainted with the
other members Of the party. Then he
said:
It's too dark to try to get up to the
camp tonight. We shall have to stay
here till morning, Dick. There's a long
story to, tell, and I wish we were safe
out of sight now. Have you seen any
smoke before?"
Smoke? What do you mean? Who
would be doing that? All the people
who know our signal are here now"
mot by a long sight, they amt" was
the reply, as TarboN tried to pierce the
darkness about them, which was in
tense by this time.
What do you mean?"
"Well, it's a long story, Dick. In the
first place, we might as well get a bite
of supper, and then Scott here will tell
you all about his trip on the vessel and
what happened to him.. I'll finish the
yarn, and then you'll understand just
how the thing stands"
This was sound advice, and his part
ner made no objection, but he was
burning with Impotence, and could
hardly wait till the frugal repast was
swallowed. Then he exclaimed:
Now, let's have the story. There's a
good deal depending on 1t. Come,
Scett, f-e away:H
Tom at once began a detailed account
Of his acquaintance with the old miner,
and when he had concluded the story
Tarbox added his meeting with the two
men who had showed him the papers,
adding:
IF I'd ever suspected the truth, Dick,
I'd put a spoke in their wheel some
how. One of them is that tall scamp we
saw hustled out Of Ladue's. I didn't
recognize him at first, out when I saw
him tipping the wink to the sailor on
!, the sly, I began to smell a rat"
, but where are they?" burst out Tay-
lor, excitedly. You say they were
ahead Of us. Where are they noW?"
That's what makes me uneasy" re-
t piled his partner. 1--WE saw their tracks
back by the white cliff and they turned
off all fight. We We're too busy hurry
ing to look for them any more. I sup
pose they have got off the track some
how, but If they should see our fire
+ there might be u We must stand
a watch tonight. If we can get every
thing out Of sight before they get here
they'll never be the wiser. They can't
+ find US in a hundred years."
!, His partner evidently shared his I'M
: easiness, for he responded quickly:
Perhaps they won't, but we mustn't
take any chances. Pn take the first
! watch and o the second. We arc
- more used to this sort Of thing, you
: know. Well keep the fire down low
;, 1t isn't very cold"
:, The rest Of the party now retired
Avery and his daughter occupying one
tent and the three younger men the
other, while Dick Taylor lOosened his
a revolver in his belt, made sure tina
= each cartridge was in place, and theI
u took up his post in the dark shadow O:
q a huge rock where no ray of light could
betray his presence to a watcher.
Soon not a sound was to be heard bu
the low murmur of his companions
voices as they discussed the situation
then these died out, and a chorus o
y snores testified to the soundness o
/ their slunber.
"a Hour after hour passed until it wa
~ fully midnight. Then the miner en-
tered the tent where his partner wa
sleeping and laid his hand lightly o.
n his shoulder.
In an instant the sleeper was wild
N were outside.
,, 'Hear %anything?" asked Tarboz
"a softly.
NO." replied the other. but some
= how I feel uncomfortable. [ never ha
this feeling yet but what there wa
IS sure to be trouble ahead. 1 wish it wa
D. daylight. Keep out of sight as niue
in as you can, Joe. I didn't say much be
~ fore the rest, but I believe that scoun
e. drel we saw at Ladue's place woul
a. think nothing Of shooting a man in tn
IN back if he had In cause to do it. 1t
ne a pity this all happened, We Nigh
have all got as much as we Wante
ed before anyone found out about It. No
st there's no telling what may happen.
III Five minutes later he was ASLEEP
n Tarbox was standing sentry owe
ne the silent camp.
H. It was nearly daybreak when he II
I'd plenished the fire, for the air grew yer
if chilly. Soon a gray streak appeared
IS, the southeast. and as Tom came out
If his tent the sun was just rising ove
n, the rolliHg land over which they ha
Travelled the day before.
H. The rest Of the party We're SOC
ct awake, and Taylor said at once:
n st believe we lave not been seen we
but we must get out of sight befol
t. breakfast. Joe, urn the horses loo:
as and start them off. The rest Of US wi
ay begin to pack in the stuff"
He grasped a heavy package as l
spoke, and the others followed his e,
ample. When they reached the face
the cliff he paused and said, solemn.
II am going to show you a wonderf
~ secret. All / want is your word tn;
IT you will never reveal it until I give yc
permission? VIII you promise this
ed His three companions readily ga7
on their promise, and looked curious
about them.
as Their guide stepped up to the rocl
= IH. l.