Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-03-01
CHAPTER VIII.
ON THE DALTON TRAIL.


Tom repeated the story Of his acquaint-
ance with the old miner, touching as
lightly as possible on the two occa-
sions in which he had risked his own
life, but a pair Of blue eyes were fixed
upon him all the while. and the girls
face showed that she fully appreciated
and admired his daring.
Her ,ather made but few Interrupt
tions until Tom described the deathbed
scene, and then he said:
Have YOU the papers MOVE"
"No," replied Tom, but l know them
by heart. | was waylaid and robbed
in San Francisco. See, here is the scar"
As he spoke he bent his head, and
then went on:
eve have reason TO believe the mate
of the vessel. man named Rider, heard
what your brother said to me when he
was dying and that he was the rascal
who nearly killed me and took the
papers. lie disappeared, and we think
he came here and started up the trail
TO pass himself off as the rightful OWL
er Of the will. He has had long start.
and may be there before this
Avery was silent for a moment. and
then he said. frankly:
II don't want 10 doubt your WORD.
Scott, but | must take every precau-
ton. Before admit anything, tell me
what the letter to John said, and what
it was signed"
Tom promptly complied, and appar-
emily convinced the other, for he eX-
tended his hand eNclaiming:
ITS all right, and YOU shall have
Johns share if can helpyou. Shall We
go on together? l have been waiting
here a week in hopes 10 run across Tar
box. He was coming down after sup
plies this month"
81 think we'd better start at once"
said Tom. I'VE may meet him. and be-
sides ! feel sure the mate is there some
where"
Would YOU know this man Tarbox if
you saw him." added Tom.
"No," was the reply. Hes new
partner Taylor has picked up out here
"Do you know Taylor"
80, yes, We were all out together in
the California mines in the sos. Poor
John was one Of Us. Dick Taylor loved
him as though he'd been his brother.
too. tn be sad news for him TO hear
your story"
1t was late that light when Tom and
Green returned 10 their tent. 1t had
been decided 10 make sure that the
man had not arrived from the mine,
and, should they be unable TO hear of
him, they were to start on the day fol-
lowing
The sailor threw himself down on his
bed of boughs and was asleep almost in
stantly, but Tom Scott could see a pair
of blue eyes when his own were tightly
shut. His dreams that night were a
sad tumble Of gold mines and fair dam
sells in distress, and he awoke but little
refreshed.
The day was spent in quiet but
fruitless inquiries for the man they
sought, and the following morning a
little Caravan filed away from the har-
Dor toward the wild northern country.
ION led the way on his horse, the pack
horses came next, Avery and his daugh-
ter followed and Green brought up the
rear.
The Dalton trail is over an undulat-
ing country all the way TO Fort Selkirk
and can easily be travelled on horse back
the entire distance Of some 375 miles.
which relieved our travellers of the hard
ships attendant upon the other trails,
and it was with light heart that Tom
looked back over the well-ftted string
of animals and exclaimed:
IF we can only meet the man from
the mine we shall be in luck! We have
provisions enough for all hands,"
He would not have felt so happy could
be have known that at that moment
the man he mentioned was seated by
campfire with Rider and his companion
reading John Avery s. will and the letter
written by Dick Taylor.
Leaving Tom and his party fairly on
their way, we must return to Obed
Rider and his new friend, who were
pushing forward as fast as possible.
Their undue haste the first day had
proved disastrous for one of their pack
horses had gone lame, and they were
obliged TO abandon il or go into camp.
They chose the former, dividing its bur |
den among the others as best they
could.
The second night found them many
miles on their journey, but as night
came on the weary beasts could hardly |
be forced ahead, and Hank Bowers
cursed the delay roundly.
I'VE might as well stop here" he
growled at last, after helping one Of the |
horses 10 regain it's feet after STUN |
bling. Get them packs off, will yer.
while / see about the fire. I'm as hun |
CRY as a shark"
The tent was soon set up, and after
supper was disposed Of and pipes light
ed he said:
"See here, Rider, let's have sort o.
understanding bout this job. 'Spose we
meet this man Tarbox, then what? |
We've got ter have our yarns so they'll |
agree. / guess now is a good time ter
fix it up. You don't want ter forget