Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-03-01

part of it,
Rider nodded, and the other went on:
I've been thinkin' this out an I've
come ter the conclusion that we must
pump him about how ter get ter the
place where the gold is an let him go
on ter Dyea after his grub. He won't
lev enough stuff with him to make il
with our while to stop him. Sec?"
After a pause ne continued:
well keep on and find this other
Teller what sent the letter They 'vegot
big pile all dug by this time, and we
must hey it. He'll drop out o. sight"
Riders face showed that he did not
understand the others meaning, and
the miner repeated:
Hell Git of the earth! Understand?
Then when we hev the place all ter our
selves. Mr.. TarboX viii come back with
a lot Of grub. Wen tell him hisp ard got
starved out afore we reached the place
an took their stuff with him. He'll
never know the odds. and if he does
make any trouble. there's a mighty
quick way Of stopping his mouth"
A. he spoke he dropped his hand sig
uificaUtly a. the butt Of the heavy re-
volver at his hip and his face took
on such an evil look that the mate;
blood ran cold in his veins. He began
10 feel decidedly uneasy in This mans
company. What assurance had he that
this INSCRIPTIONS ruflian would not
treat him in the same manner after his
ends were served?
As if reading his thoughts Bowers
laughed hoarsely, and exclaimed:
"What's the matter, Rider? 'Fraid
III 60 back on yer? Don't worry as
long as Yer use me on the square. III
stick ter yer, but yer too chicken heart
ed for a job like this"
The day had been very warm and
sunny. for summer comes all at once in
this part of the country. They had
built small fire 10 make their coffee.
and were lying in their tent where they
could command quite view of the trail
ahead. 1t was still light, and as the
speaker glanced carelessly over the val
ley in which they had halted he uttered
a sharp exclamation and sprang 10 his
feet.
"Thar's something movin over thar"
he said quickly, shading his eyes with
his hand as if TO aid his vision. It's
man an he's afoot, headin' fer our
fire. jest as sure's yer born! Ten dollars
ter one it's our man! Remember you're
Mister Tom Scott, and don't make
mess Of it,"
Rider soon saw a dark figure drawing
near them, and when it was but a few
rods away q mans voice shouted:
Hello, there!"
"Hello!" responded Bowers, stepping
from the tent.
The stranger came rapidly toward |
him, and there was light enough TO re-
veal powerfully-bu man of middle
age, who wore small pack on his |
back and carried a serviceable looking |
revolver at his belt. His beard was !
long and unkempt, but he walked with
a long, swinging step, which told Of
unimpaired vigor.
When he reached the tent he looked |
sharply at the two men. AS his eyes
rested upon Riders companion a puz-
zled look came into them for an instant,
but he said, heartily:
Hello, mates, which way are you
bound?"
up this way" replied Bowers, jerk
ing his thumb in the direction from
which the stranger had appeared.
Going up the Yukon wsy?"
"Not quite"
The man looked a bit uneasy, but
Bowers, who had been watching his
face closely, now said:
Dump yer load, pardner, an camp
long with us. We've got some prime
coffee an bacon, an them Goals is jest
right ter cook on. We've fed, but yer
welcome. If yer jest in from long
tramp l dare say as yer kinder low on
grub"
Without waiting for a reply he seized
The coffee pot and set to work in a way
which showed he was no novice.
The stranger laid aside his pack, and
was soon eating with a relish, which
did justice to his hosts supposition.
When he could eat no more Bowers
said
Got any tobacco?"
Haven't had a smoke for a month"
was the reply.
That's tough! Here's a pipe. Join
us"
His manner was so cordial and frank
that Rider looked at him in wonder.
The stranger eagerly accepted the pipe,
and for few moments sat in silence,
drawing huge puffs of the fragrant
weed with an enjoyment which fairly
spoke for itself.
Suddenly Riders companion slapped
his thigh as though he had just
thought Of something wonderful, and,
turning to the mate with look of
exclaimed:
by thunder, Scott, you don't sup
pose this is"
He stopped in the middle OF the SEN
tence and looked searchingly at the
stranger, then continues:
ut would be funny, wouldn't IL,
Scott IL we had IN Of him ont heref Won