The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-11-08

There's some desperate characters on
the water front here. and plenty Of 'em
would kill a man ten times over for half
your pile. They've got the gold fever
now. My second mate is going to leave
He's rot it, too. Hope the mate
doesn't follow suit"
Tom was wise enough to listen to the
warming and left h larger part OF MS
IN the safe, but he kept m
two precious papers in his money belt,
a proceeding which he was to- regret
very soon.
He found there was a special excur-
sion advertised to leave the following
morning, and was just In lint to Sc
cure a ticket. After taking in the sights
of the city during the afternoon he pro-
cured his supper in a restaurant and
decided to spend the evening at a
theater, for 1t must be remembered
he vas country reared and with
few rare exceptions. when he had Wis
tied Boston, a theater had been be-
yond his reach.
He thoroughly enjoyed the perform
ance md started down toward h wa
ter front when It was finished without
a thought Of any danger as he strobe,
rapidly along the w~ell-lighted thor
oughfares. While he Is thus engaged
let US take q look at Obed Rider, the
villanious mate of the Seabird, n see
how his schemes are progressing.
While Tom was watching the foot
light favorites Obed Rider was sitting
In q little drinking saloon near h
wharf where the Seabird a been
locked. Before him was a bottle of
liquor and a glance at his face was
sufficient to show that he had been IN
dulging deeply. His small, bloodshot
eyes were fixed upon vacancy, and he
was apparently meditating deeply.
Hell be off tomorrow" he NUT
tered, savagely, land then my chance
is gone. I must have those papers and
money enough to get an outfit. ! das-
sent get anyone to lend a hand, for
then the cat would be out OF the bag.
II I had that paper h old man give
him what's to hinder my going and
claiming to be Mr.. Scott? There's q
fortune In 1t, but it's ugly business"
Filling his glass again he drained 1t
at a gulp as If trying to screw up his
courage to the necessary point for
some resolve. Then lie looked at his
watch and said:
Ter O'Clock. No time to lose. First
to see II he g on board yet"
Five minutes later he was back
again. Tom had not returned, and
Rider gulped down another draught of
fiery liquor and then skulked up the
street until he came to the darkest
portion, where q narrow alley afforded
him a secure hiding place. His right
hand was hidden in the pocket of his
coat. and grasped q short implement
made Of bone, which the sailors call q
I'D" and which he had secured while
on board a few moments before.
Under ordinary circumstances the
liquor he had imbibed would have con-
fused his brain, but o he was only
conscious of an intense, overpoWering
determination to secure the papers
which meant go much to the man who
could reach the gold region with them.
the early part. of the evening. and the
dripping from the low caves or he
houses still continued. but had a drag
cling and relenting sound. A solitary
street light fifty yards away cast q dis
NAL CLEAN for a few square yards in
either direction, while an occasional
burst. of drunken laughter from the
next street told Of some party of revel-
ers making their noisy way home.
The mate noticed zone of these
things. His eyes were fixed intently in
the direction from which he expected
his victim to come, and his square jaws
were set. Through his brain an but
one thought:
The papers!"
Half an hour passed and Tom came
striding along under the gaslight,
humming q tune and merrily rehears-
ing the play he had Just witnessed.
Suddenly the watcher uttered an im-
5~precation under his breath. for just as
he was gathering himself for a spring
he espied q dark figure stealing nOise-
lessly along behind the young man.
Closer and closer crept HI fateful
shadow, md as Tom arrived opposite
the alley where the mate was crouch
ing, the latter saw the second figure
take q few rapid. noiseless strides.
Then an arm was raised over TOMS
head and fell with crushing force, send
ing him stunned and senseless to the
muddy pavement, while his a~ssailant
bent over his form to secure the valu-
ables he might have about him.
With q shout Of rage the mate rushed
from hts place Of concealment toward
the stranger. who sprang nimbly to his
feet and sped down the street at amaz-
ing speed. without waiting 20 dispute
the field with the newcomer.
To kneel by the PROSTATE form and
tear open his clothing was the work of
an instant. and when Obed Rider arose
to his feet he held the belt containing
the precious documents in his hands.
Slipping 1t quickly into his. pocket he
gave q hasty glance about him. All
was still and once more he knelt by
TOMS side, painting.
"Is he dead? I must be sure!,'
In mi hand he grasped his weapon
and the other he placed over the young
mans heart.
lContinued Next Week,
sUrEHIoklTYo OF wonEx.