The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-10-31
CHAPTER IL.
TOM MEETS AN OLD ENEMY.

CHAPTER II.
TOM MEETS AN OLD ENEMY.
When Tom Scott awoke the follow
ing morning MS side was stiff and sore,
but by the time he had dressed and
made his way downstairs he had al
most forgotten the wound in the real
ization of the fact that the way had
been miraculously opened for him to
reach the gold region.
He foun the old miner waiting for
him in the smoking ROOM, and as he
entered the latter arose and greeted
him heartily, saying:
Good morning, Scott. How is the
side today? Pretty sore, isn't 1t? Ny
headpiece lis rather tender, too, from
the clip 1 got, but they'll both have
Come on, let's get a good square meal
and then We'll go down to the vessel.
I hope she'll be ready to sail today.
All my stuff's been on board for a
week now. You'll want a few buds, too,
I dare say, for the trip"
After q hearty meal the two men pro-
ceeded to the wharf, and as they
reached the scene of the previous
nights struggle the elder man said,
quietly:
I'm never forget this place as long
Is 1 live. If those rascals had only
dreamed what 1 carried with me they'd
have finished their bloody work and I'd
have been down there"
AS he spoke he pointed significantly
toward the icy water In the dock n
then added:
1.-The money was nothing, but"
He broke off suddenly and led the
way in silence until they reachd the
vessel. where the captain, a grizzled old
salt, was pacing the deck and urging
the stevedores to greater efforts.
The Seabird was a trim built craft Of
about 600 tons. The cook was flying
about the deck in his white apron, the
second mate was hard at work below.
and as the wv men stepped on board
the captain said. cheerily:
Good morning, Mr.. Avery. We're
about ready, you see. The wind is fair.
and If nothing happens We'll be under
way by dinner time. The mate has
gone back on me and I've sent after
another man.
In a few words the miner informed
the old seadog of his adventure the pre-
ceding evening, adding:
This is Mr.. Thomas Scott, who saved
my life. II it hadn't been for him you'd
have sailed without me, and now you've
got to take him, too. He'll pay h same
as I do. and har my stateroom. Is Ut
a b%argain?"
Hes welcome" was the curt reply,
"as long as he's to bunk with you.
I've no other spare berth"
Good, exclaimed Avery. "Come on,
Scott, Well have to hurry up and get
your stuff"
Toms companion was an old traveller,
n knew exactly what was required
for the voyage. al we'll as where to OBJ
tain 1t, and when the tug came along
side at noon our hero had a well-filled
chest Of clothing below, and stood on
deck watching the operation Of getting
under way.
Make that hawser fast lively"
shouted a harsh voice near him. and.
Tom turned to see a short, thickset'
man, bustling about and cursing the
sailors %roundly. His face was turned
away, but there was something famil-
lar in his bearing, and Tom was won
dering at this when Captain Coffin
shouted:
Let the men get their dinner while
we are towing down, Mr.. Rider"
AYE, aye, sir"
Tom started as If he had been shot.
He saw the mate turn towards the poop
deck as he replied and there was no
installing his features. The red face,
belong to non other than Toms old
enemy, Obed Rider, who had brought
the story Of Captain SCOTS flight to
Merrivale. II my further proof was
needed, his broken nose, which added
to the responsiveness OF his appearance.
was noticeable at the first glance.
As he caught sight of Tom he stopped
as II rooted to the deck and uttered an
exclamation Of amazement, for the rec
ognition was mutual. Then an evil
light blazed in his eyes and he bounded
towards Tom, kissing through his set
teeth:
How came you aboard this craft?"
His fists were clenched, but he paused
before reaching striking distance. for
FOUR years had developed Tom Scott
from a lanky boy into a tall. muscular
man. and the same ~undaunted spirit
now looked boldly into the others eyes.
The captain and the old miner were
both below at the moment, the former
having gone to his dinner. after giving
his last order, and the chief officer stood
glaring at Tom like an enraged animal.
He had been shipped at the last mo-
ment and had no knowledge Of any pns-
sengers on board, supposing Tom must
have been engaged as q common sailor.
Whist are you doin, OF on hat quar-
ter deck?" he demanded. as Tom made
no reply tc his first question, Whats
the matter with you! Open your mouth
or III open It for you! What are you
doing heree 2.
None of your business" replied
Tom, finding his tongue at laAt.
I'll make It my business blamed
Quickl' cried b infurtated officer. his
eyes snapping as he thought Of the long
voyage ahead and his power to take his
revenge tenfold on one under his aus
|thority.
sect forward where you belong" he
shOuted.