Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-02-01
CHAPTER ".
wAYLAID AND ROBBED.

1lht lldOs OA NNtiN manu- mug
posters calling attention TO the SUI
perior merits OF some particular route
to the fields of gold and men of all
walks in life were straining every nerve
TO be among the first 10 reach the Iu-
kon with the advent of spring Several
steamers were loading at the piers, but
every inch of space on board had been
engaged months ahead. After consult
ing with Capt. Coffin he determined TO
go by rail to Seattle and trust 10 luck
to secure a passage from that port.
He made no mention of the singular
secret bestowed upon him by the old
miner, but frankly told the captain of
the money he had received from the
same source. and the latter promptly
gave him some good advice.
Better not be drifting round 'FriS
90 with all that stuff in your pocket"
he said. I've got good little safe
here and you're welcome To use il.
There's some desperate characters on
the water front here, and plenty Of EN-
would Kill man ten times over for half
your pile They've all got the gold
fever now. My second mate is going 10
leave me. He's got it, too Hope the
mate doesn't follow suit"
Tom was wise enough to listen TO the
warning and left the larger part Of his
money in the safe. but he kept the 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 time to secure
a ticket. After taking in the sights Of
the city during the afternoon he pro-
cured his supper in restaurant and de
cided 10 spend the evening at theatcr.
for ii must be remembered that he was
country reared and with few rare ex-
ceptions, when he had visited Boston,
thoater had been beyond his reach.
He thoroughly enjoyed the perform
ance and started down toward the wa
ter front when il was finished without
thought of any danger as he STROBE
rapidly along the well-lighted thor
oughfares. While he is thus engaged
let US take a look at Obed Rider, the vii
famous mate of the Seabird, and see
how his schemes are progressing.
While Tom was watching the foot
light favorites Obed Rider was sitting
in little drinking saloon near the
wharf where the Seabird had been
locked. Before him was a bottle Of
liquor and glance at his face was sufi-
Gent TO show that he had been indulg-
ing deeply. His small, bloodshot eyes
were fixed upon vacancy, and he was
apparently meditating deeply
Hell be off tomorrow" he NUT
tered, savagely, and then my chance is
gone. 1 must have those papers and
money enough 10 get an outfit. das-
sent get anyone TO lend me hand, for
then the cat would be out Of the bag.
If had that paper the old man give him
what's 10 hinder my going and. claim
ing to be Mr.. Scott? There's fortune
in it, but it's ugly business
Filling his glass again he drained it
at a gulp as if trying to screw up Lis
courage to the necessary point for some
resolve. Then he looked at his watch
and said:
Ten o'clock. No time to lose. First
20 see if he is 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 a narrow alley afforded. him Sc
cure hiding place. His right hand was
hidden in the pocket Of his coat, and
grasped a short implement made of
bone, which the sailors call "fd, and
which he had secured while on board
few moments before.
Under ordinary circumstances the
liquor he had imbibed would have con-
fused his brain, but now he was only
conscious Of an intense, overpowering
determination TO secure the papers
which meant so much to the man who
could reach the gold region with them.
There had been a smart shower in the
early part of the evening, and the drip
ing from the low caves of the houses
still continued. but had a dragging and
relenting sound. A solitary street light
80 yards away cast a dismal 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 jewellers making their
noisy way home.
The mate noticed none OF these
things. His eyes were fixed intently
in the direction from which he expect
ed his victim 10 come. and his square
jaws were set. Through his brain ran
but one thought:
The papers,
Half an hour passed and Tom came
striding along under the gaslight,
humming a tune and merrily rehears-
ing the play he had just witnessed
Suddenly the watcher uttered an i'm
precation under his breath, for just as
he was gathering himself for a spring
he cspied a dark figure stealing noise
lessly along behind the young man.
Closer and closer crept the fateful
shadow. and as Tom arrived opposite
the alley where the mate was crouch
ing, the latter saw the second figure
take a few rand noieelpee strides