The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-01-24

II might as we'll tell you the truth.
You are a dying man"
Rider did not dispute him. Perhaps
with the approach Of death some warn
ing came to him, for he said in feeble
tones: s
Die! Yes, I feel that I've made my
last voyage. Call Scott here"
Tom came at once, and as he kne1t by
the dying man and gazed into his pale
face, upon which the shadow of death
was already beginning to settle, he for
got his long cherished vengeance and
said softly:
I'm here. Rider. I can guess what
you want to say. It's all right now.
Don't fret over what you've lone to
me. 1t doesn't matter. Can I do any
thing to make o any easier? Have
you n message to send to your
folks?"
Tell 'cm anything but, the TRUTH
said the dying man.. They mustn't
know what a bad end 1 came to. I
must tell you something while I can.
It's about your father"
My father!"
Tom drew closer to Tider and ex-
| claimed:
Quick! What do you .nean?" ~
Get me some brandy" whispered the
other. I'm getting faint" H
Tom darted off, and soon returned
with the stimulant which they had pro-
vided in case Of sickness. He adminis-
tered q small portion to the mate, who
revived at once and said: :
Don't interrupt me. l must be quick.
This wound is burning me up. Your
father got the Alaska fever and left his
ship at Frisco. He gave me all the
money that belonged to the owners to
take to them. I gambled it away To
hide my crime I said he ran away with
it. l saw him in Dyea-"
What"
Tom stared at him as If inclined to
think his mind was wandering, but the
mate went on:
He's rich. He's struck gold some
where, and was going home to find you.
He was wild when I told him you was
dead, and started off to Frisco to see
you was buried in good shape. That's
all, and it's enough, too."a
AS he uttered the last words he fell
back exhausted. Tom tried to give him
more Of the fiery liquor, BUT he could
not swallow it. His lips moved feebly
and his eyes were turned on Tom in
mute appeal.
II forgive you! Sod knows I do!'
whispered the young man huskily, and
a Hash Of joy on the dying mans face
told him that he was heard and under
STOOD. Then a single long-drawn
breath followed, and with it Obed Ri
der's earthly career ended.
There was no desire for sleep in the
little party that night. BY the light
or the camp fire a grave was dug n
the body of the unfortunate sailor
placed beyond the reach Of any wild
animals, and by the time this was done
the dawn was near
Avery dressed Bowers fingers to the
best OF his ability, the latter grinding
his teeth with pain and rage as he
realized how he had been ouIw1tted the
second time.
His partner, however. took the whole
matter as coolly as II he had not been
caught IN II act that might cost him
MS lie. He spoke but once, and that
was to ask one of his captors to ac-
commodate him With a chew of to-
bacco.
Wouldn't trouble yer, only yer've
tied my hands," he explained.
When 1t was fairly light a council
was held to determine what disposition
should be made of the prisoners. This
proved a somewhat difficult matter
take them to Dyea involved a vexatious
delay, for there were no horses Tor
them to ride, n to turn two such
desperate men loose seemed a danger
GUS thing to do. Moreover, they would
starVf without provisions.
After talking the matter over some
time without arriving at any conc1u-
sion, Taylor exclaimed, impatiently:
.aTsA Icy " DS r1ullS, JUL IUOnI {
Want4the job! We'd better give them
grub enough for a week or two and
turn them loose. We can't be bothered
with them!.,
His advice was agreed to by the rest
and the little outfit was It once pre-
pared. When they We're readySto start
he walked up to the two desperadoes
and said:
There's YOU grub. Take ii ndslight
out. l shall give a full description of
You to h authorities at Dyea and see
that 1t IS sent to Dawson. Somebody is
sure to hang you both before long
AS he spoke he cut their bonds and
then mounted his horse.
Half an hour later our friends were
well on their way, while the baff'ed rob-
bers We're trudging tediously along to-
ward Fort Selkirk in moody silence.
Their plots had failed, and here we
must leayeathem to their fate.
lit was a happy party that rode into
Dyea five days later. The capitalist was
eager to close his advantageous bar
gain, and he business was soon trans-
acted. Taylor received a draftffor $780,
GOO on responsible San francisco par
ties, and when the bags Of gold dust
had been safely deposited on board the
steamer all care was at an end.
Tt was h frsttnight out from Dyea
that Tom Scott found Avery alone on
the deck, n In a few manly words
declared hls owe for Clara, asking her
fathers permission to marry her
"What does h say?" asked the old
miner, soberly.
Tom blushed like q schoolgirl and re-
Piled: 5s5
Il haven't asked her yet.
The 40 1T. my lad. She's been the
boss this long time. Strikes me you're
pretty sure that she'll say to ask me
first, you rascal
BUTTON had already gone. and we
cannot follow him. Suffice it to say
that the other men saw but little Of him
for the rest of the voyage.
AT Seattle the party decided to re-
main a day In, order to procure more
snitakleseloth1ns.The went at once