Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-01-11
CHAPTER XIV.
AN UNHOLY

When Hank Bowers read the derisive
message which he had found in one of
the dummy bags OF gold his age was
frightful. Dashing his clenched fist
against his head like a mailman, he
fairly screamed:
TOO smart for me! Well see! I'll
have my revenge If 1 live! Your gold
isn't safe in Dyea yet. my beauties, an
you needn't crow"
Then he relapsed into sullen silence
and scarcely spoke to Rider again that
night. In the morning he made no ref
erence TO the vents of the night be-
fore, but led the way toward Dyea as
rapidly as his horse could carry him,
his head dropped, while Rider was In
wardly vowing to part company with
him as soon as they reached the mining
camp.
They met no one on the way, and
without accident reached Dyea late one
evening. Then Rider remembered that
he had no funds. He could not leave his
companion on that account, and while
he was hesitating how to extricate him
self from the dilemma Bowers invited
him to drink at the first par.
That settled It. The strong liquor
wrought q marvellous change in his
cowardly heart, and soon both he and
his companion were Obvious to every
thing but the fact that they had money
and liquor was TO be had for the price.
Knowing his own weakness, how
ever, Bowers had taken care 10 place
his dust In safe keeping, retaining only
enough for the enjoyment of his favor
lite dissipation.
From one resort TO another they
made their way, drinking, fighting,
maudlin and quarrelsome by turns, un-
til they both were unceremonlously
showed In a bare room back OF one of
the bars, utterly unconscious Of their
surroundings.
The next day they continued their
debauch, but Bowers was careful to
carry only enough dust to pay his way
from day to day. After the first night
he kept his head maryelously, consider
ing the amount Of fiery liquor he abb
sorbed, while Rider was no sooner sober
than he overdrank again.
Their days were q repetition OF each
other, and several times they narrow
ly escaped arrest by the vigilance COM
mittee. Then something happened
which might have been expected among
such a collection of adventures.
A reckless character who had been az
the camp long enough TO spend his last
dollar and dispose of his outfit for
drink, had taken notice Of our two ras-
calls as th9y loungcd about In the
drinking places, paying their way with
gold dust. AS they were apparently
drunk most of the time, he determined
to relieve them of some OF the wealth
they were spending so recklessly.
a few inquiries Informed him where
Bowers had deposited his source of sup
plies, and he watched until the miner
went for a fresh portion M evening.
Rider was helplessly intoxicated, and
Bowers had been INDUCING freely him
self. He placed a little pouch contain
ing about 5000 In dust in his pocket.
and reeled out in the darkness without
the faintest thought Of danger.
A heavy blow behind the ear sudden
ly sent him TO his knees, and q pair of
strong hands grasped his throat at the
same moment, but the owner had no
easy task to accomplish his object. The
Bowers. and with a stined curse he tore
the grip from his throat and gained his
feet by main strength.
IT was too dark TO see his aSsailant,
but Hank Bowers was no coward, and
instead Of attempting to flee or call for
help, he grappled silently with the
w0uld-be robSRr.
1t did not last lag. Once his arms
were about his enemy, Bowers was
master Of the situation. Inch by inch
he bent the other back until human
endurance could bear no more, and
with q groan the mans muscles re-
Taxed and he fell heavily with Bowers
on top Of him.
Struck a snag that time, didn't yer?''
he demanded, grimly, seating himself
on the others breast and holding his
wrists so that he could not draw q
weapon.
Let me up, blast yer!" was the sui
len reply as the man tried in vain to
move
Want ter get up? All right, pard.
Jest remember I've got a gun again yer
ribs, though, IN II yer don't go all
quiet I'll let a hole through yer!"
AS he spoke he arose and allowed the
man to do likewise, keeping a stout
grip on his collar. Then he said. stern
ly:
go or where 1 push yer. 1 want ter
see yer face"
A. short walk brought them to the
tent where Rider and Bowers slept, and
into this the latter conducted his pris-
oner and lit a candle.
The light showed the face of q mar
about 80 years, with an expression of
ferocity which was revolving, but Bow
ers surveyed 1t with satisfaction as he
asked:
well, Mr.. Man, what made yer
tackle me? Hard up?"
Yes"
The fellow gazed at him unlinching-
ly as he spoke.
II s'pose yer know 1 could come
pretty near hevin' yer hung fer this
job2"
do 1t, d yer, an don't talk about
It," was the prompt reply.
Bowers released his grip, produced a
bottle Of liquor from his pocket and
held 1t toward his companion, saying:
Take a drink. You're "a man after
my own heart, you be. You an I kin
do business, / guess. How would yer
like ter lay yer paws on a couple o
hundred thou. all in dust an nuggets?'
Whats that yer saying?" replied