Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-01-16

talked of mining, and made no secret
of the fact that they had struck rich
spot and were returning with their
gold. while Turner professed intense
curiosity to know the spot in order that
he might hasten there as soon as he
Was relieved of his present care In the
shape of the sick man.
When the pipes We're empty he ac
cepted TarboN's offer and was soon APP
pareptly asleep, an example which was
followed by all but Taylor, who took
the first watch.
He was relieved by Tarbox, who in
turn aroused Avery, but the night
passed off without incident until dawn.
'farboX and Taylor were sound asleep
in the tent with the stranger. who now
raised himself quietly on his elbow and
listened.
The two men We're breathing heavily.
and mingled with their respirations
came the twittering Of bird outside.
Carefully lifting the edge OF the tent,
he peered outside.
Yes, daylight was coming First
came little motion of the air which
had been still before Then from n
bush near by was heard the chirp OF
a bird. The outlines of the forest be-
gan to be distingulshable where masses
had been.
IL was time to act. First he rolled up
the tent flap to provide retreat, then
With stealthy hand he removed the
wea pons from the belts of the sleepcrs
and stole outside with them.
Just then a thin red streak appeared
in the sky and Avery, who had been
leaning against tree near by, came
toward him, saying
you are up early?"
Yes" replied Turner. I'm gcin' ter
see how the poor Teller is gettin' on"
But Avery caught sight of the weap-
ons in his hands and his sspicions
We're at once aroused.
What are YOU doing with those re-
volvers?" he demanded. stepping to-
ward the other quickly and laying his
hand on the butt of his own weapon
Before Turner had time to reply
Hank Bowers and Obed Rider sprang
from behind a neighboring tree with u
weapon in each hand. The former
shouted:
Hands up.
Avery obeyed instantly aand Rider at
once disarmed him.
Turner sprang to the tent occupied
by the capitalist, and before the latter
was fairly awake he was disarmed and
helpless
The first shout had awakened Tar
box and Taylor. but without weapons
they could make no resistance. and in
less than two minutes from the first
sound the four men We're seated on the
ground, their feet secured with a rope,
while Clara Avery was bundled uncere-
moniously into one of the tents and
roughly ordered to stay there.
To attempt to describe the feelings of
the prisoners would be q hard task.
They We're like men stunned. The
whole thing had been accomplished SO
suddenly that they could hardly realize
it was not some fantastic dream.
Bowers and Turner wasted no time
After satisfying themselves that the
four men We're securely fastened they
began a once TO pack the gold on three
of the horses. In response to an order
from Bowers. Obcd Rider disappeared
In the woods, hut soon returned with
Tom and the second mate, their feet
having been released and the gags
taken from their faces.
Bidding Rider stand guard over the
party, Bowers gave his whole attention
to his own work, and in half an hour
the gold was strapped on the backs of
three horses, three more were saddled
for the robbers, While the remaining
pair was used to carry supply of food
and a tent
Realizing the nse!essness of words,
our friends watched these prepara-
lions in dismay. They we'll knew that
the thieves could reach Dyea and take
a steamer before their crime was
would he hopeless.
When he had packed all he desired to
carry Hank Bowers walked up to his
prisoners and sneercd:
Yer had the fust laff on me. but it's
my turn now, an l rather guess I've
got the hest end of 1t, hey?"
Seeing that they scorned to reply, he
went on:
Were off to Dyea. BY Their time yer
git thar We'll be some ways off on Their
water / don't need all this grub an
III leave yer plenty ter last Yer ter
Dyca yerselves. That's fair, amt it?
Yer wont need eny guns. This trail is
safe enuff, am there's no sech thing as
holdups hereabouts.
Avery could restrain himself no
longer
you dirty Theft he exclaimed. II
wish had put bullet into your head
the night you sneaked into our cave
II dare say" was the hooking re-
Spouse. as Bowers turned away, but
yer were too big fool. ! wish yer all
better luck next time yer strike 1t rich.
Come ON boys. lets strike out for
Dyea I'm i'm a hurry to blow in some
o. this dust
The three men mounted their stolen
horses without further delay and hur-
lied away, leading the animals on
whose backs We're the fortunes OF our
friends.
Five minutes later they he'd disap-
reared in the direction of Dyea, and
the despoiled men We're being freed by
Clara Avery and sharp knife.
I'arboxs first act was TO spring to his
feet. exclaiming:
stay here until come back, won't
lie long.
AS lie spoke he dashed off in the same
direction taken by the robbers. Half an
hour later he returned with his face
working strangely.
81 thought so.' he cried, at the others
clustered about him. ut was all bluff
about going to Dyea! smelt rat as
soon as that cuss told us. II would be
too easy to trace them from there, and
they know it, They said 1t to get US to
go to Dyea while they made tracks for
Dawson and went round the other way
To Seattle. l saw them leave the trail
and strike off to the right
Where will they strike the trail
again?" asked Tom. eagerly.
They'll come right back here as soon
es we have had time to get out of the
way" was the confident reply. They
may think they can circle round us, but
that out after awhile and then they'll
come back this way, thinking We're
gone. It'll take EN- all day to do all
this. and l wouldn't be afraid to bet
that they camp here tonight. AT any
rate, if they went to Dyea they would
stick to the trail. You'll find am
right"
Suppose we stay right here?" asked
Tom.
Stay here?''
Yes. Look here, there are only three
of them. Clara has got a revolver they
didn't know about. There's another in
the hut where they caught me. don't
know whether its loaded or not. 1 saw
1t as we We're coming out. Why not
hide here today, and IL those men come
back and camp here tonight, as Tarbox