The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-01-10
XIV.
AN uNHOLY

AAN 0ONAA -
When Hank Bowers read the derisive
message which ne had found in one of
the dummy bags of gold his rage vas
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 I live! Your gold
isn't safe in Dyea yet, my beauties. an
you needn't crow"
and scarcely spoke. to Rider again that
night. In the morning he made no ref
erence to the events 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 var.
That settled it. The strong liquor
wrought a marvellous change in his
cowardly heart, and soon both he and
his companion were oblivious 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 to place
his lust in safe keeping, retaining only
enough for the enjoyment Of his favor
lie dissipation.
made their way, drinking, fighting,
maudlin and quarreisome by turns, un-
til they both were unceremoniouSly
showed in a bare 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 marvelously, consider
Ing the amount of fiery liquor he alb
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. hen something happened
which might have been expected among
such g. collection Of adventures.
A reckless character who had been at
the camp long enough to spend his last
dollar M dispose of his outfit ror
drink, had taken notice of our two ras-
calls as they lounged about in the
drinking places, paying their way with
gold dust. AS they were APP lrently
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 one evening
Rider was helplessry intoxicated, and
Bowers had been indulging freely him.
SELF. He placed a little pouch contain
ing about $500 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 a pair OF
strong hands grasped his throat at the
same, moment, but the owner had nc
easy task to accomplish his object. The
realization Of his danger fully sobere6
Bowers, and with a stified curse he tore
the grip from his throat and gained his
feet by main strength.
1t was too dark to see his assailant
but Hank Bowers was no coward an6
instead of attempting to flee or call fol
hep. he grappled silently with the
WOGld-be robber.
It did not 8 long. Once his arms
were about his enemy, Bowers wal
master of the situation. Inch by inch
he bent the other back until human
endurance could bear no more, ant
with a groan the mans muscles re.
Taxed and he fell heavily with Bowers
on top of him.s
Struck atsnag that time, didn't yer?'
he demanded. grlmly, seating himself
on the others breast and holding hi.
wrists so that he could not draw {
weapon.
Let me UP, blast yer!" was the sui,
len reply as the man tried in vain t.
moVe
Want ter get up? All right, pard
Jest remember I've got a gun again yel
ribs. though, an If yer don't go al
quiet III let a hole through yer!"
AS he spoke he arose and allowed tn,
maj to do likewise, keeping a s1ou
grip on his collar. Then he said, stern
ly:
go on where I push yer. I want te
see yer face"
short walk brought them to tn,
tent where Rider and Bowers slept, an
into this the latter conducted his pris
oner and lit a candle.
The light showed the face of a ma
about 80 years. with an expression o
ferocity which was revolving, but Bow