The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-01-17

the night you sneaked into our cave!!,"
II dare say" wa the mocking re-I.
Spouse, as Bowers turned away, but
yer We're too big a fool! Iwish yer all
better luck next time yer strike 1t; rich.8
Come on boys. let's strike out for
Dyea. I'm in a hurry to blow in some
O. this dust"
The three men mounted their stolen
horses without further delay and hur-
ried away, leading the animals on
whose backs We're the fortunes OF u
friends.
Five minutes later they had disap-
peared in the direction of Dyea, and
the ~despoiled men We're being freed by
Clara Avery n a sharp, knife.
Tarbox's first act was to spring to his
feet, exclaiming:
"Stay here until 1 come back! I won't
be long!!"
AS he spoke he dashed off In the same
direction taken by the robbers. Half an
hour later he returned with his face
working strangely.
II thought sou he cried, at the Others
clustered about him. 1T was all a bluff
about going to Dyea! I smelt a rat as
soon as hat cuss toll US. 1t would be
too easy to trace them from there, and
they know 1t. They said 1t to get us to
go to Dyea while they made tracks for
Dawson n went round the other way
to Seattle. I 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
as we have nae time to get out of the
way" was the confident reply. "They
may think they can circle round us, but
I know this trail too well. They'll find
that out after awhile and then they'll
come back this way, thinking were
gone. It'll take 'em all day to do all
this, and I wouldn't be afraid to bet
that they camp here tonight. AT any
stick to the trail. You'll find I 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. I don't
know whether it's loaded or not. J. saw
it as we were coming out. Why not
hide here today, and If those men come
back and camp here tonight, as Tarbox
says they will, It's a pity If We can't
give them a dose of their own medi-
cine"
I'm with you'll cried Tarbox. It's
a famous plan. They will never for a
minute suspect such a thing!'
Count me in, tool" said Green, and
the others were equally as eager when
they understood the proposition.
Tom made his way at once to the hut
and secured the revolver he had seen
there. 1t was not loaded, but he placed
it in his belt, hoping to find some cart
ridges at the camp to fit 1t.
I'VE might as well have a bite to
eat" said the capitalist, whose name
was Seymour. IT haven't lost much,
and I confess that I am hungry. Miss
Avery, do you suppose you could give
us q cup Of coffee?"
There were plenty of provisions to be
had. and, In spite of their misfortunes.
they all ate a hearty breakfast. and
felt the better for it. When they had
finished, Tarbox said:
Nov we must get out Of sight and
keep q watch on the trail. l have no
idea they'll be along before late this
afternoon, but we'll take no chances.
This piece of woods runs SO miles In
the direction they're taking, and they
can't get through it. They'll give it up
by noon and start back, thinking we
are gone."