The Red Cloud chief., 1902-09-26

back and he laid ~ a blanket In
front of the fire with the hermit by
his side.
The rascal named Morris came TO
the old mans side and said:
You said you could not give up
that secret II you wished
II did"
What do you mean?"
1T liz lost
Morris stared at him for 8 moment
with wide open eyes and gasped:
Il don't understand you, Cap; YOU
are talkin' in riddles
II care very little whether you un.
dcrstand IN or not" the old man de
family answered. THE secret Is lost.
II was written in cipher on a walrus
hide and the walrus hide Ia lost
II was some time before the idea
could get through the thick skulls OF
the ex.sailors. but when they came
TO fully comprehend the loss they
reared like madmen. Ned seized his
knot,ed stick and swore he would
brain them both. but his more cool
companion intcrfered, saying:
IT may all be a trick. After all II
may he only q trick to throw us on
the trail. II we decide for h old
cuss to pass In his checks, let 1t be
done deliberately and give him time
To reflect"
So Padgctt decided to let them live
and trust to some chance to reveal
the hiding place OF the money. Paul
had heard the above conversation be-
tween their captors and waiting for
an opportunity to speak with the her
nit when he would not be overheard
by them. whispered:
the one left in the cavern where you
took me?'
Yes"
Il took It."
"You?" There was an expression
on the old mans face almost fierce
as he asked the question.
Yes. | took IT,"
What did you do with it,
Gave IL to the miner who was with
me before | fell from the precipice and
whom | found after leaving the cav.
ern. He said he had seen II before"
"Whcre?'
The Indians who had enticed his
captain away In search of gold had
some such hide. only there had been
painting added to 1t since"
The hermit turned, and fixing his
great. earnest eyes on him in aston
ichment. asked:
His captain-had he been a sail
orr"
Yes, sir"
In what seas?"
Almost all over the world. but his
last voyage was in a sealing schooner
to- St. Paul Island, Alaska, and this
coast
"What was this sailors name?"
"He Is called old Glum."
mo other name?"
IL believe Glum Ralston Is hi
name. but after all his real name,
don't think, is known. In this cOun
try nearly everybody goes by some
nickname, and l fancy that Glum Raj
stOn was only a nickname"
Might have beer Jack Ralston."
We'll. since you mention It, | be
lieve | ono heard him say his rea
name was Jack Ralston; however,
will not be sure"
The hermit was very calm. Pau
waited a long time for him to answer
but the old man was silent as the
grave. Then two of their captors came
rea where they were sitting, ant
they dared not talk anymore.
Their journey was very painful ant
difficult. Grown desperate, Paul hat
determined to escape from their cap
tors even II he had to kill them.
One day they reached a great
gloomy cavern which extended to ar
unfathomable depth In the earth
Their captors had pine knots on the
wall about the cavern, and lighting
two Of these went back to WHERE
there were piles OF dead grass ant
a table OF stone on which lay a pacl
Of greasy cards. Here they took VI
their abode.
Several days passed, and then Nor
ris and Padgett left he cavern II
charge of Tom Ambrose, who tiet
the prisoners every night. established
a deadline in the cavern in daytime
and swore he would shoot the frs
n who attempted to cross II.
Two o r three weeks had elapsed, TO
in that dungeon night and day were
one, when the W men came bacl
and with them another whom Morris
seemed to have known. He intro
duced the newcomer to Tom Ambrose
as a friend fresh from San Francisco
Padgett took Paul to where thu
stranger sat on a musk OK hide ant
the latter asked:
is your name Paul Miller
1T is"
Are you from Fresno, California;
II am"
do you know Laura Kean?"
Il do; what Of her? His whole
frame was trembling with anxiety ant
emotion"
She is in Alaska. Just landed Z
few days ago at Juneau In company
with Mr.. Theodore Lakeland"