Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-01-18

b shanty In the bush an got him into
II. but he's dyin' sure's yer born"
Whats his manner" asked Avery,
land who Is he ?"
"Says his names Rider. Obed-"
"Obed Rider!'' cried Tom and the
second mate. simultaneously.
That's 1t! Dyer know him?" asked
the stranger, looking at them with
well -feigned surprise.
"Thc scoundrel!' cried Tom. jumping
from his horse. Come, Green, let's go
and see IL It is really him!"
But Avery spoke up at this point and
said:
Hold on, boys! Don't go rushing off
like that! / don't take much stock In
this story. Suppose II is some sort OF
a trap? Remember what we are taking
with u.s."
ITS all right, boss" urged the new
conner. You needn't be scared o. one
man. This Rider begged me ter stay
with him' an l hadn't Their heart ter
leave him. / wouldn't leave a dog ter
die In the bush alone. II yer don't want
ter come. all right, but / hoped yer was
men huff fer that. I'm goin' back ter
him. He may be dead by this time"
Where does your man says he's
from" demanded Tom, his anger melt
ing away as nj thought OF his enemy
dying miserablS by himself In this will
derness.
"He says he's from Dyea. He had o
pardner named Buffers or some such
name. He's out Of his head sometimes
an goes on bout a lot o gold an how
some ones goin' ter git held up an
sech nonsense. Then he's got some pa
pers an all he thinks about when he
sees EN- is some gold mine an a chap
named Scott"
THAT settles IT," cried Tom. come
on, Green, Wen CO."
Without waiting to near another word
the man turned on his heel and led the
way among the stuntcd pines from
whence he had emerged. Tom and
Green followed him and the rest dis
mounted to await their return.
A short walk through the scattering
trees brought the three men to the
close columns Of the main forest, and
soon Tom saw what appeared to be a
confirmation OF the mans story, for In
O little opening toward which they
were directing their steps he could dis
tinguish the outlines OF a hut.
This Is the place" said the guido, as
they cached the entrance. Come In"
Tom was right at his heels and fol-
lowed him without hesitation. 1t was
now growing dark, and at first he could
not distinguish objects distinctly, but
gradually he became accustomed to
the semi-light and saw n mans form
stretched on the ground In one corner
OF the interior, while q deep groan came
from the spot.
Hank Bowers had altered his plans
somewhat since first outlining them, for
q faint voice said:
"Who is 1t, Turner2'
There was no mistaking the voice.
Both Tom and the second mate recog-
nized II instantly as belonging to the
mate of the Seabird. Tom stepped
quickly to his side and bent over him,
saying:
TITS Tom Scott, the man you robbed
and nearly killed"
tom Scott"
Rider seemed to raise himself on his
elbow by 2 great effort and whispered:
Thank heaven! Here! Take the pa
pers stole! | didn't hit you! IT was
some one else. | did rob you, though.
Here, take them an say yer forgive
mel"
without any suspicion Of danger
Tom bent cUmp~assionately over the
form OF the recum,bent man 10 TAX the
his belt. A hand had withdrawn IT
from behind. 1t was the hand of the
guide.
Tom Strengthened up and turned
sharply to find the muzzle OF a revolver
within an inch Of his face, while at the
same instant Hank Bowers appeared In
the doorway and covered the second
mate with a weapon, saying sharply:
Hands up! If yer move, yer dead
men,
1t is needless TO say that both Tom
and Green did as they were bid. 1t was
madness to attempt resistance, for not
only was there something In the mans
tone that showed he was In earnest,
but a third reason presented itself in
the shape Of a weapon In the hand Of
Rider, whose face wore an expression
of devilish triumph at seeing Toms pale
face.
What do you want Of us?' demand
ed Green, who was the first to find his
tongue.
I'VE want you" was the prompt re-
ply. "Then we want the rest of the
party, an we may as well take In their
lust while we're about It. Turner,
take them guns away from EN-, an
see they hain't got none out er sight"
This was done, and he added:
Here, Rider, tie 'em up, hand IN
foot. You ought ter be handy at max
In knots that Won't slip, seem as yer
n sailor"
A rope which had evidently been pre-
pared for the occasion, vas produced
and cut into requisite lengths, after
which Rider bound both prisoners Sc
curely and rolled them helpless into
the corner Of the hut, completing his
work by tieing pieces OF blanket over
their mouths In such a way that while
they could breathe they could not give
an alarm if SO disposed.
All this was accomplished much
quicker than it takes TO tell. It, and in
less than five minute from the time
Tom and his friends crossed the thresh-
old of the hut they were bound and
helpless prisoners, while Hank Bowers
and his two partners were congratulate
ing themselves On the outset at the
complete success of their scheme.
1t was now so dark that they knew
the party must camp for the night
where il was. That search would be
made soon for the missing men was
more than probable, and, after q short
consultation they concealed them
selves near the hut and waited.
Deeper and deeper fell the shadows,
until at length they were forced to the
conclusion that the miners had taken
the alarm.
'Ill try again." said Turner, at last.
1T won't do to hev them suspectin'
anythin' has happened ter them chaps.
I'll go out ter where they are an say
the two young fellers know Their sick
mar an is goin' ter stay by hin ter
night, Then I'll allow it's too dark ter
fin my way bach ter the hut, or ther
amt room fer so many In 1t. Jest as It
gets light enuff ter see o an Rider
kin come down on VI an hold the gang
up with yer guns. I'll git behind 'em,
an we've got 'em then"
Good" whispered Bowers, admir-
ingly. That's a great scheme!"
And 1t was. When Turner appeared
at the camp and told his story no n
had any suspicion that II was false.
The men were all familiar with Toms
story, and 1t did not seem unnatural
that he should be charitable enough to
remain by a dying man, ever though
1t was an enemy. The tents had been
pitched. A cheerful fire built near by,
and Clara Avery was tripping lightly
about to prepare the evening meal,
while the men attended to the horses
and their precious burdens.
IL there had been any uneaSinesS In