The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-01-17
"A Race for Gold
A New Enslander's -BT@ ]
adventures in Alaskase I CAPT ! q RoSsso . j
Alaska~

his way. Didn't know yer at first.
Yes; I got long here an found this fell
Ter most dead. / knocked up a sort of
a shanty IN the bush an got him into
it. but he's dyin' sure's yer BORN"
whats his name?" asked Avery,
"and who is hep"
Says his names Rider. Obed-"%
"Obed Rider!' cried Tom n the
second mate, simultaneously.
That's it,. Dyer know him?" asked
the stranger looking at them with
well-feigned surprise.
The scoundrel!" cried Tom, jumping
from his horse. Come. Green, let's go
and see ifit is really him!"
But Avery spoke up at his point and
said:
Hold on, boys! Don't go rushing off
like that! I don't take much stock in
this story. Suppose 1T 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. n
man. This Rider begged me ter stay
with him an 1 hadn't Their heart ter
leave h!m. I wouldn't leave a dog ter
die in the bush alone. If yer don't want
ter come, all right. but I hoped yer was
men enuff fer that. I'm goin' back ter
him. He may be dead by his time"
Where does your man says he's
from?' demanded Tom, his anger melt
ing away as he thought of his enemy
dying miserably by himself In this will
d%erness. VIII,
He a Y he's from Dyea. He had a
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 'em is some gold mine an a chap
named Scott"
THAT settles it!' cried Tom. Come
on, Green, we'l 60"
Without waiting to hear another word
the mar turned on his heel and led the
way among the stunted pines from
whence he had emerged. Tom and
Green followed him Il 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
2 little opening toward which they
were directing their steps he could dis
tinguish the outlines Of a hut.
This is the place." said the guide. as
they reached the entrance. Come In"
Tom was right at this 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 a mans form
stretched on the ground in one corner
Of the Interior, while a deep groan came
from the spot. &5D. L
Hank Bowers had altered his plans
somewhat since first outlining them. for
a faint voice said:
who Is 1t, Turner
There was no mistaking the voice
Both Tom and the second mate recog-
i I I go ~ ~ n IN the
mate Of the Seabird. Tom stepped
quickly to his side and bent over him
saying: ~
"It's Tom Scott. the man you robbed
and nearly killed"
"Tom Scott" ~ s
Rider seemed to raise himself on hi
elbow by a great effort and whispered
THANK heaven! Here! Take the pa,
pers I stole! 1 didn't hit you! 1t wal
some one else. I did rob you. though
Here, take them an say yer forgivt
met"
Without any suspicion Of dangel
Tom bent compassionately over tn,
form of the recumbent man to take tn
papers, when he felt his pistol slip r
his belt. A hand had withdrawn /
from behind. 1t vas the hand of tn
guide.
Tom Strengthened up and turned
sharply to find the muzzle Of a revolve
within an inch Of his face, while at tn
same instant Hank Bowers appeared II
the doorway and covered the secon'
mate with a weapon. saying sharply:
Hands up! If yer move, yer dea'
men," ~
. 1t is needless to say that both Tor
and Green did as they were bid. 1t wa
madness to attempt resistance, for no
only was there something in the man
tone that showed he was in earnest
H,,t n % +Air1 -,ao Son nraaanfa6 itself l
the shape Of a weapon in the hand G
Rider, whose face wore an expressio
of devilish triumph at seeing Toms pal
face.
) What do you want of us?" demand
ed Green, who was the first to find hi
tongue.
: 1--WE want you," was the prompt re
ply. "Then we want the rest of tn
party, an we may as we'll take in the
! dust while we're about 1t. Turne
take them guns away from 'em, al
h see they hain't got none out er sight.
i This was done, and he added:
Here Rider, tie 'em up, hand al
foot. You ought ter be handy at NAL
in knots that won't slip, seem as We
a sailor"
. A O which had evidently been pre-
pared for the occasion, was produce
and cut into requisite lengths, afte
which Rider bound both prisoners 81
curely and rolled them helpless int
the corner of the hut, completing h
h work by tieing pieces OF blanket owe
: their mouths In such a way that viii
q they could breathe they could not g1I
an alarm if so disposed.
a All this was accomplished muc
q quicker thar it takes to tell it, n
less han five minutes from the tin
q Tom and his friends crossed the thresl
old of the hut they were bound ar
helpless prisoners, while Hank Bowel
and his two partners were congratula
ing themselves on the outset at tt