Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-01-18
Race for Gold
A New Enslander's ~sT3
Adventures in Alaskar Sse. = =: b EosNsoN@
Copyrighted 1919. by S. s Mcclure Col

an old ~cherrywood pipe and lighted ii,
while Tarbox threw on an armful of
| sticks and made a cheerful blaze. They
talked of mining, and made no secret
OF the fact that they had struck a rich
spot and were returning with their
gold, while Turner professed intense
curiosity to n the spot in order that
he might hasten there as soon as he
was relieved of his present care in the
shape of the sick man.
When the pipes were empty he &C
copied Tarbox's offer and was soon ap-
parently asleep, an example which was
followed by all but Taylor, who took
the first watch.
He was relieved by Tarbox, who in
turn aroused Avery, but the night
passed off without incident until dawn.
Tarbox and Taylor were sound asleep
In the tent with the stranger, who now
raised himself quietly on his elbow and
listened.
The two men were breathing heavily,
and mingled with their respirations
came the twittering Of a bird outside.
Carefully lifting the edge of the tent,
he peered outside.
Yes. daylight was coming. First
came a little motion of the air which
had been still before. Then from a
bush near by was heard the chirp OF
a bird. The outlines Of the forest be-
gan to be distinguishable where masses
had been.
the tent flap to provide a retreat, then
with stealthy hand he removed the
from the belts of the sleepers
and stole outside with them.
Just then a thin red streak appeared
in the sky, and Avery, who had been
leaning against a tree near by, came
toward him, sayings
You are up early?"
Yes" replied Turner. I'm goin' ter
see how the poor Teller is gettin' on"
But Avery caught sight Of TIE weap-
ons in his hands and his s=spicions
were at once aroused.
What are you doing with those re-
volvers?" he demanded, stepping to-
ward the other quickly and laying his
hand on the butt OF his own weapon.
Before Turner had time to reply
Hank Bowers and Obed Rider sprang
from behind a n~eighboring tree with a
weapon in each hand. The former
shouted:
Hands up!'
Avery obeyed instantly aand Rider at
once disarmed him.
Turner sprang to the tent occupied
by the capitalist, and before the latter
was fairly awake he was disarmed and
helpless.
The first shout had awakened Tar
box and Taylor, but without Weapons
they could make no resistance, and in
less than two minutes from the first
sound the four men were seated on the
ground, their feet secured with a rope,
while Clara Avery was bundled uncere-
moniously into one Of the tents ana
roughly ordered to stay there.
To attempt to describe the feelings OF
the prisoners would be n hard task.
They were like men stunned. The
whole thing had been accomplished so
suddenly that they could hardly realize
It was not some fantastic dream.
Bowers and Turner wasted no time.
After satisfying themselves that the
four men were securely fastened they
began at once to pack the gold on three
Of the horses. In response to an order
from Bowers, Died Rider disappeared
in the woods, but soon returned with
Tom and the second mate, their feet
having been released and the gags
taken from their faces.
Bidding Rider stand guard over the
party, Bowers gave his whole attention
to his W work, and in half ar hour
the gold was strapped on the backs OF
three horses, three more were saddled
for the robbers, while the remaining
pair was used TO carry a suppiy or 1000
and q tent.
Realizing the uselessness Of words,
OUT lIleIuB NdllltGu lIISc IiNDdl" u
tons in dismay. They well knew that
the thieves could reach pyea and take
a steamer before their crime was
known, for without horses pursuit
would be hopeless.
When he had packed all he desired to
carry, Hank Bowers walked up 10 his
prisoners and sneered:
Yer had the fust laff on me, but it's
my turn now, an l rather guess I've
,.4 a., hast np1 Of II hnU2'
Seeing that they scorned to reply, he
went on:
We're off to Dyea. BY ther time yer
cit thar Wen be some ways off on Their
water. / don't need all this grub, an
I'll leave yer plenty ter last yer ter
Dyea yerselves. That's fair, amt It?
Yer won't need eny guns. This trail is
safe enuff, an there's no sech thing as
holdups h~ereabouts.'
Avery could restrain himself no
longer.
You dirty thief" he exclaimed. Il
wish / had put a bullet into your head
the night you sneaked into our cave"
II dare say" was the hooking re-
Spouse, as Bowers turned away but
yer were too big a fool! l wish yer all
better luck next time yer strike IT rich.
Come on boys, let's strike out for
Dyea. In 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 were the fortunes OF u
friends.
Five minutes later they had disap-
peared in the direction of Dyea, and
the despoiled men were being freed by
Clara Avery and a sharp knife.
TarboX's first act was to spring to his
feet. eXClaiming:
stay here until / 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 sol" he cried, at the others
clustered about him. 1T was all a bluff
about going to Dyea! l smelt a rat as
soon as hat cuss told us. 1t would be
too easy to trace them from there, and
they know It. They said IT to get us to
go to Dyea while they made tracks for
Dawson and went round the other way
to Seattle. ] 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 o
as we have had time to get out of the
way" was the confident reply. They
may think they can circle round us, but
l know this trail too well. They'll find
that out after awhile and hen they'll
come back this way, thinking we're
gone. Itll take EN- all day to do all
this, n l wouldn't be afraid to bet
that they camp here tonight. At any
rate, If they vent to Dyea they would
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 q revolver they
didn't know about. There's another In
the nut where they caught me. 1 don't
know whether it's loaded or not. / say
1t as we were coming out. Why not
bida bara today opd ~ thoSa man Gonna