Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-24

to feel decidedly uneasy in this mans
company. What assurance had he that
this INSCRIPTIONS ruffian would not
ends were served?
As if reading his thoughts Bowers
laughed hoarsely, and exclaimed:
What's the matter, Rider? 'Fraid
I'll go back on yer? Don't worry as
long as yer use me on the square. I'll
stick ter yer, but yer too chicken heart
ed for job like this"
The day had been very warm and
sunny, for summer comes all at once in
this part of the country. They had
built small fire to make their coffee,
and were lying in their tent where they
could command quite view of the trail
ahead. 1t was still light, and as the
speaker glanced carelessly over the val
ley in which they had halted he uttered
sharp exclamation and sprang to his
feet.
"Thar's something movin' over tharl"
he said quickly, shading his eyes with
his hand as il to aid his vision. 'It's
man an he's afoot, headin' fer our
fire, jest as sure's yer born! Ten dollars
ter one it's our mani Remember you're
Mister Tom Scott, and don't make a
mess of i'll"
Rider soon saw a dark figure drawing
near them, and when it was but few
rods away a mans voice shouted:
Hello, there!"
"Hello!" responded Bowers, stepping
from the tent.
The stranger came rapidly toward
him, and there was light enough to re-
veal powerfully-built man of middle
age, who. wore small pack on his
back and carried a serviceable looking
revolver at his belt. His beard was
long and unkempt, but he walked with
long, swinging step, which told Of
unimpaired vigor.
When he reached the tent he looked
shryr,v ct che two men AS his eyes
rested upon Riders companion a puz-
zled look came into them for an instant,
but he said, heartily:
Hello, mates, which way are you
bound?"
up this way" replied Bowers. jerk
ing his thumb in the direction from
which the stranger had appeared.
Going up the Yukon way?"
Not quite"
The man looked bit uneasy, but
Bowers, who had been watching his
face closely, now said:
Dump yer load, pardner, an camp
long with us. We've got some prime
coffee an bacon, an them Goals is Jest
right ter cook on. We've fed, but yer
welcome. If yer jest in from q long
tramp dare say as yer kinder low on
grub"
Without waiting for a reply he seized
the coffee pot and set to work in a way
which showed he was no novice.
The stranger laid aside his pack, and
was soon eating with relish, which
did justice to his hosts supposition.
When he could eat no more Bowers
said:
Got any tobacco?"
Haven't had a smoke for a month"
was the reply.
That's tough! Here's a pipe. Join
u.s."
His manner was so cordial and frank
that Rider looked at him in wonder.
The stranger eagerly accepted the pipe,
and for few moments sat in silence,
drawing huge puffs of the fragrant
weed with an enjoyment which fairly
spoke for itself.
Suddenly Riders companion slapped
his thigh as though he had just
thought of something wonderful, and,
turning to the mate with a look of
warning, exclaimed:
"By thunder, Scott, you don't sup
pose this is
He stopped in the middle of the SEN
tence and looked searchingly at the
stranger, then continues:
1T would be funny, wouldn't it.
Scott, if we had met him out here! You
know the letter said he was comm
down this month fer grub"
The stranger looked wonderingly at
the two men and Bowers FASTENED to
say:
Excuse me, stranger, but might
your name be Tarbox?''
The man took his pipe from his lips
and stared at the speaker for full sec
ond before replying, then he replied:
1T might be and it is. How did you
know me?
AN yer pardner's name is Taylor?"
This time the man was too astonished
to reply, and Bowers went on:
You're goin' ter Dyea after grub an
he's back in the hills. Amt that all
Joe TarboX rose to his feet and laid
his hand on his weapon, saying in q
quiet tone:
That is correct, but it's my turn to
ask questions now. How did you find
all this out?"
Bowers turned to the mate and said,
promptly:
Tom, old man, you tell him our
yarn an let him see the documents.
Thatll soon put things straight"
MY name is Scott" said Rider al
was an officer on the ship where man
named John Avery died. He was COM
ing out here on account of a letter from
IN old chum of his named Dick TAYLOR.
The old chan fall ~ .lN,o L