Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-17
CHAPTER Y.
RIDER GETS A SURPRISE.

RIDER GETS A SURPRISE.
Obed Rider was far from easy in his
mind as the train sped on, leaving San
Francisco behind. He had slept on
board the vessel the previous night un-
til the noise of the second mate arous-
ing the captain had awakened him.
They did not call him. knowing the en-
NIFTY that had existed between himself
and Tom, but he overheard enough to
tell him that Tom was alive, although
badly hurt and cut of his head with
fever.
de knew Tom was in utter ignorance
OF the identity of his assailant, but had
he been aware of the loss of the belt?
Would the skipper remember the time
he had seen the mate coming out of
Toms room and place any new sig
niacance on the incident?
guilty conscience made him mag
Inc all sorts of dangers to himself, and
he trembled each time the train stopped
at station lest an officer should be
In wait for him.
But nothing of the kind happened,
and In dine time he reached Seattle.
Here things seemed more encouraging,
for he was fortunate enough to find
man who had engaged passage on a
steamer for Skaguay and Dyea, which
sailed the same day. The man had re-
ceived a telegram announcing the dan
gerous illness of his wife, and was eager
to leave Seattle by the next train.
The mate happened to be the first
man he met, and the latter soon came
toterms with him. and hurried on board
to secure his quarters. He kept HIM
self out of sight as much as possible.
but when the lines were cast off the
following day and the City of seattle
steamed out of the harbor he drew a
long breath of relief, and said, half
aloud:
We're off at last. and I'm safe now
He found that his ticket entitled him
to stateroom, and that the trip from
Seattle to Dyea usually occupied about
five days All his fellow passengers
were wild with impatience to reach the
land of gold, and now that he felt safe
from pursuit he eagerly listened to the
stories of wonderful wealth found by
lucky miners, for each one made it
more probable that the papers he had
secreted about him were genuine evil
Al
clined to doubt.
he had paid the returning iner $500
for his ticket and outfit, the latter in
Guiding three horses and good supply
CT provisions. while the former includ-
ed their transportation to Dyea free of
cost. He must, however, land then
himself, the company declining all re
sponsibility for this part of the work.
"A short stop was made at Juneau, and
two days later he found himself on the
beach at Dyea with his belongings and
feeling utterly al a loss how to proceed.
How to handle this formida BILE outfit
was puzzle. On board a vessel he was
at home, but horse was an animal of
which he knew very little and here
were three Of them besides the heap
ST miscellaneous articles piled on the
rocky shingle.
1t was plain that they must be moved
before the tide came in, and with
sailors knowledge of knots he soon
lasEed the burdens on the backs of the
raw-boned animals and succeeded in
getting them to the town safely.
small tent was among his newly
acquired possessions and he proceeded
TO pitch it as best he could, piling his
goods outside. He set up his little
sheet-iron stove and was going for wa
ter when he passed close to one of his
animals. who launched out viciously at
him with his hoof, sending him TO the
ground several yards away with
broken rib and his left arm badly
bruised.
What's the troube?" said a rough
voice from the next camp as burly,
bearded man strolled leisurely to the
spot. III urt We much. pard?'
a string of oaths hurst from Rider as
he scram bled 10 his feet.
Something's cracked inside" he
growled. and my arms hurt. On
the horse, anyway"
Better let my mate see if awnings
wrong. He's a master hand with any
thing o that kind. Here, Scott!" he
added, raising his voice.
Obed Rider started at the name, but
he turned fairly white with amazement
as tall. broad-shoudered man in the
prime of life issued from the tent and
came toward him, saying: