Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-07

gold, while in his hand was rope lad
der which he had fashioned at his Lei
sure.
To fasten the last to the top of the
obstructing bowldcr was an easy task.
aided by the light of a match, which
could not be seen outside. Down the
ladder he felt his way, and after some
trouble reached the plain, where the
starlight made the rest OF the way conn
paratively easy.
As he approached the rock he saw
dark figure Fastening to meet him and
moment later Obed Rider stood before
him, saying:
as it you, Bowers?'
"Yes, Rider, it's me an yer n bricki
Right on time!"
81 got here yesterday. Sold the
horses for $3.50 apiece and put the coin
in a safe place there. Got three horses
with me back here. What are you
going to do?'
4Git the bosses an foller mel" said
Bowers, hurriedly. "I'll explain later
On"
Rider obeyed, and as they made their
way across the plain he asked again
what his companion intended to do.
"All you've got ter do is ter wait
where L put yer an do as tell yer, an
to-morrer you'll be a rich man." re-
piled Bowers, mysteriously.
When they reached the base of the
cliff he fastened the animals securely
and led the way into the narrow pas
sage, saying:
Hold on to my coat. l. isn't far"
When they came to the rope ladder he
struck a match and whispered:
"Stay here till L come an pass some
thin down ter yer. Take it out an
fasten it on the boss an come back. II
yer hear eny shootin' come up an
gimme hand!"
Without waiting for Rider to reply he
| assembled the ladder, leaving the latter
in the dark passage and in no enviable
frame of mind.
snow for the gold" he muttered, as
he crept silently toward the cave.
It was perfect night, and the stars
overhead gave sufficient light to enable
Bowers to see objects quite distance
away. He was obliged to move very
carefully over the broken ground to
avoid fall, but he seemed entirely at
home at this sort of work, avoiding
rolling stones as if by instinct.
In order to reach the cave he must
, pass close to the tents, and as he drew
near them he redoubled his caution, for
his only hope of success lay in stealth.
Nearer sad nearer he crept until he
could hear the heavy breathing of the
occupants, and for fully five minutes he
stood motionless, every sense on the
alert
Apparently the entire party was
asleep, and with noiseless step he stole
past the two tents and fixed his eyes on
the opening TO the cave. Twice since his
arrival he had managed to peep inside
unobserved, and only that morning he
had seen the pile of fat 'anvas bags on
the ground to the left, had also no
tice6 that the bough blankets
upon which Avery daughter
slept were on the opp ide.
!, Now he -v.rs with Seet OF +he
| entrance, and after a last swift glance
at the tents behind him he dropped to
his knees and crawled deliberately up
! to 1t.
Again he paused.
Yes, they we're both asleep. He could
hear the lopg-drawn breathing at the
right, and plainly distinguish that OF
the father from his daughter.
Then, like some huge black spider he
crawled into the inky darkness, and.
| was lost to view.
Inch by inch he advanced, guiding
himself by the glimpses he had fixed in
his mind of the place, until his hand
rested on the treasure. The bags were
heavy, and he moved them with diff
Guilty in his recumbent position, but he
had come prepared.
Thrusting his hand into his bosom, he
produced a short, thick thong, with
which he fastened two Of the largest
together pausing often to be certain
he had not disturbed the sleepers.
When this was done ne hung them
over his neck in such manner that
they swung clear from the floor. His
next move was to stuff two small bags
into his shirt. Then, with Infinite pa
thence, he worked his way back to the
door and through it.
His breath came hard as he reached
the open air, Cor the strain had been
tremendous. Detection meant almost
certain death, and even his iron nerve
had not been proof against the situa-
ton.
When he had some yhat recovered. he
crept slowly by the tents, until salts
fed that all immediate danger was
past. Then he rose to his feet, and
hurried down the bed of the old brook
until he reached the top of the bowlder.
1t was the work of q moment to fas-
ten his plumber to a rope. and lower it
down, atthe same time whispering loud
ly to his confederate:
Are you there, Rider?'
1es," came the answer. "Whatis all
this?"
Gold, you fool!" Kissed Bowers.
Lash It on one of the critters, quickl"
For moment he hesitated. Should
he join his partner aud make good his
escape?
Apparently cupidity won the day, for
he began to retrace his steps toward the