Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-07
CHAPTER XII.
DIGGING A FORTUNE

lied 1T had been purposely rolled there
TO prevent his ingress. 1t followed.
then, that he had been seen approach
ing the cliff.
There must be some sort of a valley
behind this ere cliff" he concluded, a.
he stood measuring the distance to the
top of the obstructing stone with his
eye, IAN that Teller won't keep me out
of it long"
With confident air he retraced his
steps to the opening and removed the
packs from his horses. Then he took
coil of rope on his arm and entered
the cleft once more.
Bowers had been cowboy once and
was an expert with the lasso. He had
noticed sharp spur on the upper side
Of the barrier, and with dexterous cast
he Topped his rope around il at the first
attempt. Then with an agility really
remarkable in so large a man he drew
himself up about 20 feet, rntil he was
able to secure a foothold and chamber
over the top.
To his surprise he saw no one, and
without the least sign of fear he
climbed up the short distance remain
ing to be traversed and appeared be-
fore the astonished eyes of the htsle
group, who were even then discussing
the noise they had heard a few mo-
ments before.
Hello, pards," he said, boldly APP
preaching our friends. Yer don't seem
over'n above glad ter see me, but I'm
here. Now, what's ter be done? amt
a very revengeful sort o. cuss or I'd
ask yer what yer meant 10y trying ter
squash me with a couple o ton O. rock
jest now"
His impudence kept the others quiet
for moment, and then Tarbox stepped
forward and said. sternly:
"You are not wanted here. You were
kicked out of Ladue's for stealing, and
your present partner is n thief and,
would-be murderer. Where is hep"
i've parted company with the low
down skunk" was the ready reply, as
Bowers threw into his voice an excel
lent assumption of indignation. .sHe
owned up this mornin' that he'd stole
them papers and dassent show his head
here fer fear the man what owned 'em
might hev passed us while we was of
the trail. told Aign ter git out an leave
my company, and he's gone back ter
Dyea. That's straight"
His manner was so earnest that he
made an impression and was quick to
notice it. Before anyone had time to
reply he went on:
Its true l was kicked out o. Joe
Ladue's, but was drunk an took some
dust from chap what was drunker'n
L was. had the craze fer Ticker on me
an didn't more'n half know what was
dom.
BESIDES that" he continued, seeinp
that he was gaining ground, I've got a
good outfit down below here an don't
nsk no grub. l know you've struck it
rich here an here's the papers ten
prove it. / took 'em from that Rider
afore he started off. All want is ter
stay here an make my pile. This is free
ground anyway, an yer can't drive me
OF If / want ter stay. Even if yer did
clean me out l could bring hundreds o.
miners here in no time by telling what
know. What is it, pards, stay or light
out for Dyea and fetch the crowd?"
As he paused for reply the others
looked blankly at each other. He had
spoken the truth. He had a perfect
right to stay. They could not murder
him, and TO drive him away would he
to give the news of their mine to the
world.
Both Tarbox and Taylor realized that
they had but one course to pursue. The
pay streak was so crooked and shallow
that it would be necessary to go over
large piece of ground to follow it, and
should their discovery leak out they
would be confined to a claim apiece.
where they now could pick and choose
over the entire valley.
Bowers watched them with an easy
air as they spoke in low tones for o
moment for he knew well they could
but decide one way. Presently Dick
Taylor said, bluntly:
What you say is true in regard to
this place. We don't want you, but
we are obliged to have you. Get your
stuff up out of sight. We will help you
do that for our own sake. After that
you will keep away from our camp and
dig all you please"
An hour later his outfit was in the
valley, and as he busted himself putting
up his tent he wore a self-satisfied ex-
preston that BODIED i'll for the peace
of the men upon whom he had forced
himself so cleverly.
But if Hank Bowers could have been
present at a little conference that night
he would not have congratulated him
self so suddenly. He was a deep rascal,
but he had different material TO deal
with than the sailor in whose company
he had recently been.
Dick Taylor was very shrewd sort
of person, and while he had been
forced to receive the stranger into his
camp he was determined he should not
remain there after they were ready to
have him so. To get rid of him in a
way that would keep his tongue sealed
in regard to the gold they had found
was the problem and he ha1 thought of
way which he hoped might answer
their purpose.
That night he detailed his scheme to
the others, and all agreed that it was
the wisest course under the circum-