The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1905-02-14


WHY"
For two reasons. First, | will no
compromise with crime. Second, ever
II did decide to do so and turn owe
the treasure to you IL would be tn,
signal for our own destruction. Yol
would never dare let us go after wha
you have done"
Bob Allen and Morris and the sail
! ors were abashed. They fell bach
before the piercing glance of the Off
Ger against whom they had mutined
The baffied rascals swore like troop
ers, and Ned Padgett made an appeal
for his knotted stick, but was over
ruled, and after some more delibera
ton it was decided to try the effect
OF the rope on the young prisoner.
Il tell you he is the son of the old
man; watch him closely when we go
to hang him up and see if his eye
does not grow moist"
They had rope made of seal hide,
and, cutting pole with their hand
axes, stretched it across the narrow
end of the cavern and placed a rope
about Pauls neck.
Now old man, confess that you
have lied, and swear that you will
take us to the GOLD, or this young
fellow will die" Paul, who had not
heard the conversation between the
hermit and his captors, was unable
to explain their conduct to his own
satisfaction. He believed his last
hour had come and determined to
meet his fate like a hero. When told
to prepare for death, he rose, made
no resistance, and his arms were
tied behind his back. The moose was
adjusted about his neck, and he took
his position under the cross-bar, and
closing his eyes, murmured a short
prayer.
All eyes were on the other captive,
but he sat with face averted and said
not a word. There was no change in
his expression-no more indication of
grief than might have been expected
at the death of stranger. When the
miserable farce was over Paul had
been released, and the four rascals
retired again to confer with each
each other. Tom Ambrose said:
We'll, it's my opinion that we've
lost our last chance of ever getting
his buried millions"
AT this Padgett again proposed his
knotted stick and swore he would
brain both with it, but he was pre-
vented by Morris and Allen, who de-
clared there should be no real vio-
ence. The two prisoners were given
meagre supper of dried beef and
little meal Cruel, and driven to the
ar end of the cavern for the night.
When they were apart from the
guard Paul asked:
What was meant by their extraor-
iinary course to-day?"
They labor under the mistaken
dea that we are related and both
lave some knowledge of the buried |
reasure. AS they are mistaken, they
will succeed in getting nothing from
u.s."
I have been mystified at their |
strange conduct all along" said Paul,
and | would not be surprised at any
ime at their taking our lives"
Iic nj I, a.
lead and answered.:
mo, no; they won't harm us so
ong as we have the secret in our own
breasts. If we should tell them and |
hey should find the treasure, then we
would be killed in short order"
Paul shuddered, was silent for a
while and asked
Then you don't believe we have
my hope of mercy at their hands?" |
The sea captain answered.:
mo"
Captain, let's make our escape"
Ssh! Speak lower; you may be
leard."
Il will, but am in earnest"
So am l, but we must be cunning
Is the fox to escape from those ras-
ais"
Il am willing to trust you implic-
tly."
Then say nothing"
Though night and day were the
ame In that dungeon, the captors had
heir sleeping and waking hours. Paul
md his companion threw themselves
IN their miserable pallet of straw, but
lot to sleep. They lay SO they could
watch their captors.
At last, one after another, they be-
,an to grow drowsy. One rose and
vent toward the pile of straw, and
stretching himself upon 1t, was soon
noring. A short quarrel followed on
he subject of guarding the prisoners.