The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1905-01-13

/ does not grow moist"
They had a rope made OF seal hide.
and. cutting pole with their hand
axes, stretched IL 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 20 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 20 his own
satisfaction. lie believed his last
hour had come and determined to
meet his fate like a hero When told
20 prepare for death. he rose. made
mo- resistance. and his arms were
tied behind his back The moose was
adjusted about his neck. ana he took
his position under the cros8bar. and
closing his eyes. murmurcd short
prayer
All eyes were ON the other captive
bu, he sat with face avortod and said
not a word. There was no change In
his expression no more indication Of
grief than might have been expected
nt the death ~ a stranger. when the
miserable farce was over Paul had
been released. and the four rascsls
retired again to confer with each
each other Tom Ambrose said:
Well. IT'S my opinion that we've
lost our last chance of ever getting
his buried millions"
At this padgctt again proposed his
knottcd stick and sworc he would
brain both with IL. but he was Pre-.
vented by Morris and Allen. who de.
clarcd there should be no real VIC.
lcnce The two prisoners were given
a mcagre supper Of dried beef and
little meal Cruel. and driven to the
far end Of the cavern for the night.
When they were apart from the
guard Paul asked:
What was meant by their cxtraor.
binary course today"
They labor under tho mistaken
idea that we are related and both
have some knowledge OF the buried
treasure, As they are mistaken they
viii succeed In getting nothing from
u.s."
7 have been mystlncd at their
strange conduct all along" said Paul.
and ! would not be surprised at any
time at their taking our lives"
His companion shook his grlzzled
head and answered;
NO. no; they won't harm MS so
long as We have the secret In our own
breasts. II we should tell them and
they should find the treasure. then we
would be killed In short order"
Paul shuddercd. was silent for
while and asked:
Then you don't believe we have
any hope OF mercy at their hands?"
The sea captain answered:
NO"
Captain, let's make our escape"
"shl Speak lower; you may be
heard"
Il Will. but am In earnest"
SO am !. but we must be cunning
as the fox to escape from those raa.
calls"
u am willing to trust you lmpllc.
lily"
Then say nothing"
Though night and day were the
same In that dungeon. the captors had
their sleeping and waking hours. Paul
and his companion threw themselves
on their miserable pallet OF straw. but
not TO sleep. They lay so they could
watch their captors.
Al last, one after another, they be.
gan TO grow drowsy one rose and
went toward the pile OF straw. and
stretching himself upon IL. was soon
snoring A short quarrel followed on
the subject OF guarding the prisoners.
Padgett was the man selected and
he swore he had done more than his
share at that business and he wouldn't
do any more OF II. but Morris, who
seemed the person In command. de.
clared he must take his turn OF two
hours, and left him on duty while
the others went 10 bed,
The whole matter could not have
been better planned for Paul. for Pad.
gett was careless and yawned sleep.
lily before his companions had closed
their eyes. For long time he made
a fight against the wiles OF Morpheus,
but at last his head dropped forward
on his chest,
Paul raised his own head and |
shoulders from his pallet OF straw
and surveyed the entire cavern at a
sweeping glance, There was a fire
burning In the center which threw out
a dun, rudy glow, dlmly lighting the
scene. Where the FIRE had been built
the cavern was wide. and from the
lofty ceiling ages ago great fragments
NJ stone had been torn loose and lay
In a heap on the floor, a little 10 one
side OF the FIRE, leaving a dark path
In the shadow. Paul could also see
that their captors had placed their
rifles In a corner farthest from them.
The three men sleeping on the straw
were between the prisoners and the
rifles, which were on the right OF the
sleeping sentry All the advantages
and Disadvantages OF the position
we're taken into consideration at a
glance. Paul's companion arose and
gave their surroundings a quick sur.
'ey, and then they exchanged glances.
The look was sufficient They under
stood each other as well as II they
rad spoken volumes. Paul was TO look
flor the a-,,.rN |