Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-21
CHAPTER XVII.
CONCLUSION.


ess forenoon trying to pass the wood,
and then the leader said:
1t amt no use goin' any farther this
way. We might as well go back ter
their trail. Them fools has gone ter
Dyea as fast as their feet kin take 'em
ter try an find us. Come on"
He wheeled his horse as he spoke. and
the others followed his example. The
sun was below the horizon when the
ured animals once more entered tho
rack they had left that morning, and
&c"ers hurried his alorc. remarking:
1--WE might as we'll git along ter ther
old hut agin an camp ternight. tn
save Their bother of sticking out our tent
an cuttin' beds. Stir up those crit
tersi"
Half an hour later they had reached
the spot where they left their prisoners
II was deserted, and Bowers chuckled
with satisfaction as he said:
Think of 'em trampin' for all they're
wuth AM we with all their stuff"
AS he spoke he dismounted, and
added:
Wen hey ter lead these clitters in
ter ther bush with US afore we unpack
hut with US. 1 don't take no chances.
Wen stan a watch, too
After some trouble the horses were
led to the hut, the gold unloaded and
placed within. Then Bowers threw
himself on the pile of boughs, saying:
Come on, Turner, let's warm our
eyes. I'm too sleepy ter eat. Rider,
you keep watch fer awhile, an then
wake one o US up"
Almostas he spoke he dropped asleep,
an example promptly followed by Tur-
ner, while Rider sat by the door yawn-
Ing. Neither man had slept the night
before and soon his head began to
6roop.
Finding It impossible to keep awake
m this position, he arose and paced
sbevly up and down in front of the hut,
% he had been accustomed to do on
shipboard.
He did not see a dark form which
drew nearer each time his back was
turned.
Closer and closer 1t crept until Il
reached a tree at the end of his route.
The next time he turned his back to Il
he was seized by the throat from be-
hind with grip which completely shut
on his breath while Q stern whisper
sounded in his ear:
make a sound and I'll kill you like
: dogI"
Obed Rider made no attempt to strug-
gle after the first involuntary start of
surprise. The cold rim of steel pressed
against his ear was too strong an argu-
ment in addition to the viselike grip on
his windpipe.
The latter was loosened when he
ceased struggling and the voice whis-
pered:
Come with me quietly, or it'll be the
worse for you'll"
The speaker pushed him along few
yards until he reached a spot wher. be
could readily distinguish the outlines
OF several men under a tree. AS they
approached the group, his captor said:
Here he is. Now, what shall we do
with him?"
1t was Tarbox who stood behind the
prisoner, and he added:
Zone OF You take away his weapons."
Tom Scott sprang to the side of his
old enemy, and to his delight found
two loaded revolverE in his belt, which
he secured, giving one to Taylor.
Avery had taken the one from his
daughter, and Tom found that the car
tridges in the weapon just secured ft-
ted the empty revolver he had found In
the hut.
To slip three of them into it was the
work of a moment. Then our friends
found they had four weapons ready for
use. and determined to lose no time In
recovering their golden treasure.
Lets surround the hut" said Tom,
eagerly, land call them out. THEY'LL
surrender when they find they have no
ahow with u.s."
But Avery advised caution. They're
desperate men," he said, land they viii
fight when, cornered. We don't want
any bloodshed over this affair If we can
help it. When daylight comes they
may be glad to give us the gold to save
their skins, but if we surprise them in |
the dark somebody is likely to get
killed"
''See here" said Tarbox, suddenly,
still gripping Riders collar with his |
sinewy hand, "why can't this rascal |
help usa Send him back, and let him |
get hold of the guns in the hut aud |
BRING them out. If he tries any crook |
ed business III put a bullet through him |
myself at the first sign"
"You hear?" said Taylor. Now be !
on, and remember we are six to your
three. We already have tho horses
safe, and if you serve us we'll you sha!
60 free, although you ought to be hung
for what you have done. Go back and |
get all the weapons You can out of the |
hut. Hurry up!"
But Bowers will shoot me in a min |
ute If he wakes, whispered Rider, fear |
fully.
shoot him first, then" was the
prompt response. ''I'll shoot you If you |
act the least bit suspicious. No mere |
talk now. Start!"
The muzzle of a revolver poked |
smartly into the small of his back left |
the wretched man no alternative and
he Mt ole tny Nd = -