Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1905-01-13
could now go and unearth that buried
treasure I would not do it."
seWbv7,

"Why?"
For two reasons. First, l win not
compromise with crime. Second, even
II l did decide to do so and turn over
the treasure to you il would be the
signal for our own destruction. You
would never dare let US go after what
you have done"
Bob Allen and Morris and the sail
ors were abashed. They fell back
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 a 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 Paul's 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 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 word. There was no change in
his expression-no more indication of
grief than might have been expected
at the death of a 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 yio-
lence. The two prisoners were given
a meagre supper of dried beef and
little meal cruel, and driven to the
far Wien # fth tSe ssrn a fer the night
guard Paul asked:
What was meant by their extraor-
binary course today"
"They labor under the mistaken
idea that we are related and both
have some knowledge of the buried
treasure. 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
time at their taking our lives"
His companion shook his grizzled
head and answered:
mo, no; they won't harm us so
long as we have the secret in our own
breasts. If we should tell them and
they 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
any hope of mercy at their hands?"
The sea captain answered:
NO"
captain, let's make our escape"
SSH Speak lower; you may be
heard"
81 will, but 1 am in earnest"
so am l, but we must be cunning
as the fox to escape from those ras-
calls"
81 am willing to trust you implic-
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.
At last, one after another, they be-
gan to grow drowsy. One rose and
went toward the pile of straw, and
himself upon it, 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 it, but Morris, who
seemed the person in command, de-