Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-14

.z.u.x~as S~r.s -..... .e-.
I got long here anSxound this Teller
most dead. I knocked up sort of a
shanty In the bush zn got him into IL,
but he's dyin' sure's Ser born
"What's his names" asked Avery,
| ~and who is he ?"
"Says his names ! der. Obed-"
"Obed Rider," G ca Tom and the
second mate. simuI seously.
.~That's it, Dye aow him?" asked
| the stranger, lool<iI them with we'll
| feigned surprise.
| "rhe scoundrelr d Tom. Jumping
| from his horse. Come, Green, let's go
and see if it is really lim!"
But Avery spoke up at this point and
said:
| Hold on, boysl Don't go rushing of
like thati don't take much stock in
| this story. Suppose IL is some sort Of
a trap? Remember VIII. I we are taking
| with u.s."
"It's all right, boss" urged the new
| conner. "You needn't be scared O. one
man. This Rider begged me ter stay
with him an hadn't ther heart ter
leave him. 1 wouldn't leave dog ter
L Qle III the puSu "a w w oil v
ter come, all right, but hoped yer was
men enuff fer that. I'm goin' back ter
him. He may be dead by this time"
"Where does your man say he's
from ?" demanded Tom, his anger melt
ing away as he thought Of his enemy
dying miserably by himself In this will
! de-ness.
HE says he's from Dyea. He had a
pardner named Buffers or some such
name Hes out OF his head sometimes
an goes on bout a lot o. gold an how
some ones goin' ter git held up an sech
nonsense. Then he's got some papers
an all he thinks about when he sees 'em
is some gold mine an chap named
Scott"
THAT settles iti'- cried Tom. "Come
on, Green, we'll 60"
Without waiting to hear another word
the man turned on his heel and LED the
way among the stunted pines from
whence he had emerged. Tom and
Green followed him and the rest dis
mounted to await their return.
A short walk through the scattering
trees brought the three men to the close
columns of tle main forest. and soon
Tom saw what appeared to be a con-
firmation of the mans story, for in q
little opening toward which they were
directing their steps he could distin-
guish the outlines of a hut.
This is the place." said the guide, as
they reached the entrance. "Come in"
Tom was right at his heels and fol-
lowed him without hesitation. 1t was
now growing dark, and at first he could
not distinguish objects distinctly, but
gradually he became accustomed to the
semi-light and saw n mans form
stretched on the ground in one corner
OF the interior, while a deep groan came
from the spot.
Hank Bowers had altered his plan,
somewhat since first outlining them, fol
a faint voice said:
WHO is it, Turner?'
There was no installing the voice
Both Tom and the second mate recog
nized it instantly as belonging to the
mate OF the Sea5irS. Tom stepped
quickly to his side and bent over him
saying:
"It's Tom Scott the man you robbed
and nearly red.
Z Tom Scotti"
. Rider seemed to raise himself on hi
r elbow by :. great EFFORT and whispered
r Thank heavenl Herei Take the pa
, pers 1 stolel didn't hit you! 1t wa
some one else. I cid rob you, though
! Here, take them an say yer forgiv
mel"
, Without any suspicion of danger Ton
| hRnf ~ n c1x ha n
\ the recumbeat man to take the papers
' when he felt his pistol slip from his belt
: A hand had withdrawn it from behind
9 1t was the hand of the guide.
: Tom Strengthened up and turne
4 sharply to find the muzzle of a revolve
4 within an inch of his face, while at tn
r same instant Hank Bowers appeared 4
4 the doorway and covered the secon
T mate with weapon, saying sharply:
Il Hands up! If yer move, yer dea
menl"
1t is needless to say that both Tor
and Green did as they were bid. 1t wa
madness to attempt resistance, for nc
n only was there something in the man
q tone that showed he was in earnest, bu
A q third reason presented itself in tn
q SHoPo VI q weapon III the mana OF blQel
8 whose face wore an expression of devi
tsh triumph at seeing Toms pale face.
y What do you want of usP" demant
. ed Green, who was the first to find hi
tongue.
3 I'VE want you," was the prompt r,
n ply. "Then we want the rest of th
n party, an we may as well take in the
dust while we're about it. Turne,
. take them guns away from 'em. a,
o see they hain't got none out er sight.
o This was done. and he added:
Z Here, Rider, tie 'em up, hand a,
a foot. You ought ter be handy at NAL
In knots that won't slip, SEEM as y.
j.. a sailor"
: A rope which had evidently been DR.
4 pared for the occasion was produce
and cut into requisite lengths, afts
which Rider bound both prisoners s.
4 curely and rolled them helpless int
A the corner Of the hut, completing h
work by tying pieces of blanket ov,
- | their mouths in su1cn a NAV @ha+ ~ |;