The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-13

noticed that our march was steadily
veerlng away from the line Of the rail
way, and taking northerly direction.
l said nothing, determined to counter
act these tactics at the right moment.
At the end of the third day, after a
slow progress compared with the speed
OF Of the train, we pitched our camp at
as near as I could judge, from the point
where it was pieced by the railway.
The next morning the caravan wound
it's way to the summit of the ridge, and
I looked down on a broad valley, wa
tered by a river, and broken up by
small spurs jutting out from the main
watershed. AS the guide was about to
t checked him abruptly. II,
eve are not going that way. I
shall turn southwark now, and keep
along the summit of the ridge till we
come to the railway"
The mans face turned as black as
a thundercloud.
"You cannot go that way he
snorted.
"Why7'
Because it is impossible. The
horses will break down.
"We will go on till they do" I an
swered sternly. "And let this be your
last attempt to disobey me. At the next
/ send you back, and 90 on without
you.
The man SUNK forward, muttering
curses, which / affected not to hear. But
had not yet frightened him sufficient
came to me and reported that horse
had gone lame. z...
"Bring it here,'' I commanded.
He went away, and returned leading
the animal. ~ ~
"Go," + said sternly. "Take the
horse back with you, and take rations
for three days. Do not let me see you
again"
He slouched back to his comrades with
out another word.
I waited till half an hour had passed,
then I rose and walked over to the
campfire, round which my followers
were seated, the driver among them.
Glow is it that you are still here?''
I demanded. =
''The horses is all right again. was
the surly answer.
$50 much the worse for you
took out my revolver in one hand, and
my watch in the other. In ten min
utes from now aim this revolver at
you, and fire. remarked. 1t kills
at 200 meters. I should advise you to
get out Of range
I do not think I have ever seen a
man get thru his preparations in less
1, time than then. Long before the al.
Of reach, galloping down the slope of
the hill.
In every expedition thru a wild
country there comes a moment which
decides who is to be master. The mo
ment past, had no fear of further
trouble I was now able to unbene
with the guide; informed him thai
I expected to find gold, and promised
him a rich reward if I succeeded will
his aid. =. .a2~-<.- - ..
But disappointment was in stor'
along the summit of the hills, and :
scrutinized every yard Of the vale,
below with a powerful feldglass, I de
, tected no trace of anything calling fol
Investigation; in fact, I discerned NJ
sign Of human life. By the time 7
had worked down to the railway [ be
gan to fear that was on false scent
| It was in the night, after we hat
pitched our camp close beside the line
I rose and secretly 'crept out of my
tent, eluding the solitary Waterman
and made my way along the track o
the rails. After cropping and stumbling
over the roughly laid road for three
or four miles, suddenly made dis
covery The line divided, sending of
a branch rail, which curved away tt
the south.
I knew now what had become of tn
missing gang of prisoners, or, rather
for by this time I saw more clearly
Of military recruits. .~..-
I also know why I had missed m,
way. The guide had led me to tn
north Of the line, and what I had com
so far to find lay to the south.
The next day, I issued orders to con
tinue the march to the southwark
crossing the railway. The face Of tn
guide, when he received this direction
sufficiently showed that I was gettin
warm, as the children say, at last. II
, made no open remonstrance, but in tn
course of the day I noticed that an
other man and horse had disappeared.
paid no attention to this proof o
treachery. It came too late to affec
me- By noon of the first day afte
quitting the main line for the south
l was already in possession of the care