Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-28
" KtrB SbeQoom's Mtnoe W.
coNr1NuEp FRoM PREoEpINa PAeE

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Bart and the boys were there, and it would
have been highly imprudent, if such had been
the case, for the men to show themselves at
the opening of the gulch.
1t was quite evident that the outlaws were
surprised at finding the camp deserted, and
they stole from among the trees very eau
tiously. as If they feared an ambuscade.
One came from the woods directly behind
the tent, another from lower down near the
opening of the ravine, and Tom himself ap-
peared close by the sluice-boxes.
1t would have been easy, from the place
where the boys were hidden, to have shot
at least two Of the thieves at the first mo.
ment OF their appearance, but both Kirk and
Dory would have preferred to surrender their
claim to the mine and all their property,
rather than to kill human being, and their
only purpose was to remain where they were
until Bart should return.
The thieves examined everything round the
dlgglngs with the greatest curiosity, and, as
the boys had been washing gravel all the
day previous, and also that forenoon, with
ness OF the mine could be seen in the slulce-
boxes.
This was the first point at which Tom be
gan his investigations. and, in few moments,
loud, triumphant shout from him told his
companions that they had, indeed, found that
for which they had been seeking.
81 knew Bart Conroy had struck it rich
somewhere around here" he said, as he show
ed handful of the yellow grains to his com,
panions, "and I was right His father found
a good hundred ounces of nuggets somewhere
in this valley, and Bart always believed he
could hit a pay-streak around here" :,
Ihey must be hiding down the range,
said one of the men, as he looked greediy
at the treasure
"Is that all the sense you've got, Jack Dil
lon! Can't you see that they've been washing
this forenoon?" asked Tom, angrily; and Then
ne een d again tran to fear for thas & Bart dgWS
co the camp and see if we can find anything
there. The towards may have gone after some
one to help them fight but if they have, they'll
find. find that Ia it will take mighty long while to
The boys could see the intruders as they
examined everything in and around the tent.
In such rich diggings they knew perfectly
well that there should be deposit of gold
made somewhere, and they began to look
around for evidences of the ground having
been disturbed in the immediate vicinity Of
the camp.
In this way they discovered where the am
munition had been buried, and they dug it
up amid great rejoicings,
They also found the place where the gold
dust had been concealed; but they were not
very highly eated with their success when
they learned that the treasure had been re-
moved
The fact that all the weapons and the
greater portion of the blankets were mise
ing convinced the thieves that the rightful
owner of the mine had gone some distance
away, and Tom took formal possession of the
placer by saying:
"Now, all we've got TO do is to have nerve
enough to hold this place until we've taken
out what dust we need. Three of us can
keep fifty off, and we've got to do it."
But we ought first to know where Bart
and the boys are. I'm willing enough to
jump claim; but l don't care about letting
any one get the dead drop on me-" said the
one Tom had called Jack Dillon. II don't
believe they've all left the place, and We
ought to look for them"
"We've got to be ready to run now," whis-
pered Kirk. "When give the word, start
straight up the mountain, and keep behind
bushes as much as you can so they won't see
you"
"You go up on that side of the gulch, Jack
and I'll go on the other;" said Tom, suiting
the action to the words.
"Now!" said Kirk. "Run as fast as you
cant"
The two boys ran out from their place of
concealment, and in another instant a shout
from Jack told that he had seen them.
''Runl" shouted Kirk, darting up the clear
ed spaces, now that further concealment was
unnecessary. run! for if they get the chance,
they'll shoot u.s."
On the boys fled like startled deer, and
hardly more than riAe-shot behind were
their relentless pursuers.