Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-17


could see nothing which at all resembled
dwelling Not even cave was in sight and
they halted in perplexity.
foiilow me" said Tom, as dismounting
from his burro, he led the way up the steep
side OF the mountain. ''Dont make the mis-
take Of trying to get away, Just because my
back IS turned. for pistol bullet will travel
good deal faster than you cam
1t seemed little less than mockery to speak
OF the boys attempting to escape then. Tired
as they were. it would have been wellngh
impossible for them to have walked a mile
further, while to run was entirely out Of The
question. ile NO one could have desired more do,
Gle prisoners than they were, and instead
Of thinking how, they might escape, their only
hope was that they would soon be able to take
the rest they SO badly needed.
Very meekly did they follow. Tom up the
mountain, wondering how much further the
ascent was to be made, until he stopped in
front of thicket of small pine trees, through
which could be seen a faint trail,
Go in there" said Tom, as he pointed to
this ill-defned path; and the boys obeyed,
leading the burros through the bushes. while
the robber followed with the other two ami
mails.
Here, hidden from all save the most care.
ful search. was rude log hut. one end, of
which was formed by hollow, or shallow
cave, in the side of the mountain.
I This particular thicket in which the thieves
had their cabin covered nearly two acres of
ground; and the centre. or about three-qulr-
quite pasture for the donkeys
The interior of the hut, as the boys saw
when they carried in their own goods, which
the villains had appropriated, consisted Of but
one room, with rude fireplace in the centre,
and hole in the roof to serve as an outlet
for the smoke. On the floor were beds made
Of pine boughs, and in one corner was a
roughly-hewn board set up ON four stakes to
serve as a table.
With these exceptions, the cabin was as
| emDtv IL WAS dismal lnoLinU
| While the boys were unloading the donlseys
and carrying the camp equipage into the hut,
Dick was building fire and Tom making
ready to cook the supper-a work which the
boys had not even dared to hope he would
do
The burros were turned loose IN the SPACE
inclosing the hut, where the grass was luxu-
RANT and water near by.
Although Kirk and Dory were hungry, they
were too tired to wait for anything to eat,
and threw themselves UPON the dried pine
branches In one corner of the hut, feeling
grateful for the opportunity afforded them to
rest.
They remained silent and motion1ess as If
asleep and Tom and Dick evidently thought
that they were slumbering soundly, for they
no longer spoke in whispers, but talked boldly
Of their intentions while getting supper.
Glow long do you think weu stay here|
Dick asked after time.
Il think we'd better stay a couple of weeks,
and by that time the hue and cry will have
died out enough for US to run the risk of max
ing another break"
4.What are you going TO do with the boys
while we're away? Take iem with us"
r "Not much. Well fasten 'em up so there
| won't be any chance to get away, and if it
should happen that we couldn't get back, why,
so much the worse for them
''See here, Dick" said Tom, abruptly, after
slight pause. @You know your own business
best, and I've agreed to see you through; but
ic looks to me as if we were taking too big
risks in keeping them with us. Why not let
them go~
sIet my affairs alone, win your replied
| Dick, roughly. NTve got a particular use for
them boys, as you'll see presently. We
couldn't let em go just now, because they'd
give this place away, and then, again, notice
you like to have some one around to do the
work as well as l."
fYou're right; but it seems to me as if the
risks we're taking amount to more than their
work does. We won't say any more about it,
though, since you've got some good reasons
for keeping 'em. Let's see how the last haul
panned out, and then wen put the stuff away
j while the boys are asleep
Tom produced, from pockets on the inside
of his shirt, several watches, two or three
pocketbooks and a number of bags, such as
are carried for gold or silver. These he laid
ON the ground. and beside them he placed all
the money that had been taken from the stolen
i letters.
4 s'There's the whole Doodle There's no use
In counting it now, for you know we're to
whack up even on all we get; SO wen just put
this with the rest till the time comes when
we want to skip"
Dick looked at the property in careless
way for moment or two and then to Kinks
surprise Tom began to rake the fire aside as
i if to extinguish IT.
| His real purpose was made plain, however