Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-09-05
CHAPTER <.

stream branched. Here they
~ took to the right and urged
their horses along a forsaken trail to
the headwaters of the little tributary
and over the low saddle. They had en-
deaVored to reach unfrequented paths
as soon as possible in order that they
might pass unnoticed. Before quitting
the valley they halted their heaving
horses and, selecting stagnant pool
secured the grease paint from their
features as best they could. Their
ears were strained for sounds Of pur-
suit, but as the moments passed and
none came the tension eased some
what and they conversed guardedly.
AS the morning light spread they
range, but paused again, and, relnov-
ing two saddles, hid them among the
rocks. Slapjack left the others here
and rode southwark down the Dry
Creek trail toward town, while the
partners shifted part of the weight
from the overloaded pack mules to the
remaining saddle animals and con-
tinued eastward along the barren
comb of hilis on foot, leading the five
horses.
att doa't seem like we'll get away
this easy" said Dextry, scanning the
back trail. IF we do, I'll be tempted
to foller the business reglar. This
grease paint on my face makes me
smell like a minstrel man. bet we'll
get some bully press notices tomor-
row."
81 wonder what Helen was doing
there. Glenister answered irrelevant
~, for he had been more shaken by
his encounter with her than at his part
In the rest of the enterprise. and his
mind. which should have been busted
with the flight. held nothing but pic
lures Of her as she stood in the half
darkness under the fear Of his Win
chester. what If she ever learned
who that black rufian was!' He
quailed at the thought.
"say. Dex. am going to marry that
girl"
~ dunno If you be or not.'' said Dex-
try Better watch Mcnamara"
"WhatT The younger man stopped
and stared. What do you meant"
go on. Don't stop the horses.
amt blind. i kin put two an two to-
gether."
You'll never put those two together.
Nonsensel Why. the mans q rascal.
/ wouldn't let him have her. Besides.
It couldn't be. She'll find him out. |
love her so much that-oh, my feelings
are too big to talk about" He moved
his hands eloquently. you can't IN
derstand.'
"Um-mi / s'pose not" grunted Dex-
try, but his eyes were level and held
the light of the past.
HE may be a rascal" the old man
continued, after a little. "I'll put in
with you on that but he's handsome
devil, and as for manners he makes
you look like a logger. He's brave
man too. Them three qualities are
trump cards and warranted to take
most any queen IN the human deck
red, white or Yellow
IF he dares,'' growled Glenister,
while his thick brows came forward,
and ugly lines hardened in his face.
In the gray Of the early morning
they descended the foothills into the
wide valley of the Nome river and
fled out across tie rolling country to
the river bluffs where, cleverly con-
cealed among the willows, was q
rocker. This they set up, then pro
ceeded to wash the dirt from the sacks
carefully. yet with the utmost speed,
for there was serious danger Of dis
covery. 1t was wonderful, this treas
ure OF the richest ground since the
days of 40, and the men worked with
shining eyes and hands a-tremble. The
gold was coarse, and many ragged, vel
low Jumps, too large to pass through
the screen rolled in the hopper while
the aprons bellied with its weight. In
the pans which they had provided there
grew cleaning heap Of wet, raw gold.