West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-11-14
CHAPTER Y.

TP creek the three negroes fed,
past other camps, to where the
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
rs soon as possible in order that they
might pass unnoticed. Before quitting
the valley they halted their heaving
horses and, selecting a 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
crossed the moss capped summit of the
range, but paused again, and, remov-
ang 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-
dnued eastward along the barren
comb of hills on foot, leading the five
horses.
"It don't seem like Wen get away
his easy" said Dextry, scanning the
pack trail. "If we do, I'll be tempted
TO foller the business reg'lar. This
grease paint on my face makes me
smell like a minstrel man. I bet wen
get some bully press notices tomor-
row."
Il wonder what Helen was doing
there" Glenister answered irrelevant
ly, 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 I'm the half
p. darkness under the fear Of his Win
chester. what II she ever learned
who that black ruffian was! He
qualled at the thought.
Say, Dex, am going 10 marry that
girl"
II dunno II 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. I
amt blind. I kin put two an two to-
gether."
you'll never put those two together.
Nonsense, Why, the mans n rascal.
wouldn't let bin have her Resides,
It couldn't be. She'll find him out.
love her 50 much that-oh, my feelings
are too big to talk about" lie moved
his hands eloquently. "You can't un.
derstand"
"Um-m. I s'pose not" grunted Dex.
try, but IFS eyes were level and held
the light Of the past
lie may be n rascal" the old man
continued. after q little "IH put I'm
with you on that. but he's handsome
devil, and as FOR manners De makes
you look Ike q logger Hes brave
man too. Them three qualities are
trump cards and warranted to take
most any queen iu the human deck
red, white or yellow
II De dares" growlel Gieuistcr.
while his thick 1rows came forward.
and ugly lines hardened ll l.s face.
ID the gray Of the early morning
they descended the foothills into the
wide valley OF the Some river and
fled ont across the rolling country %
the river BLUFFS where. a..rcrIy con-
cealed among the willows was n
rocker. This they set u1. then pro
ceeded 90 wash TIC dirt from tho sacks
carefully, yet with fl. utmost speed.
for there was serious danger " dis
cOvery. It was wonderful This treas.
ure d The ri,het ground since the
days Of 30. 0ul toe meu worked with
shining eyes and hands trrmHlo Tie
gold was coarse and many rrgge7 vel
low Jumps. too large ty pass through
the screen, rolled 10 the hopper while
the aprons belHed with its weight. In
hc pans which they bad provided there
grew cleaning heap NJ wet. raw gold.
shortly. by divergent routes. the part
ncrs rode uuu0tced into town and into
the excitement of Ore loElp news.
while The tar1y SOD fingered over
their breakfasts Jar ont i the road
stead lay tho Roanoke. black smoke
pouring from Der stack s ttg was ~.
turning from its last trip fJ Der.
Glenbter forced h's l8horeJ l1r4s
down 80 The beach and questioned ho
longshOremen who hung about
mo. Its too lato o. yet aboard
the last tender IS on ltg way back 90
they Informed him "If you want 10
50 70 the outside youH have 60 wait
Tor the feet. That only means another
week, and-thore she blows now"
A ribbon Of white mingled with the
.Nelxet from the steamers funnel. and