Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-10-31
The Spoilers.
BY REX E. BEACH.
Copyright 1906. by Rex L. Beach.
CHAPTER XIX-CONTINUED

yigilantes debouched and went Into the
darkness of the canyon behind their
leader to whom the trails were famil-
lar. He babe them pause finally ana
gave his last instructions.
"They are on the alert, so you want
TO be careful Divide into two parties
and close in from both sides, creeping
as near to the pickets as possible with
out discovery. Remember TO walt for
the last blast When 1t comes. cut
loose and charge like Sioux. Don't
shoot to kill at first, for they're only
soldiers and under orders, but II they
stand--well, every man must do his
work"
Dextry appealed to the dim figures
forming the circle.
81 leave 1t to you, gents, II 1t amt
better for me TO 90 inside than Tor
the boy. I've had more experience
with giant powder an I'm SO blamed
used up an near gone It wouldn't hurt
II they did get me, while he's right In
his prime
Glenlster stopped him. IL won't
yield the privilege. Come now-to
your places, men,"
They melted away to each side while
the old prospector paused to wiring his
partners hand.
I'D ruther II was me, lad, but II
they get you-God help 'emr' He
stumbled after the departing shadows.
leaving Roy alone. with his naked
fingers, Glenister ripped open the
powder cases and secreted the contents
upon his person. Each cartridge held
dynamite enough to devastate a vii
pockets, inside his shirt and every
where that he had room, till he was
burdened and cased in an armor one
hundredth part Of which could have
blown him from the face of the earth
80 utterly as TO leave no trace except,
perhaps, pit ripped out Of the noun.
tain side. He looked to his fuses and
saw that they We're wrapped In oil
paper, then placed them In his hat.
Having finished, he set out, walking
with difficulty under the weight he
carried.
That his choice Of location had been
well made was evidenced by the fact
that the ground beneath his feet slop-
cd away TO basin out of which bub-
bled a spring. 1t furnished the drink
Ing supply Of the Midas, and he knew
every inch of the crevice II had worn
down the mountain, so felt his way
cautiously along. At the bottom Of the
hill where 1t ran out upon the level II
had worn a considerable ditch through
the soil. and into this he crawlcd on
hands and knees. His bullying clothes
handicapped him so that his gait was
slow and awkward, while the rails had
swclled the streamlct till 1t trickled
over his calves and up to his wrists,
! chilling him SO that his muscles cramp-
ed and his very bones cried out with
II. The sharp schlst cut into his palms
till they We're shredded and bleeding,
while his knees found every Jagged
bit of bedrock over which lie dragged
| himself. He could not see an arms
length ahead without rising, and, hav-
freedom of movement, the rain beat
upon his back till he was soaked and
sodden and felt streamlets cleaving
| downward between his ribs. Now and
| again he squatted upon his launches.
stralning his eyes to either side. The
banks were barely high enough to
shield him. At last he came to II bridge
of planks spanning the ditch and was
about to rear himself for another look
when he suddenly fattened into the
stream bed, half damming the waters
with his body. 1t was for this he had
30 carefully wrapped his fuses. A man
passed over him so close above that he
might have touched him. The sentry
paused a few PAGES beyond and accost-
ed another, then retraced his steps
over the bridge. Evidently this was
the picket line, so Roy wormed his
way forward till he saw the blacker
blackness of the mine buildings, then
drew himself, dripping, out from the
bank. He had run the gantlet safely.
Since evicting the owners, the receiv-
err had erected substantial houses In
place of the tents he had found on the
mine. They were of frame and CORFU
gated iron, sheathed within and suited
to withstand moderate exposure.
| The partners had witnessed the opera
ton from distance, but knew nothing
about the buildings from close exami-
nation.
A thrill OF affection for this place
warmed the young man. He loved this
old mine. 1t had realized the dream of
his boyhood and had answered the
hope he had chung to during his long
fight against the northland. 1t had
come to him when he was dishearten-
ed, bringing cheer and happiness, aud
had yielded Itself like bride. Now II
seemed crime to ravage IT.,
Ito Be ContinueO