The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-10-22
CHAPTER XIV.
The Red-Topped Mountain.

ITS dead certain the old dodgers
got somethin' important to tell" said
Mike that night at the camp. as he and
Jerry lay on the ground and smoked
their pipes. He futtered all to
pieces when he told us to 20. !
thought he was goin' TO get up and
chase us away, Good thing that dog
wasn't alive"
ITS n cinch." said Jerry. that he
either has a big secret on his mind
or is crazy. Anybody that would live
down here must have space TO rent In
his noddle. ! suppose Wen have TO
bury that dog"
Shortly after daybreak they arrived
at the old adobe and found the aged
man mumbling TO himself, as though
slightly delirious. Jerry gave him
some whisky and presently HIS eyes
spoke recognition. II was evident that
he was much weaker than when they
left him the day before.
We have come at your bidding.
said Jerry. "and We shall give your
dog a burial"
II knew you would care for my
faithful brother" whispered the aged
man with great effort. The end Is
near-near-near. and ! am going to
tell you all-all that II has taken me
more than so years TO find out-find
out at the last moment" Jerry's ear
was close to his mouth now. for the
voice was very low. There Is no open
trail" the old man went on. "and you
must seek. seek. seek as have sought
There are holes, many OF them, but
they all lead away from II. and
Here his eyelids dropped and the
shadow OF death fell upon his drawn
features. Jerry gently shook him and
touched the whisky bottle TO his lips
again. Il had planned to 20 myself
but II is too late-too late" he went
on with greater effort. Go TO Otto
from whose church steps you will see
towering above all other peaks a
mountain that is red In the light OF the
setting sun. Il Is the only peak that
is red. Follow the trail that leads
from Otto until the base Of the noun
tain is reached. Leave II where red
sandstone lies In the path and &c
through the trees to the north and
then turn-turn-" Here he stopped
and his eyes rolled little.
Go on. go on" excitedly whispered
Jerry. t
"Turn-turn-turn and look FOL
IL"
what is it,"
The San D" The lips OF the ole
man OF the adobe were closed. nevel
to open again. Mike pressed his eal
to the unclothed breast and listened
intently for a minute.
HE is dead" he solemnly whis
pered.
Mike" began Jerry in low tones
'he has given us a lead 10 tho los
San Dimas gold mine! He has tolt
us almost all that II took him mor'
than so years 10 find out! Poor soul.
he went on. looking into the deaf
mans face. sixty years OF searching
with success coming too late. That
a part Of life. guess. Mike"
"And see" said Mike. pointing TO
corner OF the little room. he ha'
everything packed ready TO go there.
| He examined the few effects OF the oh
man and discovered pick and shove
at the bottom of the heap. Hell ge
as good burial as we can give him
anyway, and so will the dog he wen
on. going outside. After burying IN
old man and his dog side by side with
IN few feet OF the entrance TO tn
mud house, they made careful searcl
OF the premises, but found nothin
that indicated success In locating
vast hidden treasure.
Il was decided 10 lose no time 4
trying TO find the red-topped mountai
TO which the old man OF the adobe re
ferred, and a few hours later the
we're going down the river with thei
camping outfit and remaining prov
sions. Jerry's map convinced them tina
IL would be- easy for them TO go dow