The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-10-24
81 The Barrier :
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Gale knew instinctively that the fell
low was lying, for his hands were not
those Of a miner, but there was moth
fed, however, when Poleon drew him
aside later and said:
Hes bad man." -
How do you know"
She's leave Dawson d-n queeck.
Dose mounted police t'row i'm on de
boat JUS before we lef'." Then he told
a story that he had heard. The man, 1t
seemed. had left Skagway between two
suns, upon the disruption of Soapy
Smiths band Of desperadoes, and had
made for the interior, but had been In
tercepted at the pass by. two members
Of the citizens committee who came
upon him suddenly. Pretending to
Yield, he had executed some unexpect-
ed coup as he delivered his gun, for
both men fell, shot through the body.
No one knew just what it was he did
nor cared to question him overmuch.
The next heard of him was at Lake
Bennett, ver the line, where the
mounted police recognized him and
sent him on. They marked him well,
however, and passed him on from post
to post as they had driven others
whose records we're known, but he had
lost himself in the confusion at Daw-
son for a few weeks until the scarlet
coated riders searched him out. dis
armed him and forced him suIlenly
aboard this steamer.
Old Man Gale cared little for this,
for he had spent his life among such
scheme outlined itself in his head.
Evidently the man dared not go far
Their down the river, for there was
nothing save Indian camps and a mis-
sion or two this side Of st. Michael's,
and at that point there were a court
and many soldiers. where one was liza
BILE to meet the penalty Of past mis-.
deeds; hence he was probably resolved
to stop here, and, judging by his rec
ord, he was a man of unsettled con-
| victions.
The trader stepped to the door and,
seeing Burrell on the deck Of the
. steamer, went down toward him. 1t
was a long chance, but the stakes were
big and worth the risk. He had
thought much during the night pre-
vious-in fact, for many hours-and
the morning had found him still unde-
cided, wherefore he took this course.
"Necia tells me that you aim to keep
law and order here" he began abrupt
", having drawn the young man aside.
"Those are my Instructions said
Burrell, but they are so vague
Well, this camp Is bigger than 1t
was an hour ago. and 1t amt i'm
proved any in the growth. Yonder
goes the new citizen" He pointed to
the stranger. who had returned to the
steamer for his baggage and was de-
scending the gangplank beneath them,
a valise in each hand. Hes a thief
and a murderer, and we don't wan
him here. Now, it's up to you"
II don't understand" said the lieu
tenant, whereupon the trader told him
Doret's tale. You and your men were
sent here to keep things ~peaceable."
he concluded, land I reckon when a
man is too tough for the Canuck police
he is tough enough for you to tackle.
There amt a lock and key in the
! camp. and we amt had a killing or a
stealing in ten years. We'd like to
keep 1t that way"
well o see. l know nothing Of
that shooting ARRAY, $ % I doubt II my
authority would permit me to inter
fere,' the soldier unused, half to him
| self.
II allowed you were to use your own
Judgment" said the elder man.
$50 l am. l suppose. There is u
chance. MIR. Gale. II you'll back me up
I'll send him on down to st. Michael's.
That is the most I can do"
The lieutenant outlined his plan. and
as he went on the trader nodded ap-
prevail er
The young man gazed back at him
so squarely, his eyes were &c pleasant
and friendly, his whole person breath
ed such straight up honesty and fresh
ness that shame arose in the old man,
and he had hard shift to keep his
glance from wavering. Without fore
thought he answered impulsively:
"He's desperate and he's dangerous.
I sold him a 45 just now" He was
about to tell him where the man wore
1t and to add a word concerning his
dexterity with the gun when the very
fearless deliberation of the youth de-
tered him. On second thought Gale
yielded to al impulse to wait and see
how Meade Burrell. would act under
fire. If the soldier emerged scathless
it would give him a line on his charac-
ter. If he did not-weII, that would
be ven better.
The crowd was coming back to the
steamer. which had discharged her
few bundles Of freight, and there was
no n inside the log post as they en-
tered except Doret and the stranger,
who had deposited his baggage at the
rear and was talking with the French
man at the bar. At sight Of the lieu