Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-04-19
CHAPTER VII.

reached the cabin, and Burrell
rose nervously and sauntercd
to the door. Uncertain how this affair
might terminate, he chose 10 get first
look Mt his enemies. II they should
prove to be such, realizing the advan-
tagc that goes to n man who stands
sduarely on both feet. Then he heard
Lee say:
swell, I'll be ID! Somebody's
here ahead Of u.s."
"we've been beatenr' growled Stark
angrIly, pushing past him and coming
around the cornc-. an ugly look In his
eyes
'"Good afternoon" Burrell nodded
pleasantly.
Lee answered him unintelllglbly.
Stark said nothing, but Runnion's OK.
clamatlon was plain.
ats that cursed blue belly" ''
"when did you get here?" said Stark
after Il pause.
"a few hours ago"
GLOW did you Gomez asked Lee.
''Black Bear creek" said the soldier
CURLY, at which Runnlon broke into
profanity.
"Bcttcr hush" Burrcll ndmonshed
him. There's lady inside" And at
that instant Nccia showed her laugh.
Ing face under his arm, while the
trader uttered her name In amaze
ment. LYu H
"Lunch is ready" she said. We've
been expecting you for quite awhile"
"Ba gar! OATS funny ting for
sure" said Polcon. who toll you
bout dis strike. eh?''
"Niothcr. made her." the girl an
swerel. .,.-,
take of your packs and come In. -
Burrcll invited, but Stark strobe for.
ward.
Hold on minute. This don't look
good to me. You say your mother told
you. suppose you're Old Man Gales
other daughter. chT'
Nccia nodded.
"what time OF day was It when you
learned about thls?"
"Cut that out" roughly INTERCEPTED
Gale. "Do you think double crossed
your"
The other turned upon him.
ut looks that way. and intend to
fad out. You said yesterday you
hadn't told anybody"
81 didn't think about the woman,
said the trader, trihe disconnected,
whcreupon Runnion gave vent TO an
ironlcal sheer.
"But here's your girl and this man
ahead OF us. suppose there's Others
on the way too" =
"Nonsense!" Burrell cut In.
81 call It sleek work." chuckled the
Canadian, slipping out Of his straps
"De mex tam go stampcdln' ! tax
you long, Nccia."
"Mc, too" said Lee. "And now III
goln' TO tear into some Of them beans
I smell a-billn' In yonder."
The others followed, although Starl
| and Runnion looked black and had III
| tie to say. II was an uncomfortable
meal. Every one was I'll ut ease. Cali
In particular was quiet and ate les'
| than any of them. His eyes sough
Stark's face frequently, and once TIN
blood left his checks aud his eye
blazed rs he observed the gamble
boldly cying Necia.
"You are Il mighty good looking CIR
for blood" remarked Stark nj last
"Thank YOU" she replied simply, au,
the soldiers dislike of the man crystal
lied Into hate on the instant. Their
was tone back OF his words tina
seemed aimed at the trader, Mead
thought, but Gale showed no sign o
1t. so the meal was finished In silence
after which the five bclatcd prospect
ors went out TO make their locations
for the fear OF Interruption was upO
them now.
First they went downstream, anI
according TO their agreement, the trad
or staked FIRST followed by Poleon an
Stark. thus throwing luminous claiI
more than mile distant from Lee
discovery. From here they went II
the creek to find the girls other loci
tlons, one ON each branch, ut whic
Stark sneeringly remarked that sh
had pre-empted enough ground for
full grown white woman.
Runnion's dlspleasure was even moi
open, and he fell into foul mouthe
mutterIngs, addressing himself to P'
leon and Stark while the trader wa
out Of earshot.
"ThIs affair don't smell right, and
still think its frame.up"