The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-11-07
CHAPTER VIII.
THE KNIFE

lowing morning three such members
Of society came around the cabin and
let fall their packs, greeting the occu'
pants boisterously.
"Well, well!' said Lee, coming to the
door. You're %travelin' kind of early.
amt you"
"Yes, early and late,' one of them
laughed, while the other two sprawled
about as If to rest.
"How far are you goin'?"
mot far" the spokesman answered.
1--WE want a piece of this creek"
what are you goin' to do with it?"
"Cut that out, Lee. We're on"
Who wised you up to this?" In
quired the miner angrily.
"Never mind who put us Jerry.
We're here, amt WEI"
The harm was done, and there was
no use in concealment, SO Lee re-
luctantly told them of his discovery
and warned them of the stakes al
ready placed.
'Ill step along with the boys and
show them where u upper stakes
are" volunteered Stark, and Runnion
offered to do the same, adding that it
were best to make sure of no conflict
SO early in the game. The five disap-
peared into the woods, leaving the
others at the cabin to make prepare
lions for the homeward trip.
81 don't like the look Of this" OBJ
served the lieutenant thoughtfully.
I'm afraid there's some kind of a job
on foot"
"There's nothing they a do" Gale
; answered. We've got u ground
staked out, and it's up to them to
choose what's left"
They were nearly ready to set out
for Flambeau when the FIVE men re-
turned.
Before you go" said Stark. II think
we'd better organize q mining dis.
uict. There are enough present to do
It."
"We can make the kind of laws we
want before the gang mi along"
Runnion chimed in, 'and elect a re-
eorder who will give us a square DEAL"
"I'l agree il we give Lee the job"
said Gale. Its coming to him as the
discoverer, and I reckon the money
will be handy, seeing the hard luck
he's played In"
The group assembled in the cleared
space before the cabin to make rules
and regulations governing the district,
for 1t Is a custom in all mining sec
tions removed from authority for the
property holders thus to make local
laws governing the size of claims, the
amount of assessment work, the size
of the recorders fees, the character of
those who may hold mines and such
other questions as arise. :
1t was Of wondrouS interest to Ne
ella to be an integral part of such i'm
portant matters, and she took pride in
voting on every question, but Burrell,
who observed the proceedings from
neutral ground, could not shake of the
notion that all was not right. Things
moved too smoothly. 1t looked as II
there had been a rehearsal. Lee, Po-
leon and the trader, however, seemed
not to notice 1t.
The surprise came when they had
completed the organization Of the dis
trict and had nearly finished adopting
bylaws.
Runnion moved the adoption Of a
rule that no women be allowed to To-
cate mining claims. and n OF the
strangers seconded 1t.
whats that?" said Lee, raising his
one eye from the notebook In which
as secretary he was transcribing the
minutes.
at isn't right to let women in on a
mans game" said Runnion.
THAT'S my idea," echoed the Sec
onder.
II s'pose this is aimed at my girl"
said Gale, springing to his feet. "
might have known you buns were up
to some crooked work."
Poleon likewise rose and ranged him.
self with the trader.
"Ba gar, 1 don STAN for datv' said
he excitedly. "You want for jump
Necia's claims, ehT'
"As long as I'm chairman we'll have
no rough work." declared Stark, glar-
ing at them. "If you want trouble,
you two, 1 reckon you can have it,;
but, whether you do or not, the ma
jority is going to rule, and we'll make
what laws we want to-"
He took no pains now to mask his
dislike for Gale. who began to move
toward him in his logged, resolute
way. Necia, observing them, FASTENED
to her fathers side, for that which
she sensed in the bearing of both men
quite overcame her indignation at this
blow against herself.
"No, no; don't have any troublev
she pleaded as she chung to the trader.
"For my sake, daddy, sit down." Then
she Whispered fiercely into his ear:
Cant you see he's trying to Rake
you fight? There's too many of them.
Wait! Waitw
Burrell attempted-to-s peak-hnt