New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-15
CHAPTER XIV.
Moving 4 Shack

Moving Shack
ESS than a week had passed since BOstwiCk s ar
IL rival in Golde but excitement rife in the air
Despite the angered protests of half a thousand min
ing men, the fastener, with four of the shrewdeSt
prospectors in the State had traversed the entire
mineral region Of the reservation in the utmost secur
ity and assurance Five hundred had been
forced remain the border the points of official
guns few desperate adVeuturerS had Crept through
the guard but nearly all presently captured and
elected from the place, while Bostwick. granted
special privileges, assuming this inside track
The day for the opening of the lands less than
weeks of; and the news leaked out and spread
like wind that the Laughing Water claim had sud
denly promised amazing wealth as a placer. where
Van and his partners were taking out gold by the
simplest, most primitive OF methods
The rush for the region came like a stampede of
cattle. An army OF men went swarmlng over the
ridges and overran the country like plague of ants
They trooped across the border of the reservation
so close the Laughing Water claim; they staked
out all the visible world above, below and all about
Vans property they tore down each others mOnu-
ments. including number where Van had located
protective claims. and they built tent town
overnight, not mile from his first discovery.
At the claim the the fortunate holders of a
private treasury of gold had lost time. In the
absence of better lumber for which they had no
money, Van and his partners had torn down the
shatthouSe made II INTO SuiceS, and turned IN the
water from the stream That was al ne plant
quired They had then shoveled the gravel into the
troughlike boxes and the gold had begun to lodge
behind the rifles
The cove became a theater Of curiosity, envy and
covetous longngs Men came there by motor.
horses, mules and on loot, 10 take one deTiOuS look
and rush madly about improve what chances still
remained The fame of II swept like prairie fire far
and wide The new-made town began at once to
spread and encroach upon all who careless of
their holdings LawlesSneSs rampant
At the cabin the Laughing Water claim Algy,
the Chinese cook was still disabled Gettysburg was
chief culinary artist Napoleon hustled for grub the
only supplies Of which at Goldite-and
expensive All were constantly exhausted with the
labors of the day.
DESPITE their vigilance. they awoke morning
- 10 see brand new cabin standing the claim
at the top of a hill. the rough pine
roof, rapidly laying weather paper. Van watched him
for a moment then quietly walked over 10 the site
Say, friend, he called the man on ne roof
you We broken into Eden by mistake + lis prop
erty mine and haven't any building lots TO sell
The visiting builder took Ige revolver and
laid it a block He said nothing all Van felt
his Impotence rising.
I'm talking TO YOU Mr. Carpenter" he added
Come on, nowl | don't want trouble with neigh
bors but this cabin will have TO be moved"
Go TO blazesi" said the builder He continued
TO pound in his mans
Il go" said Van calmly III bring little back
Are you going to move, or be moved"
Don't talk to me; I'm busy" answered the in
truder. I'm irritable man, and everything |
is irritable Understand" and taking up his
gun he thumped with it briskly on the boards
" If you re looking for trouble - Van replied, you
won't need double barreled glass "
He turned away, and the man continued operations
When he came to the shack Van selected a hammer
and couple of drills from among lot of tools in the
To his partners questions To what the visitor
intended he replied that only time could tell
:" Here. Nap he added fetching forth the tools
- want you to take this Junk and go up where the