The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-02-15

bunk, he reached the deck in time to
meet a half-naked white man clamb-
ering UP the gangway. In fash
Hayes recognized the figure OF his
| boatswaln. Tom Emery. who had de-
| sorted from the schooner only a
! month before.
With single exception. Emery's
experiences ashore had been similar
| to others who had deserted their
ships In the hope Of finding gold. He.
| had found employment NJ a big min
ing camp in the hills
During his labors the boatswain
had become suspicious OF the large
| quantities OF gold escorted from the
workings OF big Chinese syndicate
near by. One night he shadowed the
| coolie escort from the mine to the
door OF small temple situated al the
head OF gully about mile from
the camp. The Cinnamon took
| charge OF the gold blocks, and, ac-
cording to Emery, the whole con-
signment OF metal was afterward
rIveted to the feet of an iron dragon
that stood on the altar within the
| shrine
For a long time Hays paced the
|
thought of so much wealth lying With
In reach filled him with tigcrish i'm
patience.
Those Chiuamen' he muttered
would wake the whole continent II
they sighted US inside their joss
| house"
"Try 'em with a suckin pig. Cap'n'
| suggested Emery. "A pig has been
known to bluff Chinky where
| gun only fooled the show"
A glimmertng OF Emery's idea grad
ually went through the buccaneers S
mind. and after one or two inquiries
concerning the pigs whereabouts, he
| agreed finally to accompany him the
| following night TO the temple at the
head Of the gully
The piglet had been gagged and
muffled to prevent it squcalng. and
as Emery gained the fiat roof he drew
/ the sack after him and approached
the skylIght on all fours.
Hayes stopped In the shadows and
waited.
An unmistakablc sound came from
the Roof followed by the boatswain's
hoarse mutterings, then sharp sQucalS
echoed In rapid succession. as ii the
released pig had struck the alter In
its descent through the skylight.
A clattering of sandaled feet was
| heared In the temple doorway; voices
charged with anger and surprise
reached Hayes as the two guardians
Of the shrine dashed toward the alter
and sized the rioting intruder
The buccaneer crawled forward and
slipped through the open door into
the temple At the alter he paused,
and glared at the dragons outline
perched on It's vestings OF gold. TAX
ing Jimmy from his pocket he work
cd II under the massive blocks OF
metal until the woodwork cracked and
split under the tremendous leverage.
The dragon tilted suddcnly and leaned
Oh its side With almost superhuman
strength the buccaneer hauled II to
his shoulder and staggered to the
open door OF the shrine,
Emery was beside him in a fash.
and together they bore the unwiedlv
Iron monster down n deep sde-tracly.
where the stiff kangaroo grass lacer-
ated their ankles at every stride
A small stone building showed sud
denly through the darkness. Peering
inside the deserted building. Hayes
saw that it had been once used as
smelling house. a small brick fur
mace stood opposite the door: further
examination revealed an Iron ladle
lying on top OF some fluxing ore.
Striking match cautiously Hayes
examined the massive blocks of gold
the feet of the iron monster. 1T
would take bullock dray to shift II
through the hills he said bitterly
And Ii we leave IL here until tomor.
row night some of those black track
ers at the Chinese camp will ferret
IL out"
"Smelt II I'D the crucibe." sue-
gested Emery. "The goldll run 10
the bottom of the pot; the iron part
can he thrown awav."
A heap Of coke stood near the fur-
mace. and with some dry wood from n
stock outside. the boatswain soon had
a drauft-fed fire roaring up the wide
bricked flew. Hayes. regarding the
glowing fire with interest. turned
TO the shopping boatswaiD hurriedly
"You'd better make your way 10
the schooner and bring back a couple
OF sacks We can leave here at day.
break. and nobody will be the wiser"
Throwing a final armful of coke in
the furnace, Emery departed noise.
lcssly In the direction Of the sreek.
1t occurred 10 HAYES suddenly that
il would be an easy matter 10 run tho
metal into shallow trench scooped
out OF the floor The earth would
make an excellent mould for the gold
bars.
STOPPING near the door. he listened
with his shoulder against the panel,
scarce daring TO breathe Something
WAS pressing the door from the out
side. and for fraction OF time he al.
lowed 1t 10 open about n NTH of an
inch A naked Cbinaman was stand.
ing outside. md the light rays from
the furnace flashed suddenly In his
eyes. Swift as panther. Hayes
reached for his throat and missed: i
the pig-tailed head ducked nimbly |
and vanished
A shrill. wailiag sound came from |
the nenr tl-tree. a sobblng noise that |
resembled tn Hrst rush OF dingo |
pack. 1t broke suddenly from the |
scrub, and with il a score OF lean !
hippod Mongolians dancing In their
rage. flashing their mine lamps over
the glittering quartz heaps In front of |
the smelling house.
What followed hannaned in Tho