Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-29

In no time at all a couple Of dozen
miners had gathered to shake hands
and swap news. Naturally their big
gest item was Wilkerson's proclama-
tion Of ownership.
At this Tom Kane laughed scorn-
fully. He derided the papers. ridiculed
the miners for being fools easily taken
in and stated in set terms that he.
Tom Kane actually held the place OF
authority.
This soon came to Wi'ke-son's ears.
and be hurried down t.:e hill TO stop
what he knew TO be a danger, Is secs
sion Instantly The old "ook 10 he'd
horns with him. poohpoohcd him to
his face called him names Of peculiar
virulence and offered to fight him on
any terms.
Before long the camp was in IN up
roar. and it was due 10 certain cooler
heads that trouble did not en>ue im-
mediately. These men insisted that
there was time TO settle the dispute OF
ownership forced WilLerson 10 with
draw his command that kAne ieave
the mine instantly and managed to
bring sembiance Of peace ont or dis
order. Kane bowed his neck TO the
yoke Of their authority. but dispatched
q trusty messenger to the station with
a telegram TO John to come as soon as
possible. WilkerSon resorted TO
scene which was eventually to threat
of tho "NaCfpF
Key" He sent Drake south to confer
with a desperate whom be knew, who
could gather a band Of Mexicans like
himself on short notice. ready for any
thing that promised loot
Tell Jose to be here tomorrow
night" he instructed him. IN want
about twenty men well armed"
Drake rode away as from destruc-
ton. cursing the luck that had put
him in the power of such man.
In response to kanes message John
Dorr, Ruth Gallon and Everett left
Beverly Hills for Silent Valley. They
arrived the third day after the cook.
and from the moment they were recog-
nized the miners dropped their att
tude of sulky waiting and thronged
about their mistress. cheering and
shaking hands. When they had got
into the big house Kane arrived, apron
and all. to report on the situation
Its come to a showdown" he re-
marked. .Wilkerson has several Of
the worthless fellows here and lot
Of half breeds back in the hills. He
/ knows have that money Of yours and
/ he's promised it to the Mexicans II
they help him. You see. Wilkerson
will keep his skirts ciea: that way.
He can say that 1t was a raid by
/ bandits"
bow soon does all this happen"
drawled John.
Kane glanced at him curiously. he
understood that warning not to fright
en- Ruth and went on airily. "Oh. /
reckon just as soon as Wi.kerson gets
Tubbs weaned from that bottle Of his"
But when Ruth had gone to her own
rooms the cook wasted no words in
smoothing things over.
You've got 10 act and act quick"
he told John and Everett. 1t amt
the time for fooling. Tonight may do
the business. for those Mexicans are
impatient. Remember that Wilkerson
has the keys TO the powder house. and
he has all kinds of chance to lay his
traps"
II don't think he expected US so
soon" John remarked.
"A good cook always has grub for
people that drop in unexpected like, I"
was the grim response. Just take q
peek down there now"
Through the window John saw that
the camp was quietly but surely d.
viding into two parties. The elder
miners were gathered about the cook
shanty. Around the Office stood a
dozen or so malcontents half drunk.
under the leadership of Tubbs, who