Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-09-16

made straight for his shanty. Within
five minutes he had Invested himself
of his black clothes and donned his
official overalls and apron. Then he
appeared on the porch as calm and un.
concerned as though he had not been
away.
In no time at all Il couple of dozen
miners had gathered to shake hands
and swap news. Naturally their big
gest item was Wilkerson's proclama-
ton 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 Wilkerson's ears.
and he hurried down the hill to stop
what he knew to be a dangerous seces-
sion. Instantly the old cook locked
horns with him, poohpoohed him to
his face, called him names Of peculiar
virulence and offered to fight him Oh
any terms.
Before long the camp was in an up
roar, and it was due to certain cooler
heads that trouble did not ensue i'm
mediately. These men insisted that
there was time to settle the dispute of
ownership, forced Wilkerson to with
draw his command that Kane leave
the mine instantly and managed to
bring Il semblance of peace out of dis
order. Kane bowed his neck to the
yoke of their authority, but dispatched
a trusty messenger to the station With
a telegram to John to come is 0 0 as
possible. Wilkerson resorted to Il
scene which was eventually to threat
en- the very existence Of the Master
Key" He sent Drake south to confer
with a desperate whom he knew, who
could gather Il band Of MeXicans like
himself Oh short notice, ready for any
thing that promised loot.
Tell Jose to be here tomorrow
night" he instructed him. ''Ill 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 Il man.
In response to Kane's message JohI
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 atti
tude of sulky waiting and throngeC
about their mistress. cheering an(
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 a lot
Of half breeds back in the hills. He
knows I have that money of yours. an(
he's promised it to the Mexicans il
they help him. You see, Wilkersor
will keep his skirts clea: that way
BANDITS
How 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, J
reckon just as soon as Wilkerson gets
Tubbs Weaned from that bottle Of his
But when Ruth had gone to her OWL
rooms the cook wasted no words il
smoothing things Yer.
You've got to act and act quick
he told John and Everett. 1T AIM
the time for fooling. Tonight may dc
the business. for those MeXicans are
impatient. Remember that Wilkersor
has the keys'to the powder house, ant
he has all kinds of chance to @ay his
traps"
Il don't think he expected us sc
soon," John remarked.
"a good cook always has grub fol
people that drop in unexpected like
was the grim response. Just take ;
peek down there now"
Through the window John saw tina,
the camp was quietly but surely di
viding into two parties. The eide
miners were gathered about the cool
shanty. Around the Office stood +;
dozen or so ~malcontents half drunk
under the leadership Of Tubbs, VIII