The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-05-21

UuIllS was Ous ne DEOhe Tue SllenC6
by saying grufly. Call 'em up here,
Bil!'
Nothing loath. Tubbs went out on
the porch, and his hoarse tones re-
sounded through the little valley. In
stuAtly men appeared from doorways,
came from a dozen places in response
to that call. And women, clutching
heir children. peered out to see what
was in the air.
When the men were gathered before
him WilkersOn stepped forward and
commenced to speak. He could not
break their sullen silence, and after a
few words of generalities. he mustered
his courage and shouted: II am the
owner of this mine! I have the deeds
right hereI''
The effect Of this was far other than
he had expected. Not a murmur came
from the still. motionless throng. 1t
was as If they had not heard him. In
lower tone he repeated 1t, 81 am the
owner Of the Master Key mine and all
that goes with itr'
He held up the papers, and Bill
Tubbs looked at them and gravely nod
ded his head, as much as to say that
he had inspected them and could vOuch
for their authenticity. Still no sound
from the miners.
There is quality in the silence of
the crowd Of earnest men that is more
questioning than any word could be.
The men who had worked and toiled
for old Tom Gallon, who had been de-
ceived and batfled. who had had their
loyalty tested to the utmost. now de-
manded through their imperious ST.
lence that Wilkerson open up his mind
to them. II he was indeed the owner
Of the Master Key" what did he In
tend to dor
You'd better say some more quick
ly," warned Drake In low tone. And
Wilkerson. completely bewidered. set
the match to the powder. He stepped
forward with as ugly a look as he
could assume and cried, "Now tell me
what you wantY'
Instantly the air was filed with
roars Of rage and disappointment.
Fifteen minutes later Harry Wilker
son was sweating within the cabin.
With a shaking hand he poured him
self ont Il tumbler of Tubbs' whisky.
He had promised the miners back pay
steady work. full wages and food. He
must make good, and he did not know
how.
''Tubbs.' he said sharply, you must
find out what men we can trust. Say
nothing. but get all the information
you can. I'll make 1t worth the while
Of the men who'll stick by me-"
Again the engineer chuckled fatuOus-
ly. They'll all stick by ye," he said
sagely, "s'long as We pay 'em like you
said We would"
1t was late in the afternoon when
Tom Kane appeared on the mali wag-
on. The driver had already informed
him of how affairs were going, and
the cook wasted no time. He climbed
down from the high seat jerked his
battered case out of the wagon and
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 I'M
concerned as though he had not been
away.
In no time at ali 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
A.sI Nr, a IN
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 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 on
any terms.
Before long the camp was In nm up
roar. and 1t 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 !eave
the mine Instantly and managed to
bring semblance Of peace out OF dis
order. Kane bowed his neck to the
yoke Of their authority, but dispatched
trusty messenger to the station with
a telegram TO John to come rs soon as
possible. Wilkerson resorted to a
scene which was eventually to threat
en- the very existence of the Master
Key" He sent Drake south to confer
with Desperate whom he knew, who
could gather band of Mexlcans like
himself on short notice, ready for any
thing that promised loot
'srel Jose to be here tomorrow
night" he instructed him. I'll want
about twenty men well armed"
Drake rude away rs from destruc-
ton, vurSlng the luck that had put
him In Ih,. nnMer Of such u man.