Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-25

II was through these also that they
learned more specifically the route
taken by the priests in charge of the
idol
Equipped at last, they started forth
and for two days kept pretty closely
TO the river. which wound about
through the hills. mounting slowly to
its source in the mountains.
Several times they heard of Faver-
sham and Dorr, but Wilkerson refus-
cd to turn aside or delay once on the
trail Of the idol. And at last they
came within view of the little caval-
cade which was escorting the god to
a place Of safety.
Vile as were the uien he had hired.
Wilkcrson dared not trust them too
far He knew that they were super
stitious. and he feared that when it
came to u battle between avarice and
Unborn terror of the supernatural he
would be left In the lurch.
So he warned Drake not to appear
too anxious and by no means to let
| their followers know that they intend
ed to seize the image and take it away
with them.
But if the papers are in that idol"
Drake protested. I'VE ought to be able
to get them and replace the old image.
with nobody jot the worse"
That may be possible" was the re-
| Spouse. ION the other hand, the plans
may be concealed so that it will take
time TO find them"
They discussed dozen plans and
! finally decided that the next night the
/ two OF them, accompanied only by
their guide. should make the trial.
But supposing they have the image.
where shall we find it," questioned
Drake They have lot of stuff in
their packs. and you may be sure they
have concealed the idol well. Unless
they feared its being stolen again they
wouldn't be going to all this pains"
"We'l find it all right" was Wilker-
EOn's sole response.
The evening came when they were
10 put their scheme to the test Their
own little company made camp and
after supper gradually went to sleep.
| 1t was 10 o'clock when WilkerSon
nodded TO Drake. and they quit their
places by the dying fire.
| Outside of the circle they met the
man who was to guide them. and one
glance mt his brutal face showed VIII
| kerson that he was once more con
| frontCd with problem.
The man made no bones Of demand.
Ing a large extra sum in cOmpensa-
ton for his risks and intimated with
| extreme plainness that in case his ex,
orbitant blackmail was not paid he
would not only not accompany them,
| but put ii out of their power to go
alone.
For an hour Wilkerson bargained
and haggled, but all to no purpose. At
! last he gave in and practically strip
| ped himself of coin, which the other
| pocketed without thank you.
The three OF them started forth I'M
| der a glimmerlng moon toward the
| priests camp, mile or so away by a
spring.
Half an hours steady tramping
brought them within eyeshot of the
place, and WilkersOn went ahead to
spy out the lay of things.
| When he came back he roughly told
| Drake, in reply to his question. that
the idol must be in one OF the pack
| sacks lying about.
"Its case OF sneak up and get a
sack each OF us and then look for the
idol in IT," he said.
"Al right Drake growled. But
| it's risky business. In case of muss
| wherell we meet againT'
AT our own camp" Wilkerson whls.
pered and led the way.
When they came close 10 the spot
where the natives were asleep the
three OF them paused and listened.
Presently Wilkerson gave silent
signal that no one was awake, and
they crept mp among the baggage. -.
The first two sacks yielded nothing
and Wilkerson was reaching out for
one that seemed bulkier than the rest
when their guide coughed and instant.
| ly a couple Of the priests Weakened.
Seeing strangers, they gave an alarm,
and one, apparently soldier, fred of
an ancient musket so close TO Drake
that he incontinently dropped his bur
| den and fed
He heard Wilkerson cursing behind
I him. couple 81 more shots and then
I took Ia his heels in good earnest as he
/ heard rapid footsteps.
1 A moment later Wilkerson had
/ caught up 10 him, painting and drag
ging the sack. which he had refused
1 10 surrender,
! Between them they carried II on fur
ther and then rested In a slight hollow
IeSnnAeSaS-&-