White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-25

neu tie uOOf To just us II seCOnu udll
of bullets ratified on its surface. Then
he stared at the man opposite him.
"Wilkerson." he gasped.
YES. lis me-" was the snarling re-
Spouse. what are you doing here?"
Some hillmen took us for enemies
and chased is pretty much all day
long" Dorr explained. I'VE saw this
hut, and when it was dark enough to
conceal our movements we made for
it"
And now you can make for some
other place" Wilkerson said, handling
his revolver meaningly.
John laughed.
Il feel myself that the place is too
small for both of us. But it's white
man against native now. IL they get
me they'll get you. Our only hope Is
to stick together now"
"Ill see you dead firsti' snarled the
other.
But Drake spoke up and silenced
him.
while you two are fighting for the
benefit of the servants those hillmen
are preparing to assault the hut"
A long look through a crack showed
the hillmen closing up about them, and
Wilkerson gave in with n bad grace.
He was glad of the help. however,
when the firing grew hotter and they
were hard pressed in the hut.
The natives proved themselves ar
rant towards. and 1t depended on the
three white men to defend the place.
This they did with such success that
their assailants slowly withdrew.
Now Is the time for a sortie," said
Dorr. We've got to drive them clean
away from here or else We'll be as bad
~ off as ever"
Wilkerson and Drake agreed, and
John promptly led them out In a wild
rush against the nearest hillmen.
These were so surprised at the bold
ness of the maneuver that they fed,
and soon the coast was clear except
for a few too badly wounded to join
in their comrades fight.
Now that the immediate peril vas
past, Wilkerson and Dorr found them
selves again antagonists.
Jul " 81 i(N AhoA W
one accord they silently consented to a
truce.
Yet WiIkerson could not resist taunt-
ing his rival.
1T looks as If you were always a
little late he said. throwing himself
back in a settle while John dropped
upon a stool by the table.
81 heard you got the idol" John re-
piled in IA dull tone.
Eyes, and what was in the idol tooT'
Then. despite brakes gestures of re-
monstrance. he went on: Il got the
deeds and the master key and the
idol and the plans Tom Gallon robbed
me of. | guess I'm ahead In this
game"
John nodded. his fatigue so great
that he was unable even to reply.
81 guess that's right" said Wilker-
son in an altered tone. well catch q
little needed sleep and get away be.
fore daylight. Time enough then to
talk
For a little while both men kept their
eyes open, watchful each of the other.
Wilkerson was the first to laugh and
say: whats the use? I've got the
things and the men to defend them
I'm going to sleep You'd better do so
too. Drake will keep watch"
John nodded carelessly aud laid his
head on his hands, folded on the table.
A moment later he was asleep. and
not long afterward Wiikerson's satur-
nine visage was turned to the shad-
owy ceiling.
Drake sat in a corner on the pack
sacks. his revolver In hand.
The natives slumbered across from
him. apparently oblivious of any dan
ger.
When the hut was completely quiet
except for the breathing of the sleep
ers Drake allowed himself to fall into
a deep reyerie.
Now that the quest was practically
ended he had begun TO think about his
own part In Ii and reckon on his re-
ward.
Long association with Wilkerson had
shown him that he had nothing to eX-
pect from him unless by an appeal to
his se~lfshness,
There was but one person who might
reward him-the woman they both
loved, Jean Darnell.
His mind went back to his first days
Of acquaintance with her In New York