The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-02-20

they feared its being stolen again they
wouldn't be going to all this palms,
"We'll find 1t all right" was Wilker-
sons sole response.
The evening came when they were
TO put their scheme to the test. Their
own little company made camp and
after supper gradually went to sleep.
IL 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 at his brutal face showed VIII
kerson that he was once more con.
fronted with n problem.
The man made no bones of demand
ing a large extra sun in compensa-
ton for his risks and intimated with
extreme plainness that in case his ex.
orbitant bIackmail was not paid he
would not only not accompany them,
but put 1t out of their power to go
alone.
For an hour Wllkerson 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 a thank you.
The three Of them started forth I'M.
der a glimmering moon toward the
spring.
Half an hours steady tramping
brought them within eyeshot OF the
place, and Wilkerson went ahead 10
spy out the lay of things.
When he came back he roughly told
Drake, In reply to his question. that
the idol must be i'm one OF the pack
sacks lying about.
Its n case of sneak up and get a
sack each OF us and then look for the
idol In It," he said.
"Ali rightl'' Drake growled. But
It's risky business. In case OF n muss
where'H we meet againf'
"At own camp" Wilkerson whis
percd and led the way.
When they came close TO the spot
where the natives were asleep the
three OF them paused and listened.
Presently Wilkerson gave a silent
signal that no one was awake, and
they crept up among the baggage.
The first two sacks yielded nothing
and Wilkerson was reaching out fol
one that seemed bulkier than the rest
when their guide coughed and instant
ly a couple OF the priests wakened.
Seeing strangers, they gnye an alarm
a md nnn unnurnnfIu a cnl1taF HrnI nH
an ancient musket so close to Drake
that he incontinently dropped his bur
den and fed.
lie heard Wilkerson cursing behind
him. a couple OF more shots and ther
took to his heels In good earnest as hi
heard rapid footsteps.
A moment later Wilkerson hat
caught up to him, painting and drag
ging the sack. which he had refused
to surrender.
Between them they carried 1t on fur
her and then rested in a slight hollow
till their guide came up.
IF the idol isn't In this sack" VIII
kerson said with a smart. "I1l go bacl
and shoot up the whole outfit and
get It."
When the thongs were cut and tn,
great bag opened the first object tina
net their eyes was the image they
sought. glimmering In the half light.
The moment he saw IL and knew
that his quest was ended Wilkersol
flung the rest of the stun away ant
boldly got to his feet.
Now for our W camp. Well jus
see where those plans are" he growled
Drake and the guide both proteste,
In vain.
Safely away from pursuit. they liz
light and examined their find.
Its the same one" Wilkerson SAT,
triumphantly.
Made OF metal. too" said Drak'
slowly. "Now, where are the plansr"
: Inside or it, announced his com
!, panion, beating on the idol with hi
: knuckles. Now to find out the open
ing"
Ii did not take long for him to dis
cover the movable eye. and when b
had pulled that out he thrust his fn
ger In and withdrew 1t with a folde'
paper.
Safe and sound" he exulted, droT
ping the image to the ground. wher