The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-06-18

1.-THE idol isn't there any longer" Drake
continued.
but white man who lives with the
natives limited that they had taken II
up the river into the hills"
With this slight clew both Drake
and WilkersOn toiled unweariedly I'M
til they had established the fact that
the idol had indeed been sent into an.
other part of the country for safe keep
ing
Then they prepared to follow, hav-
ing found out that Dorr and Faver-
sham had vanished and were suppos-
ed also to have gone hillward
Mrs. Darnell most unwillingly con-
scented to stay behind. but yielded
when Drake set before her the diff
culties and perils of the road they
must take.
Both men promised to be gone only
so long as would be needful to recover
the idol, and to both separately she
made 1t plain that she had gone as far
as she would in helping them.
The two men found couple of half
bloods to their liking and by judicious
expenditure of money managed to get
together a small band to accompany
them into the hills
1t was impressed upon them that the
trip was dangerous and that the hill
men frequently dropped what small
pretense they offered of peaceabenesn
and warred on friend and foe alike.
1t 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
ed to turn aside or delay once on the
trail of the idol. And at last thew
came within view of the little cavoi.
cade which was escorting the god to
a place of safety.
Vile as were the men he had hired
Whkerson dared not trust them too
far He knew that they were super
sddous, and he feared that when II
came to battle between avarice and
Unborn terror of the supernatural he
would be left in the lurch.
So he warned Drake not TO onnnor
too anxious and by no means to LET
their followers know that they intend.
ed to seize the image and take Itavav
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. "On 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 tho
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"
wei 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 % sleep.
1t was 10 o'clock when Wiikersop
nodded 70 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 a problem.
The man made no bones Of demand.