The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-30

 own safety rather than for Winthrops He finally gave up that idea, grumbling something about becoming plumb soft in his feelin's since he took to asso ciatin' with sassietyf folks" Howeve, had Winthrop been of the west an seasoned in its more rugged way Overland would have thought little the young mans share in recent events. While he knew that Winthrop looked upon their venture as nothing more than a rather keenly exciting game, Overland realized also that the customer had played the game royal ly. Perhaps the fact that Winthrop's health was not of the best appealed to some hidden sentiment in the tramp's peculiar nature.
 Far in the south speck moved. al most imperceptbly. The tramp's keel eyes told him that this was no horse man. He rolled a cigarette and lay back in the. shade of bowlder. Hes a couple of points of his course, but he can't miss the range" he reflected. Desiring to assure himself that no horseman followed winthrop, Overland Red made no sign that night help the other to find the trail over the range. The rim of Winthrop's hat became dis tinguishable; then the white lacing of his boots. Nearer, Overland saw that his face was drawn and set with lines of fatigue.
 No riders appeared on the horizon. Overland stepped out from behind the rock. "Well, how did you make it?' he called.
 Winthrop came forward wearily. '.No luck at all."
 Couldn't find it, ehP'
 'T counted every tie between the tank and that little ditch under the track. The entire stretch has been re laid with new ties"
 Overland whistled. Then he grinned. "You had a good healthy walk, any how," he observed.
 .rIt doesn't seem to worry you much" :" said Winthrop.
 Nope. Now you're back, it don't. reckon you done your best. Angels can do no less. Buck up, Billy! You are limpern a second hand porous plas- ter. Here, take a shot at this. That will stinen your knees some. Did you meet up with anybody" =
 Mot a soul. I thought I should agine the desert could get so cold"
 "Never mind," said Overland Red. "Tve struck it rich here" And he ex- plained at length.
 Do you remember" replied Win throp, "that said, day or two ago, that shouldn't be surprised if the lost gold were in the tery canyon where we camped? I claim precedence of divinaton, autosuggestion and right of eminent domain. I shall not waive my prerogative."
 T never owned one," said Overland. "But afore I'll let you come any style over me I'll have one made with a silk linin' and di,rnonds in the buttons jest as soon as the claim gets to payin' good. Say, pardner, it's free gold and coarse. wisht Collie was here-the little cuss."
 Collier?
 "Uhuh! The kid I was tellin' you about that I adopted back in Albu- querQue. He's got share in this here deal by rights. He invested his eight rollers and four bits in the chances of my 1ndin' the stuff. It was all the coin he had at the time You see, I was campin' up on the Moonstone for a change of air. and Collie and me had a meetin' of the board of d1ssectors. The board votes unanimous to invest the paid in capital in a suit of new jeans for the president, which was me. I got 'em on now. You see, I had to be dollied up to look the part 50 could catch come on and get me grubstake"
 "I see," said Winthrop, his gray eyes twinkling. "And I was the coOe on?
 What are you going to do with those thipgsT asked Winthrop after they had inspected the abandoned camp. Not burn them?'
 Yep; every strap and tie string replied Overland, gathering together the dead prospectors few effects "Cause why? Well, Billy, if this clain aifyt filed on-and reckon it ain't- why, we files on her as the origina Iocators. Nobody gets wise to any thing, and it saves the chance of get tin jumped The bunch over ther' woul6 make it interestin' for us i they knowed we was goin' to file ol it. They'd put up fight by law, an' mebby one not by law. Sabe?"
 "I think so. Going to burn that lit tle-er-cradle arrangement tooT
 Yep. Sorry, 'canse it's wood, an' wood is wood here. That little rocke is a cradle. all right, for rockin' ther yeIla babies in and then out. Tn hand that rocks that cradle har, enough rules the world, as the pot says"
 They worked steadily until evening They stakcd out their respective an adjoining claims, dropped the ruste tools in a bottomless crevice and rc moved the last shred and vestige of