Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-21
The
Yukon Trail
(Continucd)
by William Macleod Raine

Macdonald's lieutenant got busy
at once with plans to abduct Holt,
We'll send the old man off on a
prospecting trip with some of the
boys" explained Selfridge to How
land. That way Well kill two
birds. He's back on his assessment
work. The time limit will be up be-
fore he returns and We'll start con-
test for the claim
Rowland made no comment. He
was an engineer and not politi-
clan. In his position it was impos-
sible for him not to know that good
deal about the legal status of the
Macdonald claims was irregular. But
he was n firm believer in a wide
open Alaska. in the use of the ter
ritory by those who had settled it,
Better arrange it with Big Bill,
then. but don't tell me anything
about it. l don't want to know the
Details" he told Selfridge.
Big Bill Macy accepted the job with
q grin. He had never liked old Holt
anyhow Besides. they were not
going to do him any harm.
Holt was baking a batch of sour
dough bread that evening when
there came q knock at the cabin
door. At sight of Big Bill and his
two companions the prospector
closed the oven and Strengthened
with alert suspicion. He was not on
visiting terms with any of these men.
Why had they come to see him?
We're going prospecting up Wild
. Goose creek. and we want you to go
along. Gid" explained Macy. You're
an old sour-dough miner. and we-all
agreed we'd like to have you throw
in with us. What say?"
The old miners answer was direct
but not flattering. What do I want
20 go on n wild-Eoose muSh wit'l
bunch of buns for?" he shrilled.
H'l Macy scratched his hook nose
and looked reproachfully at his host.
~ least Holt thought he was looking
a him. One could not be sure. for
Bits eyes did not exactly track.
What's the use of swapping at me
like a turtle? burden says Wild
Goose looks fine. There's gold up
there-heaps of it."
Let it stay there. then. I ain't
going. That's flat" Holt turned to
adjust the damper of his stove.
"Dh. 7 don't l,now. I wouldn't say
TT '' drawIod Bill insolently
Tho nan at the stove caught the
c'1ngo in tone and turned quickly.
lie was too late. Macy had thrown
himself forward and the weight of
his body flung Holt against the wall.
Before the miner could recover. the
other two men were upon him. They
bore him to the floor and in spite
of his struggles tied him hand and
foot
Big Bill rose and looked down
derisively at his prisoner. Better
change your mind and go with us,
-
at the headquarters of Wild Goose.
Say you'll come along"
What are you going to do with
me-" demanded Holt.
Il reckon YOU need a church to
fan on YOU before you can take a
hint. Didn't I mention Wild Goose
creek three or four times?" jeered
his Captor.
Holt made no further protest. He
was furious. but at present quite
helpless. However it went against
the grain, he might as we'll give in
until rebellion would do some good.
Ten minutes later the party was
moving silently along the trail that
lei TO the hills. The pack horse
went first, in charge of George Hol-
way. The prisoner walked next, his
hands tied behind him. Big Bill fol-
lowed, and the man he had called
Dud brought up the rear.
Macy had released the hands of his
prisoner so that he might have
chance to fight the mosquitoes. but
he Kept wary eye upon him and
never let him move more than q
few feet from him. The trail grew
sleeper as it neared the head of the
canyon till at last it climbed the left
wall and emerged from the gulch
to an uneven mesa.
The leader of the party looked at
his watch. Past midnight. Well