Tombstone epitaph., 1918-04-14

XNoW yOoT TC SuOotiuSs ny AhiSuos
agreed old Gideon. II guess. Elliot
you can loosen up on the chefs throat
awhile. He's had persuading enough
don't you reckonf I'll sit here and
sorter keep the boys company while
you cut the pack-ropes and bring 'em
here. But first I'd step In and unload
all the hardware they're packing. Il
you don't one Of them Is likely to gel
anxious. I'd hate to see any Of them
commit suicide with none Of theiI
friends here to say. Don't he look nat
uralr"
Elliot brought back the psck-ropef
and cut them into suitable lengths
Hollis monologue rambled on. He was
garrulous and affable. Not for a lonl
dme had he enjoyed himself SO much
Gordon tied the hands Of Big Bill
behind him. then roped his feet togeth
er, after which he did the same fol
Holway. The old miner superintended
the job and was not satisfied till he
had added q few extra knots on bis
own behalf.
That'n hold them for awhile,
shouldn't wonder. Now II you'll Just
cover friend chef with this sawed-on
gat Elliot. I'll throw the diamond
hitch over what supplies well need tc
get back to Kamatlah. I'll take one
bronch and leave the other to the con
victs." said Holt cheerfully.
Forget that convict stuf." growlet
Macy. "With Macdonald back Of u,
and the Guttenchilds back of him
you'll have a hectic time getting any
thing on u.s."
That might be true II these folk,
were back Of you. But are they
Course I amt any Sherlock Holmes
but It don't look to me like they'd play
any such fool system n this"
After Holt had packed one Of thu
animals he turned to Elliot.
Il reckon we're ready"
Under orders from Elliot Dud fixed
up the smudges and arranged the mos
quito netting over the bound men SC
as to give them all the protection pos
sible.
Were going to take Dud with q,
for q part Of the trip. Well send hin
back to you later in the day. You'll
have to fast till he gets back. but out
side Of that you'll do very well II yor
don't roll around trying to get loose
Do that, and you'll jar loose the mos
quito netting. You know what that
means" explained Gordon.
TT amt likely any grizzlies will
come pokin' their noses into camp. Blu,
you never can tell. Any last words
you want sent to relatives7" asked
Gideon Holt.
The last words they heard from Big
Bill as they moved down the draw
were sulphuric.
II was three O'Clock In the morning
by the watch when they started. Abou,
nine they threw OF for breakfast. By
this time they we're Just across ths
divide and were ready to take thu
down trail.
Il think we'll let Dud 60 now" Fl
liot told his partner In the adventure
Better hold him till afternoon. Ther
they can't possibly reach Us till VIC
get to Kamatlah."
"What does 1t matter II they dol
We have both rifles and have left them
only enc revolver. Besides, 6on'.
like to leave two bound men alone In
% Wild . district for any great time
No, well start Dud on the back trail
That grizzly you promised Big Bill
might really turn up"
The two men struck the headwaterl
Of Wild Goose creek about noon and
followed the stream down. They trav.
eled steadily without haste. So long
a. they kept q good lookout there waa
nothing to be feared from the men
they had left behind. They had both
q long start and the advantage Of
weapons.
II Elliot had advertised for Q yeal
he could not have found Q man who
knew more Of Colby Nacdonald's past
than Gideon Holt. The old man had
worked Q claim on Frenchman creei
with him and had b. sharp practice
20 Ut least he had come to believe
been lawed out Of his rights BY the
shrewd Scotsman. For seventeen year.
he had nursed . grudse against Mac
donald, and he was never tired a talk
ing about him. One story In particu.
lar interested Gordon.
There was Farrell O'Nein. he wa
Q good fellow. Tsrrea was, but he had
Just one weaknessI There was times
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