New Britain herald., 1922-12-18
Go on With the Story.

''Yes. Coin to Snowy Gulch."
 Tits only i've miles, up this road" the stranger ventured. I'm goin' up to ealtsville way myself, but won't have no river to tow me. I've got to do my own paddlin'. Thank the lord I'm only goin' small part of the way"
 You ain't goin to swim. are you? Where's your boat"
 My pard's got an old craft, and he and arc goin' to pack 1t out next trip" The stranger paused, blinking his eyes Say, partners-you don't want to sell your boat. do you?"
 E1rsm stated his figure. and Ben Wns promo to believe that he had adopted . highwayman for buddy The amount named was nearly twice that which they had pair. And to his vast amazement the stranger &C., eepted the offer in his next breath.
 ''co you don't know any folks in oAowy Gulch, then?" the stranger had asked politely. But you'll get ac- Quainted soon enough"
 'Tve got letter to feIlar named Norris" Ezram replied. And I've heard of one or two more men. too Je6rey Nelson was one of 'em-"
 .'You'll lind Morris in town all yisiat," the stranger ventured to as- sure him. He lives right next to Neilson's And-say-what do you know about this man Neilson7"
 .'Oh, nothin' at all. Why?"
 If you fellows is prospectin', Jef- fiery Nelson is a first-class man to stay away from-and his understrap pers, too-Ray Brent and Chan Heminway. But they're out of town right now. They skinned out all in a bunch few weeks ago-and cant. tell you what kind of scent they got.'
 Ezram felt cold to the marrow of his bones. He glanced covertly at Ben: fortunately his partner was busy among the supplies and was not lis- tening to this conversation.
 You don't know where they went, do you?" he asked.
 Not exactly. They took up this creek here a ways, through Spruce Pass, and over to Yuga River-the country that kind of a crazy old chap named Hiram Melville. who died here . few weeks ago, has always pros- pected."
 The stranger marveled that his old listeney should have suddenly gone quite pale.
 Esram had only moments fur kher conversation with his new friend. He put two or three questions-in rather curious, hushed voice-and got his answer.
 .sWhat have you and your poor victim been talking about, all this Eim03" Ben asked.
 ..Oh, just a gab-fest-a tat-i-tat as you'd call 1t. But you know. Ben, I've got idea all a-sudden." Ben straightened, lighted his pipe. and nrapared to listen. 'This old boy feils mo that we'd save just twelve miles by striking of from here. in stead of goin' into town. Snowy 0ulch is six miles, and we have to come back to this very place. What's the use of goin' into town at all
 Good heavens, Ez! Have you forgotten we've got to get supplies! And your brothers gun-and ms dog?"
 'YeO, knoW-One or uS mas. pu.' Ben, it seems to me that one of us ought to strike off now and figure out the way and sort of get located"
 "Oh, 1t would be all right" Ben beRan rather doubtfully VT don't see that much is to be gained by 1t. But I'll strike off on foot, If you want me to-"
 Ezram's mind was flashing with thoughts like lightning, and his an swer was ready. Ben, if you don't mind, I'll do that" he said.
 But you'd get a ride, if you waited4-"
 T hate horse, anyway"
 t'You've surely changed lot since the war"
 VI was thrown off not long ago. and have been leery of the dunn tfoings ever since"
 Ezram was wholly deliberate. He knew what waited him on arrival at