The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-02-15

leon, tanned dfiiier In charge OF
operations was wise with an unoanny
knowledge the newcomer could not
fathom For eight hours NJ a stretch
no stood ON the platform and
watched a greasy cable go slipping
into the earth. Every CULVER Of Il.
every motion OF the big walking.
beam. every kick OF tho engine, told
him what was taking place down
that narrow pipe two thousand feet
below the surface. lie knew when
the tools were In clay and had be.
come gummcd up. lie could tell Just
when the drill had cut into hard rock
az an acute angle and was running
out OF the perpendicular 10 follow tho
softer stratum. Ills Judgment ap.
pcarcd infaliible as TO whether he
ought TO send down a rcamer to
straiKhten tho ktnk. All Dave knew
was that string OF tools far under.
ground was jerking up and down
monotonously.
This spclt domanc~ 10 Jed BURNS.
superintendent Of operations. though
no would never have admitted II.
From one boom to another he drifted.
as inevitably an the gamblers. graft
ers and organizers OF fake com.
paniea.
lilo was sitting sand through his
fingers when Dave came on tower
the day after the flood. To Bob
Hart. present as crawford's personal
representative. no expressed an
opinion.
Right soon now or never. sand
tastes. feels. looks. and smeliR like
oil But you can't ever be sure. An
OIL prospect Ia Nike woman. She
viii or she won't. you never can tell
which. Then. II shc does, she's liable
70 change her mind"
Dave shifted the pleasing. pungent
odor of the crude oil sands. His
friend had told him that crawford's
fate hung in the balance. Unless oil
flowed very soon In paying quaint
ties he was a ruined man. Tho con
troll OF the Jackpot properties would
probably pass into tho hands Of
Steeirnan. Tho cattieman would even
lose the ranches which had been the
substantial basis OF his earlier pros
perity.
Everybody working on the Jaekpo,
felt the excitement as the drin began
10 sink into the oli.bcaring sands.
Most OF the men owned stock in the
company. Moreover. they were get.
ting bonus for their services aud
hnd been promised an extra one N
Number THREE struck oil In paying
Quantities before Steelnnn's crew
did Even 20 an outsider Their. liz a
fascination In an oil we'll Dave
found IL impossible 10 escape the
ooniaEton OF this Moreover. he had
ten thousand shares in n. Jackpot.
stock turned over 10 him out OF tho
treasury supply by tho beard 81 al.
rectors In recognition OF services
which they did not care 70 specify
In the resolution which authorized
the tranxycr.
After his shin was over he rode 20
town With Bob behind his team Of
Wild eroncoa.
Go, TO look for an engineer nsr
the night tower Hart crp,nined AZ
he drew up In front Of the Gurher
saloon Some In with me. It's some
gambling he'll II you ask me-
The place humned with tn. tuY0u-
lent life that drifts 10 every Wild
frontier on the boom Faro deaier~
from the kioncike. poker dealers
from Nome. roui~tts croups~rr from
L~advllie. were all here 10 reap tho
rich harvest 20 be made from invest
ors. field workers. and operators.
Smooth grsftcrs with stock In worth
less companies for sale circulated In
and out with blue prints and whls
pered inside information. The men
who were ranged in front Of the bar.
behind which half a dozen attend
ants In white aprons busiiy waited
on their wants. usually talked oil
and nothing but OF. Today they had
another theme. The same subject
enEro~sed the groups scattered here
and there thruout the large hall.
In the rear of the room were the
faro layoutx. tho roulette wheels. and
the poker players Around each OF
these the shifting crowd surred
Mexicara Chinese. and even Indians
brushed shoulders with white men
Of many sorts and conditions The
Whitehead professional gambler was
In evidence, winning the money Of
big brown men 10 miners boots and
eorduroys. The betting was Wild and
extravagant. for the spirit of the
speculator had carried away the cool
Judgment Of most Of these men.
Bob found his man at faro table
While the cards wcrc being shuffled
he engaged him to come out next
evening to the Jackpot properties.
Az soon as the dealer began TO slide
the cards out OF the chs. the atten.
ton Of the engineer went back 10
his bets.
While dave was standing close TO
the wall. ready to leave M soon as
Bob returned 70 him. he caught sight
OF an old acquaintance. steve Rus
sell was playing stud poker at a
table few feet from him. The cow
puncher looked UP and waved his
hand.
See you In q minute. Dave he
called. and as soon ar the pot had
been won he said TO tho man shuf.
fling the cards. Deal me out this
hand.-
He rose. stepped across 70 San
ders and shook hands with a strong
grip. you darned old son.of.a- gum
I'm rure glad TO see you. Heard