The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-18
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IRA MELVILLE. Together they
start on q trip to the Yuga River,
where Ezra goes to take possess
sion OF q rich claim left by his
brother,
HIRAM MELVILLE, who recently
had died. Ben Is 10 have d
partnership and a new. lease o.
lite at Seattle lives
JEfFERY NELSON and his two
partners, Ray Brent and
CHAN HEM1NWAY. Nelson, lead.
Ell o. the notorious gang, has a
Beautiful daughter, Beatrice, with
whom Brent Is in love. She de-
TESTS him. Brent complains 10
Nelson and her father promises
70 aid him in his suit. Melissa
hears Of the rich pocket discov.
cred BY Hiram Melville AMI
plans with his confederates 10
steal the claim before Ezra can
arrive! When Ben and Ezra
reach the north woods Ben sud.
denly regains his memory.
Knowledge OF his past life re.
ttirns They meet a friendly
stranger who directs them.
co ON WITH THE STORY
'sYes; 6oin' to Snowy Gulch."
IT'S only five miles, up this
road the stranger ventured. I'm
gotii' up to Saltsville way myself,
Int i won't have no river to tow
me. I've got I o do my own pad.
ain. Thank the lord I'm only goln'
small part Of the way"
you diht goin' to swim, are you?
svhore's your boat"
nv pard's got an old craft, and
10 and | are goin: to pack It out
next trips" The stranger paused,
blinking his eyes. Say, partners
You don't want to sell your boat,
10 you7''
Ekrati stated his figure, and Ben
WIS prone to believe that he hal
dtiopted a liighwayman for a buddy.
The amount named was nearly
twice that which they had paid.
And to his vast anazement the
Stranger accepted the offer In his
next breath;
so you don't know any folks ia
snowy Giilch, them" the stranger
Ind asked pointediy. "But you'll
get acquainted soon enough"
I've got q letter to Il teller mani.
I'd Morris Ezram replied. aud
t3Ne Il 4,6S.H ffat,n ~ 4,,,O ,,,oT.a ,,,at,
10 lefty Ncilson was one OF 'ein
you'll find Morris IN town all
right the stranger ventured to as.
sire him. "He lives right next 10
Neilsott. And-say-what do yoi
know about this man Neilson?"
Oh. nothin' ut all. Why?"
III you fellows IS prospcctln'
Jefferson Nelson is a Hirst.class
man 10 stay away from--and his
Ilnderatrappers. too-Ray Brent
and Chan Heminway. But they're
nut OF town right now They skin.
nedaout all in n bunch few
weeks ago-aud Itcan't tell you
what kind Of q scent they got"
Extam felt cold to the marrow Of
his bones. He glanced covetly at
Ben; fortunately his partner was
busy among the supplies and was
not listening TO this conversation
sYou 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 uga
lttyef-the country that kind OF Il
crazy old chap namoh Hiram Mel.
RilleS who died here a few weeks
ago, has always prospected
The stranger marveled that his
old listener should have suddenly
gone quite pale.
Ezram had only a moments fur.
ither conversation with his new
friend. He put two or three ques.
tinns-in u rather curious, husheA
yolce-and got his answer.
What have you and your poor
victim been talking about, all this
time2" Ben asked.
ooh, Just a gab.fcst-a tat.i.tat
as you'd call it. But you know.
Ben, I've got idea all a.suddea
Ben Strengthened, lighted his pipe,
and prepared TO listen. This old
boy tells me that we'd save lust
Twelve miles by striking off from
here, instead of goin' into town.
Snowy Gulch is six miles, and We
have TO come back to this verv
place. What's the use OF goin' into
town at all2"
Good heavens, Ez? Have yo.;
forgotten we've got to get supplies?
And your brothers. gun-and his
5dog3ss
Yes, I know-one OF us has.
But, Ben, It seems to me that ono
OF us ought to strike off now and
figure out the way and sort OF get
located"
yoh, It would DO all right" Ben
Bhega nrather doubtfulfy. II don't
see that much is to be gained by
II. But Ill strike off on foot, II you
want me to-"
Esram's mind was flashing WITH
thoughts like lightning, and his
answer was ready. "Ben, II yo,,
don't mind, I'll do that he said,
But you'd get ride, II you wait
ed -,
( hate horse, anyway"
You've surely changed a lot
since the war"
Z was thrown off not long ago
and have been leery OF the DUN
thtngs ever since"
Ezfam was wholly deliberate.
ne knew what waited him on arriy.
~ u his brothers claim. Jeffrey
Nelson and his gang had assembI.