Catoctin clarion., 1923-06-07
boftre. another Hiring his gun into the


in the camp-real miners, l mean.'
The street was alive with changing
groups, merging, breaking up to listen
to some fresh report of strike, or
opinion as to the prospects. There
were no women in sight. The men
were of all sorts, from cowboys IN
their chaps, who had left the range
for the chance of sudden wealth, 10
storekeepers from Hereford and other
towns.
Mormons pronouncement that the
town, after its long desertion, had
automatically refunctioned, was NOT
far wrong. Rudely lettered signs pro-
claimed where meals could he bought
and boldly announced gambling.
Observation-Disclosures AND STUD
CRAPS AND DRAW POKER
THE OLD RELIABLE FARO BANK
J. PLIMSOLL. PROP.
read Sandy.
Hes here, lookin' fo' easy money
both ends an the middle he drawled.
"W'udn't wonder but what we'd rub
up ag'in' him TO we leave
you'll want to go right through TO
Molly's claims, l suppose" said Mir
and. Railey. "Do you know where
they areT
II can soon find the location" re-
piled Sandy. But there amt any
extry hurry. They've been recorded.
They'll keep. Wen git us some real
hot grub at one of these restyronts an
listen a bit to the news"
"Aint you afraid plimsoll or sone
one'n have jumped those claims"
asked the spinster.
"Wudn't be surprised. But there's
allus two ways to jump, Miss Mlr-
andy. In an out Let's try Cal
simpsons place. l knew him when he
was runnin' a chuck-wagon. He's sure
some cook If it's him.
They passed through the crowded
street to the sign. Next door to the
cabin that Simpson had pre-empted on
the first -comefirst served order that
prevailed, was one of the 0lden Sa-
looms. Through door and window they
could see the crowded bar with bot
ties and tin mugs upon the ancient
slab of wood. Some looked curiouSly
at Miranda Bailey, but the sight OF
her escort checked any familiarity.
Covered with dust from their ride,
guns on hip, the Three Musketeers
did not encourage persitlage at the eX-
pense Of their outfit and they passed
unchallenged into the eating
where a stubby man with big paunch
shouted greetings at Sandy.
"YOu Ornery son Of gun! An Nor
mon. This yore last, Mormon. No?
I beg yore pardon, marin. c'ud have
wished Mormon 'ud struck sOmethin'
sensible an satisfactory at last. It's
his loss more'n your'n. WhatH you
have, folks? I've got steak an po'k
an beans. Drove over some beef
More comm ter-morrer. I'll have
real mennoo by the end Of the week
Steak? SECURE! Biscuits an Coffee
He shouted orders to helper and
hurried off to pan-broi the steaks.
whats the indications?' asked
Sandy, after Simpson had rejoined
them.
Big Look here. White gold"
He pulled out piece Of tin white
mineral with brilliant metallic lus-
ter. sparkling with curious crystals.
"Sylvanite-twenty-ti per cent gold
an twelve an a half silver Veined
in the porphyry. There's a young as
sayer come In last night. He lows it's
sylvanite, same as they have over to
Boulder county in Colorado. He's a
kid, but l w'udnt wonder but he
knows what he's talkin' about. Some
calls II telluride. But it's gold, all
right. an there's big vein Of it close
to the surface on the knoll east side
of Flivver crick."
They passed the heavy mineral from
hand to hand, examining 1t with eager
curiosity. Simpson rambled on.
This man Plimsoll aims to make
him fortune. He's got gang OF
bullies with him who're stakin' out the
best claims an jumpin' others. He's
runnin' game wild. He's here to
clean up. tell you. Sandy, the sheriff
ought to be on the job on the start
Of a rush like this D-n-dern-few
Of this crowd'll ever stop to run shaft
or tunnel. Though this young assay
in feller talks big about folds an up
lifts, synclines an anticlines. Claims
the po'phyry is syncline. You got to
Catch 1t where the fold Is shaller or
else dig halfway 30 China. You still
in the cow business, Sandy?"
So he chatted until fresh customers
came in and claimed his skill and
steaks. Miranda Bailey and her COM
panions finished the meal and started
out.
The Casey claims were on the east
side of the creek, Sandy knew. The
old prospectors lore, or instinct, had
been unfalling 1t remained to see If
his marks and monuments had been
respected. Molly had said that the
assessment work had been done, and
she had so described the place in
narrow terrace of the hill that Sandy
felt sure Of finding them without
trouble.
He pointed out sign over the door
Of shack ahead, white lettered on
black Oil cloth:
CLAY WESTLAKE.
ASSAYER-SURVEY AND
MINING ENGINEER.
A knot of men were milling about
the place.