White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-02-16

had been some days creeping and
listening. the master was now fully
informed Of the conspiracy, and the
pair proposed on the morrow to fall
out OF line at carrying place and
plunge at venture in the woods;
preferring the full risk of famine,
savage beasts. and savage men to
their position in the midst of traitors
What. then. was to be done? Some
we're for killing the master on the
spot: but Harris assured them that
would be crime without profit, since
the secret of the treasure must die
along with him that buried It, Others
were for desisting at once from the
whole enterprise and making for
New York; but the appetizing name
Fof treasure, and the thought Of the
long way they had already travelled
dIssuaded the majority imagine
they were dull fellows for the most
part.
Harris. indeed. had some acquire
ments. Mountain was no fool. HASTE
was an educated man; but even these
had manifestly failed in life, and the
rest were the dregs of colonial ras-
cality. The conclusion they reached,
at least. was more of the offspring Of
greed and hope than reason. 1t was to
temporize, to be wary and watch the
master, to be silent and supply no
further ailment to his suspicious, and
to depend entirely las we'll as make
out) on the chance that their victim
was as greedy, hopeful. and irrational
as themselves. and might. after all,
betray his life and treasure.
Twice, in the course of the next day
Secundra and the master must have
appeared to themselves to have
escaped and twice they were cir.
cumvented. The master, save that
the second time he grew little pale,
displayed no sign of disappointment,
apologized for the stupidity with
which he had fallen aside, thanked his
recapturers as for n service, and re-.
Joined the caravan with all his usual
gallantry and cheerfulness of mien
and bearing.
Silent Contest Began.
And now there began between the
two sides silent contest, for life on
the one hand, for riches on the other
They were now near the quarter OF
the desert In which the master him
self must begin to play the part OF
guide; and using this for pretext
of prosecution. Harris and his men
sat with him every night about the
fire, and labored to entrap him into
some admission. II he let hip his
secret, he knew we'll 1t wa; the war.
rant for his death; on the other hand
he burst not refuse their questions
and must appear to help them to the
best of his capacity, or he practically
published his mistrust.
And yet Mountain assures me the
mans brow was never ruffled. He sal
In the midst of these jackals, his life
depending by thread, like some
easy, witty householder at home by
his fire: an answer he had for every
thing-as often as not. TESTING an
swer: avoided threats, evaded In
suits talked, laughed. and listened
with an open countenance; and. In
short, conducted himself in such q
manner as must have disarmed sus
picion, and went near to staggel
knowledge. Indeed, Mountain con
fessed to me they would soon have
disbelieved the captains story, and
supposed their designated victim still
quite innocent of their designs, bu,
for the fact that he continued chow
ever ingeniously) to give the slip te
questions. and the yet stronger con
firmation Of his repeated efforts &c
escape.
The last Of these, which brought
things to head. am now to relate
And first I should say that nv this