The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-02-29
CHAPTER discontinued.


~ like chicken. eat chicken hi
acknowledged. "But / am certainly no
what might be termed remarkably at
tached to chicken"
They passed between the rows Of
Dnle cottages, crossed the dry river
course. which was unspanned by any
bridge and saw the diamond fields In
front OF them. The appearance OF the
district was striking. Beneath the REQ
sand. which had been piled up into
long ridges. the bases propped up with
boarding, were bright patches of vel
llowish clay, the Acknowledging
stratum, and under this, it was hoped
would be found the famous blue ground
indicative of the volcanic tunnels In
which diamonds are formed Of carbon
under terrific pressure.
No blue ground had yet been struck ;
its existence was, however, almost q
certainty. since the yellow clay is mere
ly the blue ground decomposed. The
yellow patches extended on either side
as far as the eye could reach. All
along this depression In the ridge build
ings were under construction Here
and there, where more substantial
progress had been made. pits yawned,
bridged by plank roads, and endless
windlasses, from which buckets were
lowered to bring up the diamond-bear-
ing soil, stood ranged in disorderly
array. The ropes from these wind
Iasses, extending into the pits In every
direction, gave their sides the appear
ance of cliffs covered with huge spider
webs.
On claims more recently taken up
men were hard at work with picks, or
washing the clay In cradles. Nobody
paid the least attention to the way
farers.
Winton's companion led him along
the road that ran the length Of the
claims. Here and there were to be
seen native gangs herded within the
barbed wire tangles of their COM
pounds. At length the desert reap
peared. Sam stopped.
This Is the Big Malopo, sir" he said.
Winton looked in front of him. He
saw small shack, a patch of yellow
ground, and many coils of barbed wire
that had not yet been set up. There
was nothing more.
'sThe De Witt diamond was picked
up right here, sir" said Sam.
"How far does the claim extend?"
asked Winton. "What are those men
doing there7 Are they the Big Malopo
menu"
mo, sir. That is another claim. The
claims are not extensive, sir. The Big
Malopo is a large one. 1t measures
two hundred feet by seyenty-fve. You
will find Mr. Burns. the Waterman, in
that building, sir, If you wish to see
him. But he will not answer questions
He is a misanthropical man, sir. You
are interested in the Big Malopo. sir?'
Eyes. l own It," answered Winton.
"At least, four-hfths of 1t. am Win
ton Garrett"
Before the words had slipped from |
his mouth he regretted the rashness of |
his self-betrayal. But the effect upon |
the negro was extraordinary. He
stared and gaped. edged away, and
then broke into quick run, and never
stopped as long as he was within
sight
Winton stood looking after him In as
until he had disappeared in
the distance; then, after a moment OF
he stepped up to the shack
and tapped at the door.
An elderly man appeared instantly. |
BE had a white beard and shock OF |
white hair He was In his shirt sleeves,
and he carried shotgun In his hands
From his appearance Winton inferred
hat he would not be chary of using It.
Another Of EN- T. he cried angrily,
eveling the gun. "You make tracks be-
ore / get my eye in. young Teller
There amt nothing to see"
II came TO see Mr.. De Witt" said
Ylnton.
Hes gone out of town and won't
,e back till tomorrow afternoon, and
( you want job there amt nothing"
II believe you are the watchmanT
vinton asked whats your Manner
MY names Ned Burns" shouted the
I'D man. whats yoursf
'My names Garrett. and I hot.