The Washington times., 1937-02-12
By LLOYD G. DOUGLAS
"a Cosmopolitan Production Coming to Warner Br
February 19)

morning, shortly after sunrise
room for the night.
They were off at $50, Pete and
the burro leading. The day was
fine and the adventurers were in
excellent form.
At six they called it day and
sprawled on the ground, admirlng
the sunset and condoling their
lame feet. Pete stoidly prepared
supper.
NO great hurry tomorrow,
Pete" counseled Ingram. We've
got all the time in the world"
In spite of the admonltlon,
breakfast was a-sizzle at five and
they were scrambling up the diff
fioult trail at six. Pete seemed
In slightly lighter spirits when
they halted noon in a COM
paratively lev spot.
At one, Pete sauntered off with
a pick on his shoulder and did
not return until dark. They
watched him leave the trail a
hundred yards up the slope and
turn to the left, disappearing
among the white crags. When it
was supper-time, and he was still
absent, they proceeded to do their
own cooking. agreeing that it was
more tasty than Pete's, and not
caring whether the contemptuouS
fellow ever came back.
Pete was gone the next morn
ing before they were up.
1--WE a notion" observed Newell,
"that instead of hiring a guide,
we've grubStaked a prospector.
"It's no matter" chuckled David.
I'm lust as glad he isn't hanging
about all the time. SO long as
he doesn't abscond with the food
and leave us marooned up here,
I'm willing he should keep out OF
sight"
After breakfast they decided on
q tramp to the right of the IraH'
It was rough going and an hour
of it was plenty. They sat to rest
near a wash that had once been
g waterfall.
Pretty bit Of rock, that, re,
marked Newell, rolling a flst-slzed
chunk of parti-colored stone about
with the toe of his boot. The
green is copper, no doubt. WhaI
are those bright brasSy flecKS?.
"Yea-youIl be finding gold
yavned David, stretching flat on
his back, hands behind his head
"Boy!-if there was any OF that
stuff lying around loose on the
ground this close to civilization
there'd be a mob up here fighting
for it"
I'm not sure about that. We're
three quarters of a mile of the
trail. This particular spot may
never have been visited before
Newell was idly hammerlng his dis
covery with hefty round stone.
And it's never going to be Wis,
tied again, far as I'm concerned
muttered David sleeplly.
"I say, old man." exclaimed New
ell, have look at this stuff!
It was dusk again when Pete re-
turned to find his employers max
ing the fire. Paige told him ne nao
arrived just in time to be useful,
hint he acted upon reluctantly. 1t
was evident shat Pete was IN an
ugly mood. He had had a BAD
day, no doubt.
might as we'll push on tomor-
row" he advised grutfly.
mo hurry" replied Ingram. we
like it here Eh, sylvia oIo
LADY,"
"There's nothin' to see" growled
Pete. Bette vieW-hlgher up.
We'll see 1t when we get there
said Paige shortly. We're staying
here for a couple Of days. II you
want to ramble about, that's your
Pete sulkily numbered off after
supper, tethered the burro some 81
yards farther away, and seated
himself at some distance from the
fire.
He has thoughts OF moving on
early in the morning without US, -"
suspected Ingram. Il think III
drag the pack over here where ne
isn't so likely to be tempted"
If Pete had been medltatlng an
unannounced getaway, there was
no evidence of it next morning.
He was surprisingly attentive at
breakfast and made no move to
leave camp. Ingram grlnned and
winked.
"I wonder if the chap hasn't
smelled a mouse" he suggested.
I'VE can easly find out"
thought Newell, outlining a plan.
Lighting tn cir pipes, they
strolled off toward the left Of the
trail, elaborately unconcerned
about their course, leaving Pete
polishing the pans with amazing
diligence.
Pete was back in camp when
they returned. Paige dug in his
pocket and handed him little
stone with the remark that it
looked as if there was bit of
gold in it.
Bout five cents a ton." scoffed
Pete dlsgustedly..
THAT alp" Paige threw it
away, appearing indifferent to the