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Tg^4^$**W~ #Andlfeaid b&|bi|?ad ?? haigh ou! in :an evBiv& s?ei^-g?xi, otiose heartiness seenJ^feewa&-i?s ??oh' boin-, "Singu - lar^?PBl?a?S'Kl.- '<bow' ei:*ertm>: voces airer ' cases. Rich as l ara. I can't afford to laugh ? ?aloud, lest the peons below hour me. They I "alone caa enjoy that luxury." L uBut where-doe- this quartz como fromf I ask ed, i ^Effarose. wei>t forward a feu . stei? to tho \:;-aMse cf the precipice where joined the thelf, ?ad turned -ever a i<^&*t*hes ear - ,-lBS8ly laid against the reck>* -"\ to--" : 'down -near the ground, v.-a-srra: sir.'ak pf : whitequartz. Thea I oh*ervfidon ciosjer.fn I ?q?ctioa that it had been dujjf Sato here and . *fh?re to the depth of e. ievr'feet. Looking I "cfo-fcr >stili I saw the yellow'mo*al. an ? m g "places where raptured by the pick it shone v ^with a glint like gilt-very different from ; ?the duller color of the "river wash * gold or S ?that of *?fc*nk diggings." : "Yes, theres the lank," said. Broener. "The Bani? California, and if ii wasn't a man of mo?than ordinary strengMfOf mind rdjjwn?|^ to<h^-h JI^'::S fes ring lest ing^Jp- ^ia^. in? mil:; aimse?? ?uto my TSeBggySy^ .^Because alt fefcrs are . devWWw8K tfef?r.md. Hare* to be pat ont if ont? let hVfcud bound to kill it you cant drive em out.** "How do you get the go ld* cut of tho rock?*1 ^pffili?^^^of th* Kgger lamps xwiih moit.tr and pestle." ho replied, "but ? *n?ostofit I carry to Sar Francisco to,be $ '?treated,^uch as this ? piece you threw down -?^ust^jgw,^ lliook-^wv: thl?S??. You can't see ? ai#^*W*i>e*lt^rU?. fair of dust gold. -?n?as?ou?-vev finer-tine a- the dust on - ^$&tif?}&g~i%Ula *hat. to ?ber assayer. How the mint officials oponed their Sj eyes at them. First they ever saw. Wanted to know where I dug thom and how and ali "aboutit. Of course I to Vi th?m. I located my diggings in the farthest to-sole country ifrom this, and tired volleys cf hes oth^wise *at them. A mau mus: proWjjhTmself, you know, and cut ? nd run fro:n truth just a? ra ship;iu an open roadstead with a . gale sud J/denly coming on mast cut and ran from her best bower I half believe they didn't quite ? acc?t?^ sdJry. awi &&&& soiue: imus they . set^ watclrT>n iae* toSee^vhftfc*way'I trav *efe^#J2>*kno?'fc& J?*- kuow. what some .'te??ldM>rm ^!t?'^.i.t at-rhe mint might '00j_tMbau.se tuch a one p would know what thSPiotk mrnfcl.Sua*! he: would yearn, yea. seek, for it diligent iv, and do-just as I .might do under the same sore triai." CHAPTER YUL COMPACT. ,iZBut why.** I asked, "do you trust me. ?almosta stranger to you. with your secret f* "For this reason,'' replied Broener. "First, ?because I believe I can trust you; secondly, I "have long wau tod .a companion and assistant ? : in one and the sifene person. The honest onus r among tire Bull Bar crowd wi? ?jet draak. 1 i and whisky reveals more secrets than w omen .?-though, for that marrar, I think quite as ? : many go-sips are running around iu panta-1 ? loons as in petti?o^t% i ne^you to keep up sb?|#f vjbti o**my 'tx^gpfe claim while I ?am in San Francisco. There 1 must go from 1 r' fime to time to, get ray quartz gold smelted ' and?s?ByevlL" lim?es' law requires on * day's j woi*r?t tprtjro? evo ry daim in order to ! bmgfe?ssessktJLoi it I want you to potter j around and keep up a show of work on ; tba hank ifiu- irctnt ?i^the cabin. In the ; . tnfoers* * ^es^iriatfen thereabouts you are j '*- to be my partner in that claim. 1 don't want to seem mysterious, and if I dont keep up a clatter of work about here I shall b& t?y-ough ^ leaving so often and letting 4,m ?hank stand idle. Tben I want ; yon to slide up from time to time to our ; real claim on the mountain and see that ifs all right And while I think, of ic mind you break no regular path going up and down. It's very natural for men pros? pecting about in strange places oak-iind%?g any sort of;a trail to follow it. I thiyb it*s the catxlo instinct- ia . mun-the sanio j that makes sheep ?*nd cows f-^low ea'ii j other. Men who succeed 1 noti**e gen- j orally go out vt be&Vsn pe.tris. ?So mind in your travelings up and down from the yon*^a?*ouTl^'??el"same*" tra ?': * V.' mS? j keep shady aad lie low. JT\ not so much tMKo^aKpt jefe n->*.:tnnt I fear. IK "Btw ?etE?#re inrriyicg ?V. th- tin:" rfftiM ?T>^??* >?ar mn i;-o . ing^Sl reajoiiirjg as I hav- .ion tdj^-hitprncgk^ on the caoL-.atir ^K^om^y*!! bd.3d.imb> rini; u? :. .. g i qgi^ Si??Kd&''>\4o -o in my ab- .*. n.-.-l fjjyg^ o^yn^i) ?ssion i: wouid ?_-.-?]? iq: ? ttat-desgriv*claims-except the law toigiit. ?^ow do vou seo h,~'vv mu-.-h T nred ! you? You're quiet, shy and nor talkative. } Those quarries ar>all helps to me. Ataik ative n% ^tftrthis 'se ret rn- ide of bira. -COuld^Jfh??i ?emyvvay let*ing it < ?ut. He'd tm hims? lat- 5'th/ liints and knowing grimacjk 13ke jbe^w?y to ke-*p a se r t :< : to fpjggt_fcfenglj|riig il*s wanted. V:':MZ\ ?lw?^?BTfce%H?? *wpr;.*?pt to writ . j is Ai on tro face. Makei people suspect voa knew Bomething they don't ::nd you start em <>u the hunt to find it out. But waa; in ;hmi U*r am I doing? Preaching and philosophtzia,'-:. ^ Let*? go home and start a new brood of !!a?> jacks fWP supper." . j ^p??Qe| filled a sack with as aui-h vf th qum tWim he COT?^** ^^ovcTa^iit-K' carr?, and 1 we took our way homeward. Ascending far ont of sight and sound of, the busy crowds be? low the eye foll ou peak after jieak. f:ir and near, their si(lrf criTere**Lwith tSe dark gr-tn carpet of (*hap}?rai. vhi-h m ]>lay-?, a- I thrown in shadow's, was almost black There was no sight nor y.iiad of thing. A shadow floated along on the red ??arth. I looked up. It was a huge turkey buzzard ! fltoe&g tfarough tao air a? noiseless a-, the fhadows he cast. There ww something weird and gloomy in ; italL T??l'inddidnot seem made for "ha- ; man habi cation. It seemed new. tuifinished, ' as of recent date from some tremendo s - vol? canic apheavaL .. This impressiofrquic/dy vanished oar i hag Broener's cabin, now c^.t jato a gra:"f>:i and cooling shade hy the afternoon sun. The ; Jong shadows of the bills i AI our bank .?f the stream were rapidly stealing nj? \\. - .-iu<-> r?f those ontheoth?*- Th?direct and oppressive outpour of noon heat wa-; over, and now, past the middle of the af ?ernoon, there seemed to come to men, aki-aal? -md veg station a new flood of vitality. Broener had allo?-ed -thc manzamta bush, ats dark mahogany st^m contrast iug so sti-ong 't$ with, its dark green leii\c.-, to remain uncut : all about his <-abin. - ^It screens me from obserAat?on?** said he, ..-^andlfind it advantageous not i<> l?j seen in all my comings and g'.ing-." SEI -After ?upper he prop-?r^l n trip *u. the Bull Bar store (or trading post, as many called it), about two miles down thc 1 i rer. Thither we went "To.go to'the store' after supper Ls the ' i-egulation with five-sixths of che Bull Bal ? ites,"1 said Broeaer. "They would consider iheir day incosaplete without such a visit." ' It was store, hoarding house, liar, post and express office- combined fini aiin< r> in their working ciotbes. Ev< ry barr.-j head was used as a s<-at: so were boxes, tables and . thedoorsilL As we entered, th ? a small, energetic, bustling mar. lng a giant in comparison wit **Big Dick"-for .--ittin^ on :!:.. 00 "I want you tc kn<>? " ai 1 i . counter is t^.-^U goods 00. and n< iC.y?u want to retail yotuNelf. ?je oX.yo*;r own. You ..erne up h< r i-^mk yourself on my couate? V?lt it. for an arm chair. Ii v u saki TH lay yon on the shelf wii i .tor. ?old *"TAts counter is lo sell joods OK* ' I ^rocts, and take you' down vhen called *-??. I But 1 want you tc-keep-yon* beef oif my ! wanter.** j ?he g-hiat :<ook the reproof good aatairedly, . Rad moved off as di suv 1. ! 4iMr. Rsnkin. ' said ?'iotiur cufit'iTucr, "are those eauaed oysters of yours good?*' k*C?oodrreplied Mr. Rankin, "fir conloe ; ?toi. They re Baltimore oysters, pat up ;.<">- ? ten, shipped round Cape ?joni rotten, sol 1 to i ?'inein Stockton rotten, an 1 hauled ap bore j by a bull team rotten. Jits* smell of Vm!" : and Mr. Rankin shoved the can under bi* ?us'coaiex's nose. THtake a caa. anyw.-;*,." said the miner, who did not seem at ali affected by Mr. : Rankin'.-, peculiar r?csnncendation .of his j wares. "How meek -are the vf* "Twa dollars." Tho miner produced bis bucksk?a and i jw ?ut' ci a little dust into the geld scales. Mr. i Rankin looked criti "ally -it it and put it ina i . Kat brass pan. carro*.vin^ towan.! one end, j j with sides half an inch in height-a ' blow ! ! pan.** ; "Mv. S. P. Wiilets.*' said Rankin. "I don't j I sell my oysters for saud. Your dus: isn't j clean-^jgfcg is. Maybe some : other store- j ki-j . will buy black or grav sand of vou. ! I but I CSm't.** '} Biack stud, in reality an "ux ide of iron, is tbe invariable accompaniment of gold as washed from the soi:, and very difficult to be separates from the dust "Have you anv good butter.'"* asked an- i -other. j "I:ve an ari icu* here which for axle grease ; i will beat the oldest mau in the mines Eng- j : lish batter. Made to grease the wheels of ; j her majesty's carnage. Dollar a pound. : j Want som.*?* ; '"Yes. Gimme half a pound.** ? . ^He plays that well on the boys." whis- ; . pered Groener to me. "Did you ever notice, ( : with nine people out of ten. that it* yon tell ? f,them of anything you want to sell that it's i bad they'll believe the contrary? Maybe it's 1 : because we've all dropped unconsciously into : ! the habit of thinking erich other liars." ! There was a noisy game of carri--, and at every se^xmd the well-worn pasteboards were ! j thumped on the table with resounding j whacks. Mr. Rankin, while not selling \ ^oods. was setting rows of tumblers on the ; bar and a black bottle before them ?E re- ! spouse to the frequent call of the players j stuck tor the drinks." j Broener seemed.well acquainted with.the j place and its habitues. My presence with f him attracted some curiosity. ' ' Broth r." I heard some otze inquire of him I j in alow voice, referring to myself. ;? "No. nephew.'* w&; his reply. -"Just oui from the states. Been down to tha bay to ' ; bring him up." j "How doc- your claim pan.outr" asked I I another. "Good for live dollars a day yet." said j , Broener. "I don't want to work it all out. ! Afraid I shan't get another like it." I "You seem to take life pretty easy,*'re- ; : marked the ia-? mqv,i'-?-r. ..Why ?k>uld I take lifo hard :"' i epiied 1 Broener. "But why do you think I take ithiigs easy:" ^Because you don't work hard like the r<-st I of the boys," was the answer. "I don't believe ia hard work.17 replied : Broener. tilling Iiis pipe. "1 think the best ' work-is the work that's easiest done. 1 knock . off carly nt the afternoon so that I may have ' some time to cook my grub decently, wash my hannels and make my cabin comfortable ' withe .c. using up eve: y bit of strength in my ? -body. You see I expect to be dodging around when most of you fellow, thar take life so : hard are cold in you. graves-if you're lucky : enough to get a grave. You're using up now ? more strength than you've got to spare and patching up the.rents in i: with whisky, it's j all very nice working in the river till you ' shiver, and then coming out and warming up with whisky every Iii teen minutes. But ] you'll pay for it inside of ten years. How : much rum per day did the Willow Bar boys ; use when they were building that wing dami*' j "Used to send a two gallon demijohn tv. iee a day io be filled. ' said a slow, heavy i w>ice. and the manner of saving it seemed to j imply that it was something to l*>ast of. "And amongst ten ot" you. All right. Min- I inc by steam power. Speaking of whisky, , lei's ail take a drink.** said Broei:'1:-. "Come: ! Ail hands] Full Lu! Forward with your j banners!" . . The t*ompany present gathered before the f har. The bottle and glasses were u?uin sei, , ?.ut. Ail waited' witaa rigid decorum until each glass was filled and ready*, and then j wirk a "here's i ; "kl"' and a solemn, simul? taneous gulp, the finid wi? jwmred down, -.rich ?* ... .'?ual. iaspec. "li--!?.." or aa t'iger gras? for the water pitcher, testi :Ied to the rigoraas rawness ot com wl?skv. "A sad arju >olei'.:n performance. said Br< enev. "Another carrew ia our respective . comss. Boys wlM^bosses tai:; bar. we or John i icii-e. y ..?".:?:'* .?1.' irieycom. 1 gu -?-." said a p'pmg voie . "Reed's go- "em. Snakes. Alone m his cabin for two weeks with a Sve-gall*>n damijo?? >f whisky. Saw him J;- i v.*-, . corma' up ^weepin" his doors* .--p like Jury, i Asked him vs hat was the matter. Lord, iiuw he yelled: 'Matte.--? flatter enough. L Can't yat s ?: Th- houss is full of lugs and beetles, snakes .ind centipedes; horned 1 i?.s.'3- and Vam'* ]" *vv?, and 1 can't keep : i ?em o?r I vamosed." j , "ile was up Lera yesterday afternoon,*" .said another. "Come walking into the store quiet enough until he saw Etauki? behind the j counter: took him for a in id.- *?-a:n. 1 guess. Anyway. We made fur him with a black-snake . ? whip, singing out; 'Whoa! Whoa! Haw- j ' Tilt tip thar! How Ratkia did git from be- i hind that" counter ?rd o?d Re d afrerhim, i up til.- hill. Th ? ny- got alter "ern an ? star:.- ! Read home. Nice man to N* laving ; reund loos-.-. Somebody ought to :?><.:< arter j him." j .*H?*came here? fortnight ago today in ; hi> winter's pro?;1 <>a ." --aid Rankin. "] asked him to make out hi- order. Well, he i , s.id guesser! he'd have a sack ??:' Sour, ten pounds of porlcfw r pjsuds:f>f sugar, ihr- . 6f coffee, and si. ">n. ?>1J . weil? alon^ les- -?;i ig ! ? th*- number of pounds until he goi *o the : whisk v. Kesaidof tlaii he'd have a ??arr-i. 1 cut him ii??;ve to '.v.- i^ajl' ii-. I s j-'ose i?.j commenced <?a that o--to:'-. ta ....cg the grub.** "Ivris!:." said < a--. ;'I ?:<\ \ hi- ?-l ti:?, artv ; way? ca t tat ;??in* of wk* Thoy :sy j got picfcl? jars full.?' <Iu-t-buri-Sl i.n-l-r i i- J ? i>mt. Lsttw him taki ten o:mees omi dav on: ??ap.:}!...!..^'.' "Ye-s. he's one of v itlr- ]r,-ky one>. Rum. ! ? luck aihl a >rt.!-.:- go together, i'ut heed without a cen: Lar nolv>dy ever j go* color from before. li'.l bim ful! of .>">h:-ky. and give iii/;i a pan an i ;?:: jr? u sr?*v*?n. and hell Dui! strai^h* fer tiie ?<:;!*. ?.VK) c-'uspft on the bar. tvf 1 coaM niaiiag** | ' Reed iM brwck Lan ia and u-^ i??n for?, <'d p*inter. as I would Bra-..- Uer-.* t'. j>'in* : -r quail." said Big Dick Wc T>:!.">-. <I this iiTif<?i"tn:?at **s t*abin on our way home, and h* .-,rd him cni"sing . ls ' and t?.ao but hila mvisiide. If wa** -t ii?*ri*i- 1 l-l- sc,icxvl hs tb . .;...!..>- ;ovi stilhi.-s ?hr* night. Issuing; ft*- it rpd. from ha*--of a craggy mountain whi h l>- .??.??[ in i'.:-- '. J?.*.v*aani??s' th*, sk e. Chaps. Its the i *"t th-y .-.-?;I \<: *J i> - thctttselveis K*< -a as.*, for the r"r-i : i : ; i * hi th?-ir lives, thvy i'md tl ems?.-iv.- ?:.?..! fr..rn 1 all M>, ?^1 T-;::::^ a? ! ir. n eouni: v wh" '.. t mai?-aa .;<? pretty nra'*h aa l*r ;<l a-- -, >?> ' Kn - a< ss." "Ti>*-*. Y.; ?v?ag now." contihiv* 1. .....*. ! th - stab!-: yiuvl i&uck h:li s:de-.f . and cai] a indep ndt ;: ..-. Thai i- *>. dade pendence' wira th u. m..*ans dislVgaitd r .;? dr.-ss. rongb lar?gnag?*..and a '-utting a av j of the vldcr settlenrent>-. D is ^ g:va! i.:' ri:, ! .-. [rortion ot iv;p_r ::? ?f.uji- .-i <. ar?.i ci->rji. ?i m ?.i ( HAPTKR ?X. Broon^x-rem.iiiie*1 with nc- <*r*vcrnl iebnths before making another trip t?. San Ki au<-i"c<? He^taught rn'? *"j>a?min?* cut* and th u ... of rb- POCK r ! agonize, ? r .};1y> i. o-v ;- i- , t*egth** knack of that irisimmetd. lt is to by nw*ki*?i wdtih the left baud, 'wa ile water":is |X?ured h\ iii.* tiri**; ijn :i,r> <]}-,-' In the top hieve, and my ri-ht and Wi am.s seemed i continually trying to do rach other's wo; k, therighttlhe^shakmxand ti. leil ? ur inc-.-it leas*, they"?! "-.ak'.- etforts t<> tb-t < -f -t-and often vvas 1 -> in iatcd by the s?- ndng .."utrM: iu . ? otb ot my arms and , tb" nia, bine, that 1 was ttmpted to kick it to pieces. j ? Broener would lau;:h. saying: "Take it j ^skr. Sit down and let vour mind rest. ? Theres where the trouble lies. V? ?ar mind is j Trying t-> educate your body :<> i he miacca*- i tomedmovement, an 1 its hard work at first j for botli teacher and scholar. Don't get ' angry. Recollect how many times you tefl : d >wn when you were trying tc- walk-5 rn a few days I ma-?* ?:. . ci the rocker, Ik fore leaving Broener thus ad vis?vi nie: "i will lea ve you twenty ounces o: river da h Use it when yon trade* al Rankin's, i've "Vtalted* i!t' 'laim here beside. V<-J don't knew what that menns? Scattered Sianis .hios river gold dust broadens: in it. so itsvj bonnd to yield four or five dolla, ? :.. day wi:ii j easy work. That'll k-1? un the i epntaiio:! of ? thc clain-. We mu ii seem to U- making-j something h-ue If I sz\z&\ it with To.olmune ; river dust or dust from the dry diggings the ? .trader would detect it. That w<?idd excite ; .Ui'?ir curiosity, and tint's what we want of j ail tilings to ward off.' "1 want'.to make as quick work as j os-a blo." be continued, ''of fae 'Bani:* np the moun? tain. J don't think it's a vein that'll holdout long, lt's nor the right formation. Th" ledge Ls the same on loth sides-granite-and that s not a good holding ledge for gold. A quartz-vein to hold out should lie between two different kinds of rock-say, granite and slate. Kow this gold-bearing quart/, gets j poured in between them, as it is apt to lie, tho 1 Lord only knows. I think ours is a short lived deposit-mighty rich so long as it lasts, but whee it gives out it will peter all at once -like some people's goodness when the temp? tation becomes too strong." Ic was about the first of March when : Broener made this trip :o Sais. Francisco. On ! leaving, he said to me: '.Watch the 'Bank' very carefully, but don't ' touch it. I want to do all abe work on it myself. Go to it every day, and keep au j eye on ail stragglers, prospectors and strau- j geiN, and the more ragged and 'no account' a ? man look-:, the more von want to look out i for hil ': I was left alone. But six months had elapsed since I left Eastport. I had now time and solitude to think things and hfyself over. I seemed to have lived ten years in os many weeks. Easqaort hud my E?stp")rt self seeded -of some " remote iienod. I was j?i't a?d parcel of a n?w life, amid new sur? roundings and new men-not a mere looker on. but a watcher vitally interested in every movement about me. because it m:;ght deeply affect my own fortunes. Above au I beyond nil in my reflection? stood out this man Broener. lu one sense. I * was his follower, absorbed by him, led ! v 1 him. He was entire master of the situation. I I looked up io him and admired hi-; keenness ! of judgment, ins ease and adaptability to men : and circumstances, his outside appearance of . recklessness, which seemed Lui a cloak for j the caution underneath. Yeti did not pd wholly tc lila- Broener. : One reason was, he repelled' anything like a wann expression of friendship. "Don't try to thank me for what you say I've done for you." he remarked o^e ..-vening, ? when in certain set and to some extent pre? viously-composed phraseology, I attempted l<> : do so. "You ow..- me nothing. You ure as 1 nyilil t : me asl am to you. We suit and :ir into each other for tte time K ing, home power fashioned us to do so. Thank that, whatever it Ls nc: me. When thing- shap-e . themselves for us to par!. ..>*.- p ?rt-aecordrng ; to the same law-for cur manta! a Ivautage. ; We may part friends, perhaps enemies. We ' can't tell what we shill grow into or what \ may grow into us that ii make us friendly, i indifferent or hostde to each other. Th a's my doctrine. In plain, old-fashioned words, its every man for himself in reality and the Old Scratch take the hindmost. You don*; like it, I see. You believe iii friendship io the last and clinging to whatever yon like until it's in the last stage of decay and billing yea with its poison. You believe in hanging on to a friend while he, m u b a out of pure ignorance or selfishness, thtoagh las weak? ness, dragging you tc rain along with 1 dm. I don't. I kke strong popio, so long as iii ry are strong. I pity them if they l-eeo'mj weak. I cur from a cripple when Iii -cans on me too heavily." . "And hov." with worn? nf I asked. .".r*3*h?t*s somewhat another a tia ir. ; auras fcowomv n a tyrant ia tins way. 1. or rather the natur e in-ad . of me. exacts of t. v.omaa Who. attracts my admiration-or comp .. it. rather-tba -h.-shall .. :r inn? t*> du so. ?J shedoesu'tl lent, rli . same as ?vi .'i mn. To remain "'U .." us-L i-cali . i i-''.>:. to re? ma u a hypocrite au i pretend a .-eutmu-ni viiich is uot felt.*' Broear-r :a:<-dto mean i - .>-.:a glitter? ing in tli . sunlight and 2*e:! -ting tua: i-gui from a;': a-.ni pimiSelesi bul call '?. the teach: im.1 o ? uv 'UK : .:: cnpiea-e.nt to near approach: plea?trgoirly so icc:,; a3 (':J inainlaine I thc prop? r ?lista:. : .. . Yet si??irdly; he was over '? > me mo-* fas? trinattng. and when ho chose c< uld reakeoae forget bim a . the iceberg. An .'duetted man, ba: not a pedant: U?ot lea;-..-i. !;ut no:.bookish or hook tnlkai-ive: elive io the pr? ', btu .t< nuica ii not :iR>r?* fu?";. - ; :.> ".be present, and especially k---u in in;.; and more in makingotb? .> se. the "p'?iu' ." in varied array of huhiaa nature or; J'-jii Bar. IT i< tra-- ma h of his conversation wa- in? terlarded w i* h \ ho slang and c ?as vcr. ] ara - - c?lo ry of the day. '.ilike,' he -ard. "tie* ).xsv>r times of talking e*: deshabiH .- its hard w.?rk io feel -ibliged contiriua?ly to express <-..:?seii' ina tl?:?:i-dress <.:" noansi verbs niA pr?-? ??sitioas : prev?oasiy arranged for you by some old pedant Whycould?f? ?hi-iv-be a.cour?j?r/.'mise ; n?ade betweea bo?>k English and eveiry'i?ay * English? Twoald make life c.isie-. There's a goo I d.-al of slang, tee.-born ot .. --ii v. lanes. < . as.circum stan- .;-.-<: vc < >pe> p*----iori i | which can onlyt>elong t<?ib*i' tin-'~ a: lera, i People nmsi have th ir ev.ey ?lav v.ords as 1 Lli.-y have their every 'lay el .iii in a Iett?-r i rom h?>ai . ir '--a- ca .:ailv nr-en tioned that Elanehe Sefton had :c-f: Ea-: ?..>:*tand was living, they believed, in "New York. She had I" .com*1, it was a<ldfl. nuav my^teriot?"! than ever, and had quin- sun? dered hersch' from Ea*ip"?rt j?o?;pi?'' From Blanche ue;-s-l;' ] heard m thing. On< ol ii -j remarks ou the evening we partclwa^ that she would "writs if sh- had anything to wri?e.** and would iik?* sae to ilf# the sa:p.? She disliheti, she s:dd. I . .c:?.e I-'.ters ?-x P .?.:-. ; her at regalar intervals !?y any ri?e, il vas too. much like <?< ."re p by maehinery. Ab- ut a fortiiigh* t:ft*;r Ik'- ner i-ft, a -?rane-T '-aas- sauntering along t?.<- bank and stopjxrd rh- ho: . from whi.ai 1 v.a. taking and wa-hing gravel. ! \. \. some what excitisl that <tay from having . . <.:! ii f?..!-..-.. r?f hr.ivh he?.vv gra.v?-l lying on the h tige anti in a -f.-'p ? revir?. Ir wal- vi- .'.bVg rh hiv atid without uni .>;' any ><: Br ...::..?. s "?iiting." When a man kn??ws . ry backe? he dumps into ??is "treadsei ve" ?s*o wash oat lil'tecii ortwejity >:>> ?:<r- v.'?rk f comts:mor?' lik^ play. ? Jera i ?nally ? \V'?u?<! p?ek a hi? of ->!?ot' eo;irs.-g??ld from the dh*u oad dirt naasi I?:- V.-TV rj h ;<. k ... goM on the surface. I* sift! ly that rn? ?ta I i- ."-"ar ?:i . last 'diing to !.*. so mark ii is ii ? :- u ii? :i'-v to'si?tk und?-rn aili th * light ? g.'"av i. The stranger wat'died u: . ro:n?* mi. tites in -ii'-n .<.. iiej?vasa tam .ol nnlil ? a g-\ p .ak-* I in f'-ature. e.nd ?jr.i:'>t:.i Jurih?-r ag his iij?i?e."tr:iace i will say ??nl} ilia- j: . mad-' ru - fe?d djs3?rt"?;able TI: . rt ir ? il m . Idlc v?niv alxa?? him. i t* 1' i.-,,oi !a- ; >> :<.?.)' hi-. i?H.k wa.- fiired <>n nv a dar-g-r ced no ? i : a ;. My appr?-heb?i<>ns w< !..? ia '...ea -1 O'M . --ia .i: :? : . varri'-l a Irian::-': a ':.;.:?:.::. hainiii.' .. shap--I '.vnr-siv f??r breaking u stiiali pi..<..> ?.; i .'-k. I knew i-\ he ."?. ?:....! Ul?- "liew i:jt!. !-ii'i" had ". t\h.. would >.. : .-uv h'-re t<. ban* p. ir:.: "How"-': pa.vin :"* .-?-k-- I the vtiae y<\ "Mi?ai:d-ig;" ? :??>}>'.: I. cvrt'.y. "V^-ti h -r- iongr "N">. I -ai I. .\-\??-. ?>?? :ui I ' >-i. i ?re t?. u . VT on. -r . I diu'.: kie?w." ' ?' i\ . aad elaitij . I U"\ ! v.?u .'' "V'.;i m.?>i tr; f?.r ;.'.:>;?.. k. Ta\ - up .iain:, and i=' at^i'^iy i-io- i" :b-v'ii i: *r?-aaa >: i: ? . ... -aJ. -ii.mg r ? V - . to ? i n of t!i |Utl"-Cl. ld- baa u; I ... iii, ?I. alt ? . :ih:> :.. .}. \ ,ng i .a ! ?."! : wno yo-.ar ..el l. ! - po .?. man .-..'i !. .' k ?r il '"ia t h.' s. id i "ri . < I .ok whore he ha . a right *. wai mv reply. "i'?ut you have no m.'?re ' . mesi my ground ?."re than in my h v.ia ilUg??t r-1 i<i;<:\\ ii. Ho clamh'* red out of {'.?.> bedo, taking a'l aiy peace ct mind -with har. a: he wenL lu his discovery o? ilut? bi! o? vvbiso :ook, flecked wit h the yellow metal. Iso.v ih end of futuretrouble. It iras,{riving tile !"?und the true se?-.--:, and 1 PL ilia* this man woixi : never < -.. bi-; ef.'or - tai lie ba i nm "the gerne to earth. ..Vii this irame to rn - in .> moment. TTie brightiiK-T- ..; tli-' day ind goa.\ Before. 1 bad b - a singing ia a ..'oliy fas'*ion myselE and Irving in bit . ?>[ air e:ts< les. a ; tan *v hr-Ut th among \v.hieh my soe -ay re*um '.) Eastporr. a?a romparutive na.x> >. wa-, nos the adlest or least glilt--rin r; ??a-? came tow<. - .. 'fha- v..*ry af teraoon Mr. Jo?lr il.i'o Prat: !.. :;- d a rhirry-rhre-j f<-'-: claim adjoining oms an i commenced tu? building nf his cabin on it. That his ]:in cipal obj*.-: was to h'm* rjuariz in tri" is -uh borhood I was certain. That he had. with out kii?^wj?g it. pla ... I hbnsolf i:? ti.- - IM^I jKisition for spying oar movem-rii?; was also certain. Next day came more ca.. - ?ppr ;...?*. sioa. ['rat! .vas join?ed by a parin r. a thick set, blaek-bearde1. ?Ma: ....?.?< .king mau. H<-ra w; re t wo ni -ar a**igb hors, and both enemies.. War was fully declared between us, tarage no high words passed. Jr wa-; the silent, secret war o?' intent on one sid ' to find, t-a the >>ther ts conceal ( ?f o>urs?. Prat: aud h1< companion won' 1 remark mv trament abseil..?? fron, my claim. Th-y woid'I be hunting quartz up and down the mountain, and would be certain to inter? cept me m my daily tri** to ao l from-'tite "Bank." Then I re; kent berco with dismay that, the mountain s;Mo -was strewn with bits of (inn*::'', its milky whiteness bringing it out in strong contrast with.tue red soil, and that, in sinai! anil larg-** fra in.vnts. it was especially thick near the claim Now .these b.*fore un-: confered masses ol r? eL .> 'erne I to m .* as .so.; many finger posts pointing out to all our treasure. I passed th?-w-u<de. nigbt iu a. Seater, and suffered a. dozen realities in : imagination concerning, my uviKiag "roubles . with Pratt & Co. ? wrote immediately to Broeu T. informing ? him of the trouble. Butin th osa day-, com- ' munication by mail with San Francisco ?vus slow. \ week at h*a--: would claps.* before : Broener could get my letter and return. CHAPTER X. DEATH' "vVithin three days Pratt and hi-* partner, Hillyear, had completed th'dr cabin. Pratt 1 saw .-starting out one morning with horn .aiiddsaminer. I knewby4h-se tools he was after (paart i. Hilly ..'.ar remained "tw-hind to : work the bank near th m. probably jto make j expenses. Quartz prospector? used to carry a bit of j cow's hom., so . cu; as t ? f. nu aa elliptical ; slur;K-ci howL lt wai better fax washing pui vet ;u -d quart*: tua:* : li? ter? r gold j a?:. Pratt tOt?k a route through ti* . chapparal ; n..ar tba bas-* of -br. '**oimt-**ii: ea ti. side where lay '.ur * i '? 1 -.MV-L--! a couple : of ho*:?*- i . a ad--rai::'.;?.*.'. ol' nd" i and : then betook my elf o th.- ""au":." in tending th-re t . sra y a..': "?Ja * an i gua.* i i. h% i;::- : agination i ?i? Prat?. ahv-ady th rl->a.! ag O'.er th * ri.-h tin 1. 1 >-f. n*>;. . a the * . :s ia : ><hi. u i s* or i a fir?l adc'ress "hun. ? framed : bi: :a*-'vv;- :.::??] a??itt?d-ti toward nie. 1 pic turd oca* graduai working up to armai hos tilhiesr nn-j ?he?:--1 stopped in n slough of ii.d< - i.-:*.;*. j These vi-ru days when all disputes, es? pecially those regarding prop?rti-, had. in cine . .-.-...< out o' ten. !.a: one mode of scttle u.enr. ''har was by knife or pist<>i. 'J lu's wac. the unwritten law of the land and stronger far .han the V.T?T?.-U. which was: gi neta Hy a mocked at and diregarded for? mality. I I was not a tigbt*r. ? dreaded the "la-st* resort.*" ? desp!s**d myself as a physical cow? ard 1 longed for something m my com? position which ...would makeinc face a pistil or go into a r-.w ? [th :;s ?mich apparent zi-st to "take The chances** as I h#d ku?wn some tuen tn do. 1 i-dmir-d such m?*h for this ?p::di;y {whether a real abs'*n'.i- of fear i"- iu :..:>.! iii ty i.^ resui*> I know not] and depre car?il ?:ye. loathed myself. !..-au-" I did not hav it. I saw in imagination evcrytliiDg t r-'.iug to terndcaiion bet ween a:v aa i Pratt. Wb- th r he w/.id-i fight o?* not 1 ne*. ? r a-ked. ! pu- him up tincoh scibus?y as a man who was "cn the shoot'"-a de:-p- . cha:*acter. True. 1 had stru -k ?': ?!. v-ot: 1 omeer . ? i".- .' at; rdarv Ann. and i?a:t,- >t'r:?rw-d ead;.wrng?ati:i?*d i was io :;-al ) -. -u!d strik on utcasions. But that eas . ?vi ..sj vir * ;' thc morne:/:."' Had T gone d?v.V. to ' t'a. >hip .*.!>..'ta:/ su'dj ar? at?air. revolving ir. hving it over in mind. I won! : n like t-? b; .. La 1 n.wcgered cn th .*: to wheth *r I . :..-old 1 :v- gen-*.*! th-*-, m ? ivoged-for ? : : :.. -, I of ph;. .. . -.ai yt ..lib: : t - . 1 ;:r:v(-i ::: thc "Pa .;:.'" All va silen" aa-: c idi: ; . : ? d. 1 remained ?hi - severn: hours, lierai::,, in . very -i.- :. .*. pr*?..s> ' jK*cto;*s aahiiig l?;--ts?.*p>. Hetli'Xnot j c.;...-. I w isl. dat tim-s v. r::UL;m . end the w#;i* iair a:;.:.- :: I ? v.? v- h V : ' be 'might be. Finally, my unxh-ty ";- ..-..mia-; nuwiduraVde. ? :."-!...: :.J trv and tin?! out. j Bofth I Ict tnv.seif .Vovn th - rn omtmn sid * through the <*hapj-.*?rai toward the river. I h ld ;.;on-* do ..n ah. .ut three i ^?vod fi ' " enc: :eard a? rr b*y th'- soi md of a pick. Cr?*et?::ig through thc* bruda I saw it was Pratt. Ile ?lug to the ledge. Ir r-* but a *. w : inciies 1 '-m thc- .-.urta: . till- i his hom with th . red dirt and "rud rt- '. down to thc tiver : . was} ii. ! i" . ; : :i?:'tjv aile*" idm. ?Va-1'ing ; the dirt; with wh-rt reSait*; I maid not tell, : frorn his n.a: a. r. a .?ti'tu.rk up-the l?oimta?n furd-?-a:.! ..:h. r hom 'fnh. abotit <>n* j hundi /d f: .v t . th.- north ?..: :Ji . th>r. Tlie j r?. s* dt rf t ;. . '-.a - .ria ; seem judging ?r?tu ; bis manner. a:?. ... *.*'*is?'a -ioi-y. li - then ?t av-b d .'. ri- ar-ava ; -er further 'up*?treaiu.. a-'-. na.d ;h . U:'>untain again, cur a ho*n ? tail on a levy! with liv hrsU He washeddt. nu J sj o-'k id. head, i pr?.*s;uned he cit i not p. c ti:-- "< .*!"!..'' iii- dug auorh'.r hi ?rn abouti ; two mriirh'tsi-lVoi hearer''.'th? first, The cha**- 1 :?:rai wa- snore "". ". where ?i . worked, and ? wu ld j lea -ly sea him from m*?" idace of cou- ; ' r.*almcnl. Evh't-ntiy d.i-* r>ri?sjvc? did not : -alisiy hiai. Th * n- xt. taken wirilia "ii" j ' Intudred fee? of the last. sCuuad ta yield : ?o?nc?hing. The afternoon was now far ad- j . a: -..I. ?Va:' d work and took LA cay .-?.did ?. i: va *.?>:::*.* rarefaction for me to find i.:*at ; [ Pratt h*;d noi "lit"* din*ctly ors the "Balik." ;; ['oiidcri:.-** ov.-r *di-- matter ?h it. night after I , lani !.. t h ed. 1 l'a i w f< r a time .-??in*.* ?*onifort [ ir. ihehoTH-tliat lie might drift in his work ;| iv.;:y fr-vn i:. This ^a-.-.... mc svnic mental j iv< nr-til a fiend"dropped inn. my head -a . iK-w ;i'i i most ahu'ming theory, Imsed on In's in? ion- as s,-.*n ;??a; i.'ay. Pratt's Ii t? le .pr? ?s- ; [>.<-: I nulwere dug r.vi-ran:u>*a ] Un-ad at th** l*as?*.of the mount.in. ian uar- , l*?.v. i??g :::. .! *? .'iii 1 in-a'-- 3 e rut nj). Wba! j i.i! meant In ii flash 1 *-: v.' what, rind . jun",**.' I out nf mv i !a??kets with the sho?*k j the diseovery. ile was b-it-ning ....id w!:i.-i: ; j ba.l wadn-d ?nrm fron, ti e "Bank.** The ephnk*" did t:ol cover naich gi-?>und. Prob- 1 j .lidy .!?... La s wa^u.-d fr..tn i* by the ele- j r.'.- nta! -.'.ia- .vt '! tear of centuries would not ; [A* !'..:? u? i a! ; he-base ?u ..'... a.--u?-'ain muri: ; .. '. a i a bn>- four t'v hundrivl feet in ? . e?;-r}:. Ct:'--.i.- of ? his. at .i'be:* ,i,d. thc 5<. i ; won id Le }jaj*r.-n >?f In>?de ??f Iba: i :m:-:be; ..f r.-ft i* vvotild yie/d the e.*:*.r. an-l , h.-""'''v vt- Win?; ground iv.?aid nan-; nv as a iv*. ' : a npthe mountain un?ii i- r. a '.'had th?* ( . ad it b.ad roil? .. bf rot n ?th * fountam h-ad. ? a . "?aird;."' it- 1! a Lag?:' sin,-' di.'.vhiii* ir- . .iai.-.i plane :?hd y ? -u h-jy ?'?... t ;.-:.. '!'.... j >u:b-r rh.? -L-t iv.'l tb -a"?* v.ill tb-v t .prend. S?i vVith poid rolled n any ijh :. :/ ri .?. :i : ' . . I li f th ; lia-, r? .? :v*.P;r.vav-a.'j-l : ; "....? meta; ; ti;: ? I \\a- -.it li.- tr>.' .?*.*: I. I !ay a::!!".*.:';.' ti- .x.-at *..;>. v. a - i:-- ? tpi-- -.anv- t-. tis .'..ii' 1 had: th-e, :?. >ta\ b\ th.- i ?aim i.n i *.*..;I-, ii the . a ..; - rradnal -n ).)... :< ;i. I N?-xt.H.orniiis* I p.'loaded in; si*? :.- ? ..ev...a-v ;;. ia^ th - .-?.I . i :t". w*l?H, I i .'Hied ii '. -a !... ?!.-...ti**? A iev: tui'inT/*-atl'-r ? . h'.*:r?l I'm;: i na; atv a*.?..*:v. ..P*. ,...:,i?. -ind .ti i\ .;-i -I. 1 j r- p i-'-d ?-?V ?*. a >'?: : .n,*::.-;.* ? . .- ; I - i ??: i . . u ?: i? .-; .-i . ?:.:u: :. ur. ? . ? ?a:r; li'' :;. . .. .!.. i ...!?? . ... . . . >i;. ' if . .i;.: n e :i..is i-f pr- .? ;.>:. t . st -:: . ?' ^ ar a -i ! a-l-? hi- ap i i, I was "ti rna rd a.- iai. ? . - .!'. .. it? .fie littet ed a: . a r:. ?. ; -i lu:?-1 ?: i*. . * cia. anock'- the i 'i a "-nts * ? pi .. '? ad Hound c ?--. 1 '?: ? ; ? jo."-- ...??';. - a . i, ; i he qua'-' bis * )\?r -ad an?- ? .:a': ??tcK \i i. co tanny ? ? ? i '-.ig . -.?. ..i " ;..?.j- !? .-.it h'i*. ; t lie ;n-Pd a, gradua?ly Jowgjd t?-*? - ?j??f " oi. v/iiivij lay ?h-? "it:mk.' ii nvlTci^?^oitx4 what toward the ria-r .TU.! thea "ha^rped ol? I abruptly, makin g r. perpcrtdi'.aiJar lace four or- ilv-.'j.fi ii; Ivrlgii:. Pratt ...oui'.! news-ea "ti ; : : ? "die quart"! had i<-kd ir? .un this .-h.-Jt. and *h:.: th- winmust t<e -< ne-we.-.-- at or hear its >p. "ii":, no I here r Ihg?rd hue mutter "aud j mighty rle':, t, .-?'** 1 h.-arl rda. .>.-r:e,::h'-ee* ?a. th- wall r?,f r-v-k. j a--M.: Ta- hh:::e;If Kv a,,."-- a ad br h TOW::?'- ! in ti ie .'.>'.' i La..?.-.! ?:ai an nr. ".Vi! I sid;- v.-r-.s >;::i- the yr'Hyosv-:C Vi-e Cauiroravia j sumar J* m ?aa day- no: hi eg ...j ?if.. jj' -'ghi save a b-e.'-k buzzard wheeling above, hi-, ; shad, w lUjui inj; ah ag th - g;"u:,<!. Pratt hod gaiu.-d tue rop-?f the shelf. He ; ma<?. his way dfr.-e.iv toward'ihr in-.-.- ?.?f the . precipice Ile bu:*st though the chat niara 1. j and I was dj-'I" t?? '.'ina seat-d on a roe!? abo-;: ter: f'jet ir?un th'- veil:. "ihale.e !" -' a- bis involuntary exelmmtiou: "y?i:; h: Vi-.'" "V.s. I'm k I replied. .AVe]k A;]}'." :i- tv us .-. idently at a loss what nevi to say or do "its a hut day, isn't irr" "Brett? hot," J remarked. J thought it was or wou'd be :-? on in every sense, and tho shadow of a laugh camc-over me as 1 thought "of "talking weather*' at such a j^uctaaro. Mr. Pratt sat himself abo down up?;: a j reek, d:v-w a nisry red bra;.'ana, mopperl ! with it hi- face and parly- bald head, and i Baid "Whew!" Then ho j oked the ground before him with the end of hi? bammcr. .md i poked Mother Earth before ase with a stick, Jt was dear to me that Mr. Trait intended stay here a? 1 wait for my going. 'It wa* fiear to me that I should remaiJi-though I did not like so to do. Th.- .-huardon was som . what akin to tbr.c itt which two gentle? men eall ur on the saan lady snsnet?nes fin! themselves-and of rd[ work sitting your nm i : oat ranks amt mg the hardest. Boin of us , recognized K??enc? a; the fa tor rao-t ofh- [ carious for th? removal of his' adversar^- j only while Air. Pratt* hoped that the di?il- I ness of his company might remove me. I had no hope that my taciturnity would remove j Mr. Pratt from- the \ ieinity of the golden j mistress br; ku: w v.j?.> near. So-wc sat one. fair hour, and tb? longest j hoar of my life Pratt n?ndc tV tii-si move. ? He commence J examining the rock a -ar ths . solid mountain formation. Near-r he ad- j vanced toward rh? place where tk o-uer had ? screened the worked portion of the vein wiri. ; a-layer -of cat bru-di. He was ia the ar-t of removing this when ! called ?jut: "Don't j tone h that brush.- plea .="!'" ..Why uotT sai? Prtstt. dicing back. '"Xever mind why nor. Don't tou -ii it." I said, advancing toward, him. feeling as if on my way to the s?caff??d. "Well, young man, do you owu this moun? tain'?*" he said. "I own that brush, that's ad," was my reply. Tl".-bra.-]-; was ranged against tbs ? white ! streak cf rock for not moro than ten nr ? t v.eive foci. I'rart passed il. Dis eye feB j on one r-nd of the vein-a it laehed there by fhep?Vk. lie cc-ianaBCi d chipping il with his hammer. .fioa n-ust let that rock alone.** I said, goirg iowar I bini : Pratt was now up and doing. The war Lad ...<?mmoneod. "Oh, tome!" ie exclaimed, "don't you f v>l ar und meany more. V ?a mast be oft year head. This mo*antam*s as much laius a.-: yours." "That*- my eiram." I said. "Let it alor."." Momei?tary wonder showed itself ir, Pratt's *ves that any one el-.- should know of gold in this heai' '..Your claim.** iahl he. "up here* What sort of diggings do voa call thesrj anywayf" ' Pe:hu-s you know as well a- I. But that's my '-ham by right of discovery."* "Where's vour norries?*" The written rv '1 iee on the ground was then mdisj*ensabie to hold a claim. We h.ad none. Br caer had put non . ap, knowing it would i.trrae* at.-, n'ion. "Where's y?>ar tools;" h . eontiuued. T- o's lei: na a claim were regarded as ri"-: inn ot!:.m r:i-?ja!s of p?>ss-.r..siou Dcoener had kidd.1:, aw.y th.- e he used-where I knew n< "No no:ices, no tools and no work ?l<*ne, an?I-you calLtldsaciaiuw*" .-aid Irait d<-rLs :v. !v. ("lea'dy as to th? raining rights of 'he pe? riod bra.: had iii - It-t of mc. ifelt til'1 moral w-ukn.-'a of the situ iii a. Pratt .. med also :.> know hi< ?>wh streagth aa-i n:y weakness in tin- resp .?. . Meantime h ha-1 Uik'-'i ' his si:; ..?r and .-??...!;. vi jr. ;!. - :<.:.-? fa cing m ?. and hui the "drop* cn :<??'. I was vpoAverL.-ss. "Nev.*, young ti'tah';*" ..tl : he. "[ give you while i . o.m. i -a to get od this gre:: ad an-1 if y-.a-d-.a: til pu i :;. tall .".hror.gh yau. D'ye hear? Get ' Vtuaosl (hie-r-two ihr. i-.*' As h?- s[?>ke be niable a ttep back'vari. i.t was al! a juadd*' "1 rock tv r}s ? /Ar ' " foi ^ \ v 1! .ls he s;?>/'.\ he made a siep backward. ' j 1 fallen bow'd.-rs about. He missed his : \ fa. ting. siumUe'l over b hind a har- b>v.p . 1er. his right arm. wi?h fiag?-r 'oj; thetrhgge:-. ; j Invoiaatarilyijerkcd upward, and the pisto: ? , .AP:- di-eh-Vg - d. ] .M<-M in thesaaif spot, howataay taintttr>s . !ka??A a--'-.P ting-halfli 'p' ;g. t?:.see pratt , rear?>-ar. A-21 was sih-i.:. hi l ?u ?i:-a i I ap : ; : ? h . i f.-vf where he ha i fail--!. 1 i \ ro.' l ? a lae :-o: k aalooked over iL There . - Ur: Pratt, th r pi -ted dro -ped from his hand, i , ni 1 ti..- i.:?Jod o..zing from a wound ia :h-5 j ; ri?.-lit temple. j > " J CHAPTER XL i.1 V"i". j 1 T had. r.ow a den?! a:aa "ii my baal- and ! , lidift know what to do v\ : * : ? hun. Prat* ! 1 , re .>.: aie nieat.-?ly \> i?h as great a wicht. ; 1 i. :i-??.. i: : ' .'? ia! living He would be st^otj j ' ?P--1 .-a -1 --a^ii: for by his partner, j ' tiillyear wouM rind his.pifjspec.t holes. This ; ivoaM bring th--- search ia the neigh!v-?rh?>o l?>i : ?he .-] 'i-u. If 1 fd.! ?uv s?..-ry ot the manner : 1 n -which h' Int his ?lea:!:. t>h?:?:tld b-e hard- * v.-:.-.!P.-h Thea i* w.-hd l'-ad in-live.-:iy | . o i!?. d"s*-o\'M'y ? ?.the ..Baak." Ia whatever : xr.y ! !. ..?k'-i ? "saw p -rj i.-r it v. j ^ .-..?:::... bing trittsl t <. don-*. The ?'i;t\ ? .\-s wain u-. i eov -red lin: Lo.iv w i th brush . nd r? Ter a" : r. av-. , N- eriTig ir. ? saw t?l?!vea: s?antii.ig at hi-: ; ' -..ii ;', d' or. eo>-kir?g strpp.-r. ? !: y bu?: th : 1 ire oil'-ide for -uk - -e ?-?-mb?rt. A frying j ? ?an was; propjied -psoas o> ix\f-:ve ?h - h -a Vom al ? I of gi ? .. ia ; ?-oa!au i ?a ii wa- . lu :. <\ . uiic;'- I'-ikiu . of 1 rca Ti Tb? was : .v.kjhg iron: rmi: \-> i ui: - np iii . river whit. ' . , i .-v. .::>'!..'. vvhu ii u?"Ci>uipjj.aies ' k a * *>f V.;.M ai- I.JV ?> :;.: o?i.* who llaover . r, n u."I tar. . i>l <bo.v n< irla? :ai!etl ie^. ? t .Se-TI an thing '-:' !":a:.tr* :; \\ h i" ' *.>...*? ' 1 bad spei: ibo hist . : . .. ? : j*ai!' ud> ?ke a ni;nrder?T. be-.-i:: e. .j:--a?.:-::: i; ' a! \ . I -t>5- in lb- j .< i'a n o. on . ; ?-.. i. talk a - it i -ar (\e?s.-:e.!ee"* e.-aS o ': i! i aol !i:id i: .; ! thou;, ht . ? < e..-? ; c a ! U> tb .-vi th r :. e. . uing. ?i*J o , .i,. nt s s. - . -.j.. . . . . xi. ,;l, ; ,?i vii V btfi !. 1 I; iv a .. . ! .:.?;..n I' " ia*, ca vviih eiia natioii-itViU < t:a c. < :a es tn : wk:..'<-.. Mr. Bandi n Jul :v:- c-^l Mn": j lay a e.etv suo.dy ?n prov:-ion.- t.-.?.>; St.?-k ; -.n. and \\3 . -ej-hng hi. r-irrac-r. who acted , ... bu'-er au 1 tcs?iite'r . .-..a' for t% : poor qua?i*.*, of some cigars lie bad brought up. .if you bm- nay moro cigars like them."' sai I he, ' i want you to !:i?c and bring up aaa*?.men:To smoke fb-rn. Th*-"e IJOC~ crea Turcs; abo::* n haver, T ?urnsstrong>noug'.i te- draw GU "ern. Th >? w. ali their strength todraw- rfv-!:s nut. of the bed of thc river, and it's for my :.;*..->?- t t.. see that it's raved f?>r that pu rpo-. . -. ai ti e rafe i'm chalking up flour. I uots and -..Ld kv against them.*' --ot any b'-tt:-' ; :a:-x der: the last lot?** asked n miner, wh\. inst coming in. hal not heard Raidcin's icai rem rk. "Yes.v replie! Itunkin ''Splendid lot Havanas-ord*, il ?vants a bull '.ena to draw one. Try one. You'd tin i ?'il la t p -n a month. Jost the utiaditv *>> sra": your --as... 'Voa sn:- >ke too much. Thes - cigars are .got up i.'X,.r.:si to ?aire people of smoking. One'il la-.-t au ordinal".- man :i v. h. ile year. Ask Mike, my j artner. hail 'em ma.le to order.**",, Rankin's gabble iva; a relief. Big Dick came in. and forgetting pist aduvmitions, hoisted his huge- p?opwrti&n.s on tue limited area of counter aacovered by goixls, and immediately got off again with a quickness that suggested some uncomfortable sen? sation. -d-Mad it *<-..rks.** said Bankin. """S&t??n' t nt a needle stuck through tlie ^-?x).!. Home folkses heads ire too thick to take a hint. Tii.-a -.ve try som? other part. *?f at first you dont sn -:-vd. try. try again.7" chimed Bankin, nu.I then added: "'Needles and ( ?ns. Needles and pins, P."hen you gert saar ried your trouble begins.' " Presently Eillyear entere 1. A cloud seemed to com - -.nth lum. To mo it was as if the vindictive spirit of the dead man kept him company. Ile looked about anxiously, as if with the hope that Pratt might bs prescht I knew the mestiing of that look. H??lyear was a slow-moving man. appa r<.ir?y a follower of Pratt and led by him. Without his partner he seemed lost. "Has anybody seen Pratt to-day' He hasn't come back.** after a timi he asked, itt his heavy, drawling *?y 'a sentence with him -seemed .always a matter of previous deep end labored study, and when asked the sim? plest question the that; tfeat elapsed befere he. ... plied was exasperating to an eager m quirt-r). "Vv'hy. 1 saw him piking along Scrub moun? tain to-day.*" said one of the crowd." "What's be garaohs* after up there, anyhow f "Holder, didn't I see you crawlin" among the bm-hes up there to-day T said one Foll Sefter. "1'hat red. shirt you've got on iooks like th-? one I saw." Pool that I was: I had not thought of wearing a garb which would show so conspic? uously against the dark bottle green of th? chapparal. "Yes, J rook a stroll that way." I sat 1. I feit f.?--eil into such reply. He continued: "What ;iid yer lind to shoot up there' j Rat th-suakcs or jackas i rabbits? Iheard.a shot." I That wa' Pratt's pistol. Sights and j sounds seemed drawing their meshes about ! me. Hilrye-ir was Ndrincr at me in his stolid fashion as :f .-erne faint glimmer of au idea were creeping into his brain. "I shot malling." was my reply. The talk then drifte! toward mysterious murders ac 1 robberies-then common in 1 that country-and r-a-es were mentioned . which bad finally been traced to men- neigh hors of the slam-whose ?ive? had previausly : fchown no such inclination-. Rankin's humor incline 1 him ever to give j ?rn individual tl.e very characteristic which j bc most lacked. Slow men bj spoke of as ; marvels of dispatch, taciturn mea as dbi- : turbing all about by the clatter of their j tongues. I. with my shy. quiet, reticent rnanner, evidently ranked with hin: as a most r>ea?eable character, lt seemed to me j then as if some fiend prompted him to tho re- . mark: , "Shouldn't wonder if Holder had war- ! laid and murdered Pratt. Put another man 1 in his private graveyard.'' ; "Yes." ad-led another second liddle humor- : ts-V. "That's . what he knocks od* work so ?. .arly lot in the morning."' "And the hxst man's blood i? on his ponte DOW; added a third. ' j i had worn a rna- of white duck working ? trousers an 1 a s?.ot of the -blood from Pratt's j body had smear -i them naur the tuet-I had : DO: noticed i: before. This remark called to ru-* rh ; attention of ' till ia the diug>" store. Their evos seemed tn ; Lara: through ac. i felt as if ri tue do rk j tried, convicted. sentenced. 1 left .-rn at: a vard. Hil ty ears route ? horne was mine. We were obliged to walk , nea * each other on the narrow, rpekv- Trail, j v. .;.]. ., M-.e jti a a-a single travel ":*. With all ? th -?ara suipiei a: which i rea;vd existed iz j his mind con -emiug m.- 1 feL: son*y for him.: I felt wh-u about him that his was one oe' those ualares, Lom to follow-that Pratt bari picked him up as h-- would a stray dor . looking for a master, and thar with the in- ? stine: of the animai he had become attached ? to Pratt and was grieving ?> >v him J tried in vaintbat night tc sleep. So soon j BS-itiy body was at res:, and my brain be- j .aaa. . more, active lira*: ever, its picturing* ] vi. rat iug from Pratt's body to the store, and ! from the scenes of that day to thc po-ssibie j :mrs of to- morrow. Something taust be dom v.dth that body. Where i: was ir must jio: remain Y?>u know 'now in our mind- COT..-- floating . inemorr.-i-re-ent er remote, important or j trivia?, and of no appa:vat relation to the. j iruilu sit'oeet "f thought. So in my mental j vision h>;t rfi'dir iran.i rh> black buzzard I lia : : .- a in rhesky the day before thc scciw ; if the tragedy, an ? his hit OL black.shadow tk?ating on tne ground by me. ? That buzzard; That buzzard and his com- : ?auious wotdd to-morrow show to thrj search- : ?rs fc'+reiy v. h-.-re the body lay! Xo animal in \ :hat country may die on highway or byway. ! .n plain, gulch or mountain, andi though it j .e ever so thickly screened by bushes. ; though not or?e of these scavengers be visible, ?.el willan a few hours trooping they come, \ cd by some ..*.on aa r.s faculty of sceiiicir . ?. :.-n to *h-? caret:rh??ir feast. Time body. .1 nms; remove, au I ibis very tight, i .tun a-e.! up. ?Iressel myself in the lark:** s. aa I iu a-few minutes was stn tibling ' ... . ? ? \ to di' lit'/r.:: . ?v-?.:ie. Au**oid ?iooit" cave j . ne Ps fading y e?JowxV?i light. Much "fib.' |; rai:, both up au 1 do va. Jay m almo.it total lari::: -.ss. Where ria- pin -s grow thickly som . hu ^ j Jost my way entirely. I ?;ro?H>.l mu? tumi..', d over b.'i*'a and roak. In two lie n's '. was again on the s;tc:. . It was my intent to drag tire bwly?low:: he motin ran sid . and throw il in the river*. iVhetherit wysfouud far or near, it would, ' ? Ii'thotight. I'-rs-.ea ari l bretik the vjvl?of cir- , , mns'a'itial eviden.v 1 sa .\ wt-iv??ig aeon: . ne. b woijld put Pratt ort' the .aro::a i I mist Irecfaeu;. The fragment ot" moon n- nanda ; wu-> ju<t . ibo\.? th . .lark ?.yt li a . of tb- hdis on the j ali. rs;, te i?f t.l) . river. In n-n mhuitc.s I j hoai-i l e l"it m finial l?arkn.r.?. i c.muren *e?! removing t::-' i.rusii fri>m 'rail's holy. I took i first from the ie^-. , md trunk. The face I didn't want to .ie i; possible. I work..*! the slower :ss j apprviiehed head The mot-ij ?mik iitrrely ..elfin's the dark ridge "..?." ito. 1 remo-id thc h: trsh fmtn ih- lr. a i I had t ea?.h vj he is: -. branch coi ering i . 1 at e*:ae."i \r. ri nove th.n^ S-?:n . 'hin ; wtn:11 * o hold ir w;t!i :V-iredstarie.?. I stooped iw-a*. shive;-iug. The tirane*; va- i b:t<-hcd . ii PrritT's rig.it a .:-. 1. Y.-t th - ?-a.!. i;:v in ' or,... ak-- rigid i'y. lt aid *..?. s-a- I ? !;..;; -aw i" f lr* a*t of a. live ram. lt-.--:a-.l .i-rtl iod\ I.- id bg o:? with :i d wi ii e.. ' ^linosi ije-o-' at v. i S h-.-: : .??*. i tn.: :-i ri 1 h." bran 1. ihn I i:??ird fra" t'..vor *e >z\\ ' a-.r tab:*'.'- "At's'??t'"vour-mou'titainI.'. ? 1 : i CHA HEB Xii. SCSI'!' V>X. p.eaii:ng>>v.-r Pratt I pul telar: ?te* t:.n.;>. do.'! . i\'.\>-< ?.?n tinder ..ir.-ym rauc'-st "I'ra: t [irv \ oj. ali\ '" .?< A*- . r, . d'2* I li' ', iii . . v :. ?i ^ k ! ,' \ ^ ;y?v >^q>:-,. " I', ft'.': OYO ?'.Cl: r>:':'l^,. ' ' 9 The words cara-: from him i:i a feeble, whining tone: "No. no: not that way. Tlia leads Jugher ap -ang?i!y i i h. to >!" ! n-atiared to g.-t h:rn off thr* h--!f. Fur? ther I could not. Th?? ?>n'v - db!-.; reata horne wound in plaees about projection* o? thc mountain several hundred f---r. perpau dicalar above th ? foaming river, where a semi 1 man oc*deci all hi? strength and nerve to keep-a sar?? footing. "Them mint fellows ??re sharp. Jr, -k JU]]. year, mind y u bake your r."v.\ Latch o? br? at I clean through. Rna a straw through - -dough sticks it' "ta'u'r d<sne: nea't pat pork in till ly ans be boiled so yea caa squash "em-else, hard as rocks."" ?S<> he rambled MI. KLs wjrds c?ncarniag the mint people suggest:- i te m ? ?roeners remark ns to their curiosity r. -gar? li mr hi > qua rt/ assays -and their wheres boats. Pratt was evidently delirious. I thought t? ctiliza this wit wandering and said: ."Did the mint people sen i von un horer -Put fresh salt on a bird's tail, an* yoiill catch a weasel ashvp."* was hi/ renie. Then his mind sx.vtr.ed to leap into th* old ehannel. '.p's rica-mighty rich- and thc-v can n hdd it alb" The thing t?s be dos? was to get Pratt to his cabin. Evidently his brain wa- atTe :ted by the wound. I left him-an 1 k-irr"?l to ?iib year. Their ca,'.in was built as thousands '.vere ia tri?se days-au envelope of . ottoa drilling abo".' a light wooden frame. There wa-no wooden door to knock against, or aa vorher n*ieta<xi to-rouse the inmates save by calling. Call I did, but Iii!?year ^uiud sleeping the sleep cf the just. At last, out of patience. I pitx-hc-i a rook into- the frail structure. It tore through thc cloth. E?lyear'.s reply wai a shot, which was not to be wondered a*;. "For heaven's salce. Hillyear. don't tire! It's mc. I've found Pratt. He's hurt badly,*' I erie I. "Uno*.; me'r" asked Hill year, after one of his periods nf ?dlonee. I heard him cocking his pistol. "It's Holder. Come and help me get Pratt down off the mountain. He's lying there with a gash in his hea l.'" Mr. Hillyear now relapsed into .silence. I knew not whether he was trying to frame an idea into a sentence -or peering oat to get an aim ar. me. "Ain't you ?-omingT I cried at last. "Are you going to help me get Pratt down. He'd die before we get to him." "How-did-you-cony? - to-?nd-bimi" ' j came at leng:h from JIr. H?lyear's lip?, with a sort of clownish judicial gravity. "Good havens!" I said. "Will you stay ; there all night and ask questions, while yoar ? partner is bleeding to death' Do voa sap- j pose I'd get oat ot my bed tc stand and cail here like- a foo! for nothing ? "What's the muss?'* cried'a voice in the darkness. Tc was Bill Sefter. who lived i about an eighth of a mila distant. He laid j come, rouse! by the sh^t an I the sound of .? voices. .Tva found Pratt badly hurt oa Scrub ? mountain, and am trying to get Hillyear to ! help ms down wi; h him. Hillyear won't be- j lieve me, and that's what's the matter.** "Hillrear, get up! Don't'oe a fool." said : Sefter. Hillyear finally replied: ".VI-righ+! I'm j -comm* i** ?with an^expsession a-? if he had Innl no donuts a-* to the genuineness of the . news, and had but momentarily heard of it. Our parry reached Pratt. wLeiv I had ksft j him. With great difficulty we managed to i carrv him down the mountain. His utter I anees on the way down all bore vaguely on j quartz bruiting and tho last seen? of which j he had bern eoascioas while in his right mind. To Sefter. they were a puzzle. To j Hillyear. I kuew not how much or how little j meaning they conveyed. To myself they j were a source of great uneasiness. The}' bore first on tas secret of car claim. Next. ( t?ey might confirm a suspicion, which, if not j already developed. I knew was likely to bj. through the singular circumstances attend- j jng tey Soding Pratt so far up Scrub nioua- ? tain in thc dead of night. Ir needed but a j won! of his delirious utteranc3 to make j known thnr wc badrquarrelei We left Pratt in h.is cabin. Seite-, whose ? cariosity was evidently much aroused, said to . me, just what I expected he woul 1: "iiaw did you cone to find Pratt away up ; Iherer I told Sefter that I heard Pratt'-? voice in j the night up the mountain, which was true, ' hat not in the sense I loft Sefter to infer. I j h -ld that evasion was justifiable un 1er th. ! circanistance-?. Ir's not so mach whit we tell that may damage ns as riv? contraction placed on it by.those it may be :<>'<" ir Tha j only way i know of whv* . da questions | arc ask-.- ? that many oeopl ? v. iii ask. to avoid ; cvash^n ?>r untrathfuluess. is to say '"itsnous of your business.*' That, as sjciety is now j const i tutea an d complicated, would Ix? quite j impossible. ? "I wonder *.vhc shot himf* continued ? Sefter. ! "Shot hir..s?-?f. maybe." I replied "Queer business, anyway." was Setter's ? final remark, as he trudged off homo. J saw by bis manner tint ha was full of < curiosity, a?1 being full af. .euriesity would i be soon foll of th-orie- as to rh,? cause of ? Pratt's hart, and that as curiosity aa l ' theories are contagious, lie would ia a short : time inoculate ail P>uil Dar with them. Next day I visited Pratt. His head had ' been hurt both by the ball and the fall The j hallet had gashed the remple-not very deeply. , L'he c?moussion from the fall seemed to have ; tuosl af; coted hun. That enc or tither of j these wound's bad affected hb brain was very trident without the poaipous d?"?claraTion of ! 'Xv physician, who hud been summoned, rc -nat e!tV.-.t. j Sefter was present when I entered. PratS : was lying DU his bcd silent, hut the sight oi '? me set med to excite his brain to aetiou. ana ! sot ia motion the thoughts, scenes and emo? tions common to the occurrence ai th'? claan. i They rna dangerously year, bar did not ac? : tunny reve*i ran as a parr?eif?. tor. ".>*.? t?K)ls! no notices!" h ? tried. "Pretty j way to hold a claim.** "What claim. Pratt/** said sefter. Tia- si.-k man's oyo fell on Soft rr with a gi-?am of cunning. "No elaha." he said, i "We're afta- ra: tlestrvke ->il. Hunting snakes : ia the chapparal. There's ona now-on tho j lead, if -\er not off while I count ten, FJJ < [Hit a bal! through ye. One-two-titree- j Ar and he shriek* 1 os if v ith pata. Hi T'y.-?r spoke.: "He-must-be kept-quiet. It-is tie?-?loo Ler's order.. The-d?vtor-says-his-sary -britilum- Ls-something -or- >>th*r." 'Saucer business- quoor r-a-in ss ' was Sof ?t-r's ?-i-u-ark. as we left the hon*e r.^gethcr. j ?I th'nk he's ska t a skootiu' serape ? feb souie* Xhiv." Brtvuier n-turncd 1 felt that I could now shift a par: of tin?- Inisiuess ro other shoal lers. lb? heard my st&ry. Ar its coiic'usioa ! re settle 1 back and birched, Heredar diaie novo!, isn't it:*' said h*?. .Writ?- it. print ir. sell ir. Well, youngman, oni'tv improving rnpidly: i iv-agraru?a?e .-on. 1 coiildnl Kav.- wish?.-.4 you anything ?.ttei than th? ex:v?r?ence you*v's* ^-?nri nrougli, Voa uee-.lcd it. Vou'i>? th??kind nial mus h?? i ut in very ho' water to draw my tiring on' <.!' voa.*" -Rut voc.'t tin's put all Hull Bar on tb? --eat of t'.i . "Bank"*!*" 1 nske i. "Fii-st. !<. ' e.>e\p ' ni 1 o:n.> whi-k . w ?tb .vigar. l.-::o-> and r.utmeg. Hff< rc v-c t^k ?' iiiisit'ess l-a's rix thia .> >? as t.> n:.-?K bhsi "'s. a ideastir??. u-c bv pottrin;: the s'url ";. v\ i ra.? r:s riv- i >??"s ilo at th 1 st<?re yonder, ; .ut dr-- up the dino ucvmh and tas?.?- , lah 1. .:'.>:?.. wc i ?ii! ?* do-.vu. Th:uv woa?d-j far ! .Iraak it i- if ev.?ry man wa . <-.?m- I ; -eilM bv hw '?. dr---< no :ia-? trim m> his ..-.ink- ia this ?av l?ef?u . iv swalh-we.: . Iva.." He c ?atiniii ( as ie> sip])*l his ] uwdi: . . .?Maki vvinrs-lt eas;.. Holder, about tire cairn Voa have -i\.-.. that all right, or the "ates liav" for voa. Pr:?': won't go up vt > for ?? while, now tb->: his \\i*s are w. -k???! out ?-?f his ...-et. which fer our pur c>.-> ;- !.. *ter far than kno<-hiag them <"''; of hs !. !*- ..-..]-> Pm fool eUi.ngtj ?w> i.'yo the? rf his whs were out of bi - N->-b h??v*d k- tn tmich bett er ^kar1 tc o:n? b;i k au 1 ivveal . ur sr iv? han .i- rh-v nov ai? ?-haia?*d to .-! !.->.'.- 1 skull, and lb ." rn i-ad v .-k ?Vgord r Hillvpar. fr-?rn ?' ?' yon s:?y. is, jud-re <vilv na npj^-nbe- ..? Prat t's. s i;?i ';t\ !.' ?.. ?'.? ;ia?*t."hm-2 w;?l r hirr! At .'ii? \flits, i ; ;it.?i ont .-.>>) As < ' ?'i' ?t:odv. ] .. ! : -if -h'.-.v.i Volt. .??'-ilg^? a* ,v.? .--.\?( th*- wiv-k .-..i.! h up t am .;. i h.?' res* ii . .? h-.-re'-s. 1 t'ait.';. \ fair s!.are r..' :. vy. - . i.-- a- we've ?one." and h? nut su tv '-"rv j- -. mini .-ertitsenre of -le'?...;: !o? ; te .'. . ' '* th - rwk bi^j'.- mine] ..>,;; ^o>~ .wa ... i !??ia';i~ will. v???.ki navras much lo niug toyo ,. .\:v y..i. s.*rls"i??.l " Sat s!;ed; Less than aryi&i tr-rn iron;* and . e possessor of v?hat mEastrw?rr \v8? de^m^i j . small foT-tu-o * Trj thr.^eli-.worcphrai?, j wanten to "pom forth my thanks.** I said: "I wish leonid ii ly express mf feeling ?ni gratitude to yo i." "I'm glad you ra ut.** said Broener. inter? rupting rn'. ."It*-, a good thing for you that you can't I hate '-ff i-'vae-:-. You may ii; ;<art thank your ipfi r. ?> -m i m> dcm&a -Tiri ri veness fo'v what you ead your lack I don't wa&* >s;i> ^??sncrs ...!?"::: met Pe?.i ?es. you"va earn? I .'. hr.'* ,? - ?it g ' - **v '"y cent of ia Fate pu ? yo'? and me'.oget<cer, and with thai pat it in your way. There**! no thanks ir?r gratitud*? tn the matey. I hate j> opie always overwfaebn. d with grati? tad-, Ikey'r? ?k* sort who. if ever thej* do yon v. Lui's i a favor, never forget it, and. in . if ; r. want t??- bs p d i for it forever afterward. i>t:*s change tse subje t. Th^reV a im>'--!; i: th-mr - company at (.'hh.-'se Camp to-night. L?--s go anti see the show. Yon need a chang? fr?Sfc? ih? ghastly buz? zard spying an 1 body hunting bu-dne-ss. Get Rankins horse. 1*11 Lake mine., and we'll ga'iop over there.*" On applying. M.-. Rankin 'aid he would g'a?y hire me h:s h<>:-v. The animal, he ail.*-!, was vicious, shied at his own shadow, "bricked* -frequently ami had l???en th? death of two-men. As we wore leaving he called'* out io Broener: "Th? coroner lives atone end -.'f ibe camp and is lighcenin on a", in? quest whea sober. Th:; undertaker lives at the o*h.-.. Yo3*dl stier take the cloth for the young mans shroud along with you.' They knew that b.e-s . tip therj and always put au x-xtra ten cents a yard o.i white linea' wheu the;? se? h.m comiu'.** it seemed .anothes1 -world in that lan 1 when riling by night. Th' suns hot glan was Thc y ir after nightfall was always ce )1 and refreshing, tor it cam:? o rf the sno* Ijanks ou the S'err i summit-. Our hers*.? were full of lift* an i apparently a- glad to make the trip a? ourselves. The life o' tho hors* sa?ro.? to add iifeto th" rider, provvi ingheisa 'horseman.'* Dist mee at nigh* se-.-ms uanoti ed. It is more ?ike a dream. One travel forward without fo much ofthat aigrit ?1 srtrah?ng to reach one point arter another as do so often our unhappily consti? tuted hurrying mind* ir. the day tim J. So galloped Bro-ner and ?, regarding thoso' myriad shining wonders of ad ages-the stars. "Ix>t*s of *ent.-.sren"t there;" said he. "The stars? Yes," "Small potatoes we are nu 1er .them. Smaller thin ajs?? in comparison, and moving about on this planet for these shining atoms we csu gold. I wonder, now. ct what hn .K-t't-asee pear Pratt, if h>? ha i his senses, would eonsidc? that biggie star alongside of a pm fud of dust. Pratt would trade Vemu fora quartz claim.*" "Stars, speen.Int:on. immortality, etc.," said ' Broen-r. as we rode on. "The three seem m. go togetb-r: or. at all events, stars always - start one on those topics. ? wonder what we are. anyway-who we art?, wheite we came from. an;l all the. rest, i am a eert?Ui amount of life and inrell igen ce in a body! Body? only a garment, a wrap, a machine. Kit a a i>art of the body hard'enongh. just ona. blow, and in one second life's ali goae. ano with it the -gumption' I've been storiag. up for years. Hit it not quite as hard .Uk-; th? cra"k poor Pratt gave himael? and rite intel? ligence stays but goes toiiinder*-all nuriy* burly. Problem: when you bore a hoi? with a bullet through a man's heath doo* ail^hia hjiellect go out through that hole. and., if so, where does it goto: mid might there not be some way of putting a bucket or basin under such a man's head when he's dying, and collecting his intel 1 igen?-e, his quien sabe tor one's own use, just as they tap trees for maple sugar? Wei], one thinga certain: were here, anyway, and I putt? it up that the l>cst plan ts to get all th? fun we can out of it-body. soul. mind. sp?: >.. end any other little, addition the th?ologie philosophers and ra*-taphysi ?hara car. .tack ca? ns.** We rode into tb.** "-camp ." In the language cf the time, it wus "biliu*.** Tbs theatre company had brought in miners from far and: near, lt was a sin-; ie straight str.^~. Prom every door and win low on either side poured a flood of light, f >r --very house on the street, of wood or cloth. -va> either store, sa? loon, gambling tent or some place of public resort. Sidewa'k. street and houses were alike tull of mex The "fandango"" was already in. full blast. Here, alone, were teen women-dark-skinned sonoritis in white crosses, some haying their waists encircled by broad bands o? pure gobi. Riders were . momentarily comiug in. some urging their {.-.>:>es nr a breakneck pace through the*treet. The air was filie 1 with a medley c i sounds- - music, shouts, laughter, the hun?, of several, hundred voices gathered in sc small an area,, tiie clink of glasses and au oecasioaal yell from ioate miner giving veut in this way to. the ??iotiotiS within him developed by whisky. ..Come,"* said Broener. "itel's take a look at the fandango. Everybody goes there either to dance or look ou. It's not the low dance house of an old city. You will And there Th" leading: merchants of th ? place, the bunker, the lawyer, the judge, and ali the other present piila:-s.of society, ia this new world ct. adventurers. Society here, rou ?e?. is in a state of efferve ?cenca, and every body's at the top. Heii"e there's now. no bottom >"or are these Mexican and Chit-: canaan girls like the 'abandoned* of our Anierican or English cities They don't get. drunk, v. ont pick your pocket, and though morality sits lightly ou t hem. still they have a certain respect for themselves which keeps them out of gaiters. ' We went is. Broener ?vas se-oi? whirling one of these tawny beauties about in a waltz. ? followed hi* example. The dance over, we I ft Uoiced his f.r,ijj;pV. ^treated" oar partners' at the cns-, tom irv. to harmless s - la. the only beverage they took, made a pre'eoee of drinking our? selves and left for the The:?::-?. . ., As we were vv.U".- ug tbt? ?bea rr.? Broener. said: -"Von runs* ?? . b ..n . alone to n.ghr. I .shall not ret um li)) so.a.* tiu-e t-> me/ro^J" V" UK e.e> riNl'KO ] A ,!?A it KO IV F Cl PF C. W K Nc;a?.a, Pr - '.?vu. on In? uti? eVO? pi? :'<.?'' nz .'i ?.ectdi.?r ?:_?a:.i.?> in ; IMJ fliest UK . re -?c i* .< -tn in- ii ;. .Ir n .? ?>" g i. ;- ?? . i f ; leif elu'-i lr :i':>l i r>< pi '..ri'.;??. Ij-S M;!?. r< i ..?:: ?laA? fr. ai ,?i*?-ts,*i?>n!:i iiml M:,: ?!.:<*> f..itg.iv? ?jioi np Pr. .AeMM .? I'i. ;j*s.i. ttemciy : .r K iisumpiiou s:ive i h u. ??ti.? >> t> , ?? ty. .tay. s i.: by ?'< K *-.". I ?;. s s KI;j:i??H: ?-/?K 5?WA KN I NC;**. t'.-'K/.i ii: t'.-.e m??rt.iti^. hunie.j <>i .nth.^li . i-i L- .;: :? ?:. ono: g jn.i? ;!,:, : i?;-oin the t-r.v-t ipiicki'Mt . er-, iino-? ii. fi.c e?efiit g i>r s?\*eat? nt i.iglvc. .-.?I i>: ,., these ihin^a ?r< IIM1 *^r.-? .?o.^-^.? ..! :..-4ui.'r?;i ai Pr A.-korV i Utanta:v ;..r Cof-suu-ipti???! .*. eur? olese.fciriiiJ Mii.| ! ?!;'., .i. .! :- ?? cii?tc**;&. '..-'.'..... -a.-.*.??!...? et .! V W. p.!..rn.-. i .imw AW? Mts. W. C. ht. will -.<.":, kid a-:d silk ?loves and e.: iniis wi U?s> t?.:?? order >tt r?--Hsei. ,(.!... raies. ?:,.?n the cot.n:ry r.-. iti; I t ?l'eil^- ? '?;. lt*, hieltet' at M.1S. W. ll. it:'-o:s.... s. criy Si?.? t. KS'! \t??.ISUMS' IN IS?"?, w. p. SUTH; v, ?it? is sr. bi. Pdt :\\ uv :> vc s rn. Improved Facilities^ ^?N?MENTSrHE?OS?&KES., AT BOT-TQM PRICKS WOTM AMI ymnn ?\&mi\&<