Part 24 (1/2)
”For you see we ain't got no jails here,” explained one miner ”An' to leave sech a measly critter run would be puttin' a premium on crime”
When Earl came out of the shed his face was very pale, and he was on the point of passing the guards without a word, when they stopped him
”Well, wot did ye make out?” deold--that the robbery was planned and executed by his partner It is awful to think of taking his life”
”It's his own fault, lad--he should have thunk o' those things afore he consented to help on the job”
”When will they--they--”
”Perform the ceremony? I reckon soes its in ez soon as Cozzins comes back He's huntin' fer thet other rascal”
After this Earl joined Randy, as anxious to hear what Guardley had had to say The talked soold,” began Earl, ”but Guardley illing he should, and he re it up, so he's just as guilty”
”But to take his life--” shuddered Randy
”I hope they change their ht about that ot that, and he had that lost letter, too Guardley adiveto lay the bla on Roland”
A shout interrupted the conversation at this point Cozzins had co but fruitless chase At his appearance the scene took on a new activity, and the would-be lynching party moved to the front of the so-called store, where half a dozen flaring torches and two s kerosene lamps lit up the weird scene Here Cozzins told his story, and then Guardley was brought out, treain to be let go, and his earnestness had its effect even on thea quarter of an hour followed, and then Guardley was given his choice of two sentences,--the one being that already pronounced, and the other being a whip-lashi+ng on his bare back, and a dru that if he ever showed up there again, he was to be shot on sight With a long sigh of relief he chose the latter punishment, and was ordered to strip, while Cozzins prepared for his part in the affair, by hunting up the hardest and strongest rawhide dog-whip to be found
”I don't want to see the whipping,” whispered Randy; ”let us go houess Cozzins will make him suffer as he has never suffered before!”
”I hope it teaches him a lesson to turn over a new leaf,” answered Earl
”But I'm afraid there isn't any reforh manliness to shoulder his share of the blame, but tries to put it all off on Roland Come on” And they turned aithout another word
Before they were out of hearing distance of the ca that Guardley's punishun
The boys had expected their uncle to come back by Tuesday as told; but in the afternoon one of the ht word froet his luht be absent the re to do but to keep on working at the claims with the hand pans, and this Randy and Earl did, Fred helping them as far as he was able The boy who had been so ill-treated and half starved was growing stronger rapidly, and he showed a willingness to do even theas it was gratifying
Friday found the trio working up along a little split in the rocks on the right bank of the gulch The split was not over two feet wide by twelve feet long, and it was filled with gravel andthe tundra Earl had suggested clearing out the split, and he had gone in first to loosen the gravel with his pick About three loads of soil had been reulch stream, and now Earl found the balance of the split blocked by a huge rock
”Doesn't see down his tools to o in there,” suggested Fred, and caught up the pick Swinging the tool over his shoulder, he brought it doith all force at a spot where the rock showed a slight crack
”Look out, or you'll break that pick!” called out Randy, when the front half of the rock fell away, and Fred had to ju his feet crushed As he ht of a surface of yellow half hidden by muck and et nearly as big as his fist He grabbed it up in a transport of delight
”Look! look! A nugget! Oh, what a big fello much do you think it's worth?” he cried; and rubbed the muck off with his coat sleeve ”It looks as if it was solid!”
”It is al the find in his hand ”It's worth two or three hundred dollars at least” And then he added, by way of a caution, ”You'll have to remember, Fred, that this is ht to be worth so it,”
said Fred, wistfully
”Certainly, we'll ht”