Part 32 (1/2)
”You did!” exclaimed Phil. ”We heard only two shots!”
”I fired later on, after he left the trail. He was just gittin' ready to aim his gun ag'in when I caught him. His arm went down like lead, an'
the gun dropped to the ground; so I know I winged him. He didn't shoot no more, only got into the timber quick as he could. Then I rounded up the hosses an' started back.”
”Who was it, do you know?” questioned Dave.
”It was Ham Staver. I suppose Sol Blugg and Larry Jaley sent him ahead to steal the hosses. They thought it would be easy, with us asleep.”
”It came pretty near being so,” answered Dave, gravely.
Tom Dillon was glad enough to rest, and to partake of the hearty meal the boys prepared for him. The horses were cared for, and the boys were pleased to learn that they had not suffered through the wild run along the rocky trail.
”If that Staver shows himself around b.u.t.te I'll settle accounts with him,” said the old miner, while eating. ”But I reckon he'll stay away for a while.”
After an hour's rest the old miner announced that he was ready to go forward once more. The sun was now well in the west, and it was not near so hot as it had been in the middle of the day.
”I wish we could catch up to the Blower party by to-night,” said Roger, earnestly. ”Mr. Dillon, do you think we can do it?”
”We can try, lad. But you must remember, we'll have to favor the hosses a leetle. They have had a mighty hard run on't.”
”I know. Well, don't go any further than you deem wise.”
For the distance of half a mile the trail was comparatively good. But then they came to an uneven locality, filled with dangerous holes and pitfalls.
”Careful here, boys!” cried Tom Dillon. ”We don't want none o' the hosses to break a leg.”
He was in the lead, and under his guidance they advanced slowly. At the top of a short rise of ground he came to a halt.
”Here is where part o' that landslide occurred,” he announced, pointing with his hand. ”I think myself it was somethin' of an earthquake, although the scientific sharps say not. But if it wasn't an earthquake it was mighty queer that it hit this spot and the other at the same time--both bein' miles apart.”
”Perhaps the shock of the falling rocks at one place shook the other,”
suggested Dave.
”Perhaps, lad. It's a mystery--an' I suppose it will remain a mystery.
We know some things about Nater, but there's others she keeps putty well hid.”
They went down on the other side of the rise, and then commenced to mount an even larger hill--the last but one, so the old miner told the boys. Far in the distance they could make out the railroad tracks, winding along through the mountains. The sun was setting, and the western sky was aflame with varied colors of most gorgeous hues.
”What a beautiful sunset!” murmured Dave.
Soon the gloom of evening commenced to settle about them. All had their eyes ahead, but so far they had seen no trace of the Blower party.
”Wait a minute!” cried Dave, presently. He had seen something white fluttering among the rocks on the side of the trail.
”What do you see?” asked Phil.
”A newspaper.”
”Oh, let it go, Dave. We have all the old newspapers we want.”