Part 50 (1/2)

”Do you think the landslide is at an end?” asked Phil, anxiously.

”There is no tellin' about that, lad. We'll go up on the mountain, and to the safest place we can find, and then wait,” said Tom Dillon.

This was done, and an hour later, worn out completely, all sat down to rest and to partake of lunch. They could look far along the mountainside and see just where the avalanche of rocks and dirt had swept downward, a portion halting here and there, and the remainder going clear to the valley far below.

They had been resting about an hour when they saw a figure approaching on foot. It was a man, hatless, and with half his clothes torn from his back. As he came closer they recognized Larry Jaley.

”Jaley, where are you going?” demanded Tom Dillon.

At the sound of the miner's voice the man halted and then threw up his hands. Then he staggered forward once more.

”Save me!” he yelled, wildly. ”Save me! Don't shoot me! Save me from the landslide!” And then stumbling, he fell at the feet of Dave and his friends.

”Are you alone?” asked Abe Blower.

”Ye--yes! Save me! Oh, save me!” whined Jaley, and he turned a face full of fear on those before him.

”Where are Merwell and Haskers and Blugg?” asked Dave.

”All gone--swept away by the landslide!” was the whining reply. ”Oh, it was awful! It smashed them all up--and smashed up the horses, too! Oh, save me! Save me!” And then Larry Jaley gave a gasp and fell in a heap, unable to say another word.

CHAPTER x.x.x

THE NEW CLAIM--CONCLUSION

”Poor fellow, he is scared stiff!” said Dave, as he bent over the shrinking man.

”I reckon the landslide made him about loony--thet an' seein' them others carried off to death,” murmured Abe Blower.

”I wonder if they really were killed?” said Roger. ”If it's true, what an awful death to die!”

”Men before now have been killed by landslides,” said Tom Dillon. ”And just remember, we ain't out of it ourselves, yet,” he added, gravely.

Larry Jaley was cared for and given something to eat and to drink, and then he told his story. The landslide had come upon his whole crowd without warning and he had escaped by what was little short of a miracle. The sight had so weakened and sickened him that he had rushed away, not knowing in what direction, until he had come to our friends'

camp.

”Jest help me to git off o' this mountain an' I won't never follow ye ag'in,” he whined, to the miners and the boys. ”Jest help me to git away, thet's all!”

”You can take your chances with the rest of us, Jaley,” answered Tom Dillon, somewhat sternly. ”And you mind how you behave yourself, too!”

he added, by way of a warning.

By the following morning the scare was over, and the boys took Abe Blower and Tom Dillon into the upper entrance to the mine. Just a brief examination was made, but it was sufficient to prove to the old prospectors that the lads had really rediscovered the lost Landslide Mine. Then the old miners put up the proper stakes, as a new claim for Mrs. Morr.

In the meantime, Larry Jaley had been given some stores and told to go about his business. Abe Blower had directed him to a trail to the southward. This was a long way around, but the trail seemed to be perfectly safe, and Jaley was only too glad to take to it. It was the last the boys saw of the man.

”And now to get back to town and establish this claim,” said Roger, some time later. ”Won't my folks be pleased!” And his face showed his satisfaction.

”And then to get to Yellowstone Park for a good time!” returned Dave.