oyees, he immediately called a few cut-throats together and
laid his plans accordingly.

"After the discovery of his perfidy in copying the claim papers and then
trying to jump the staked claim, he had been discharged from the office
in Oak Creek and, thereafter, no one respectable would employ him. So he
hung about the saloon and spent his time in gambling with the miners from
Up-Crest, back of Oak Creek station. He found willing confederates in
this group of Slavs who hailed the invitation to steal enough gold to
enable them to go back to Europe and pose as rich men.

"The whole plot had been kept unusually secret for that species of
foreigner, so no one at Oak Creek knew of the proposed raid. But Mike
rode into Oak Creek the morning before the night these rascals planned to
act, and with his unusual gift of intuition, he felt that something was
working quietly in the minds of the evil-looking men he found whispering
over a small table in one corner of the saloon.

"Mike hung around for several hours to try and learn if any plot was
hatching against Rainbow Cliffs while the owners were absent; or perhaps
these men planned a rush on the mine while he and but few men were on
guard. But nothing could be discovered. Feeling assured because of the
sly and malicious expressions of the men at the table when they glanced
at Mike, as he sat in another corner and pretended to doze, that Hank had
some move under way to trouble him and his assistants, made the Indian
use splendid judgment and action that day.

"He borrowed the Sheriff's thoroughbred bloodhound, and asked for a few
extra men to accompany him to the cave and stay there until the owners
returned, promising them better wages than they could earn at any work in
Oak Creek, or on the ranches nearby. To allay suspicion he rode out of
town, alone, but he had agreed to wait at Pine Tree Blaze for the extra
men.

"The men rode away from town each at a different time, to avoid talk or
notice by the loungers at the saloon, and all met at the rendezvous that
afternoon. Mike then led the way up the steep trail, and by dark they
were in camp.

"This was the second day after we left Pebbly Pit. Mike had warned Jeb of
his suspicions, too, and that wary little man had instantly taken steps
to protect the Cliffs, by ordering all hands working there to keep away
from Oak Creek until the Boss got home. He said that unusual care must be
used for a time, to watch during the nights