Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

nlighters, felt far more uncomfortable than did

ide, Ralph had plenty of time to review his own positio

a newspaper item was read but not understood, the news of his arrest while trying illegally to "shoot" a well, would cause as much consternation and sorrow as if he had attempted to shoot a man. It was fa

standing on a rudely-constructed table, in order that he might keep a watch upon Newcomb

ey're coming this way. If we keep perfectly quiet they will begin soon t

ssible, and each one in the hut remained motionless as statues, but, as was shown a moment

rom his post of observation; and then, fearing he might betray h

g to avert, for as he started to lower himself from the table, the entire structure gave

did not detract from the unfortunate moonlighter's discomfiture. Had Bob cried out his name he could not have proclaimed his presence any more plainly, and as he

a chance that they might get tired in time, and go awa

have come here to get ready to shoot the Hoxie

n't," said Jim, doubtingly; "but if m

plainly of his determination; although how it might be possible for him to do more than to get ready for the wo

ar you when you fell, there is no reason why you shou

here, does not know just as well as we do what there is inside here? If we remain quiet, he will say to himself that we are all ready for the shot,

onsolately. "Newcombe will stay right where he is until we go ou

home, and wait until we can give

ob, doggedly. "I agreed to shoot Hoxie's

uld get out a warrant," said George, thinking it was high time for him to interfere with advice. "They have neve

is place while they are guarding it, and without their seeing me. If any of you fellows are afraid,

ld go home if they were afraid. Much as Ralph would have liked to, he did not think of leaving, when to do so was to be considered pro

ting, as they showed in a short time, when Newcombe's voice could

u come out, and the best thing you can do is to give the job up for a whil

ous to put a speedy end to what had every appearance of being a long job. It was plain to be seen that he neither understood nor relished this singular behavior

ition, but he made no sign that he had even heard what had been said. He w

he outside, "and you know that I shall stay right here until you leave; so what's the use of act

ding with those over whom he could have no control until after their work was done, and Dick's face lightened wonde

nd Jim at once began to replace the broken table with some em

o seated themselves comfortably in one corner of the room, where they w

nwhile here we are prisoners, for we cannot ask to leave the hut until the others do. It promises to be a tedious thi

that I was foolish enough to make some such rema

by which he was enabled to climb to the loop-hole, and h

d himself that they would leave the place at once. "Newcombe's team is directly in front, and the oth

hing for us that could have ha

n they are all ready to follow us the moment

rely at his cartridges, and with as much precisio

hat you in

g while they were here; therefore, whatever my plan may be, it is better than giving the whole thing up.

be should have found their hiding-place, Bob was working industriously at the task on hand, and he be

wards the stable," said Jim; and then he added, excitedly: "I believe that rascal Pete is talking with

t but Bob's industry had a quieting effect upon him, and he conti

m are going through the motions of a conversation. Now Newcombe has

l the boys, even including Bob, awaited in anxiety the re

pitch-fork for the money. He is selling us to Newcombe

to co