Westward the Tide (1950) Read Free Page A

barrel and rapped on the head of it with a hammer. Voices died away and heads turned toward him. Somewhere in the room a man cleared his throat. Coyle glanced around, drawing all attention to him, and then he began to speak. He spoke quickly and well in a deep, strong voice that assured you the man knew full well the method of the public meeting.
    "You all understand that you have been carefully selected and called here for a meeting whose purpose is not to be discussed beyond these walls. We expect our secret to get out eventually, but by that time we hope to be well on our way, and hence to arrive far in advance of those who attempt to follow.
    "However, for reasons of secrecy we five who have called this group together do not intend to divulge our exact destination. We will only say that we are going west and that we expect to be at least a month on the trail, but all are advised to bring supplies and plan for at least two months.
    "There is gold, and plenty of it, at the end of this trail. We have samples of that gold to show you. We are not calling you here to do you any favours, but because we know the danger of the country into which we go and that only a large party of competent men can hope to survive there. Your safety is our safety, and vice versa.
    "If, after hearing our plans you do not care to join us, you may withdraw, and we only ask that you say nothing of our purpose until we are on the trail. Samples of the gold dust, some nuggets, and a few specimens of the ore have been brought here. We had an assay made of the ore and it runs to three thousand dollars to the ton!"
    There was a low murmur ran through the crowd, and Matt frowned thoughtfully. That was very rich ore. Some richer had been found in California, but in very limited quantity. The listeners shifted their feet and leaned forward, very interested now.
    "We think so much of this project that Herman Reutz is selling his store and I am closing out my business here. We intend to proceed to the site of the discovery, scatter out and stake the best claims, then build a town. In that town we will have a store, and each of you will be a stockholder in that store. We intend to sell shares here tonight, and while no man may hold over ten shares, each man must hold at least one."
    Elam Brooks arose from his barrel. "What else does a man need to get in on this deal."
    "There must be at least one wagon to every three men. However, we hope each of you will bring a wagon. We advocate stocking your wagons with goods the store can handle or that can be used in trade with the Indians. Each man must have a saddle horse and rifle, and the stock must all be sound and in good shape. Food and ammunition, of course."
    Coyle hesitated then, waiting for questions. When none were forthcoming he turned his head and waved a hand toward Colonel Pearson. "The Colonel here, Colonel Orvis Pearson, is a military man accustomed to command and the handling of large bodies of men. He will be in command of the entire wagon train and all personnel. After we reach the rendezvous, captains will be elected for each of the four companies into which we will divide ourselves.
    "Where we are going there is good grass and plenty of water. There is timber for building, and plenty of game as well. As we will be well organized and led, there will be little to fear from the Indians. The original discoverer of this gold will be one guide, and Portugee Phillips, of whom you all know, will be the other."
    Listening, Matt Bardoul could see what an attractive setup it was. Certainly, nobody knew the Big Horns better than Phillips, and few knew them as well. The talk Coyle had made was emphatic and to the point, and offered much to be preferred to the usual haphazard organization of wagon trains which were more often than not badly planned and poorly led.
    A big, rawboned man got to his feet. "Name of Stark," he said clearly, thumbs hooked in his suspenders, "Aaron Stark, from Tennessee. What about the