True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-12


ever, was it's resemblance to an ordinary
mountain spring, that this was, no doubt,
the main cause of the locality of the old
adit having fallen into oblivion since no.
body, of course, dreamed of looking for it
in the vicinity of fountain. 1t was clear
to the young miner that he had made dis
covery of vast importance to the company.
With this thought in his mind, and eager
to inform his friends of his wonderful es-
cape, he sat out at once up the mountain.
He was fated however, not to reach the
galera without encountering yet another
very remarkable adventure. But before
describing this, it will be necessary to re-
late briefly the events that had occurred at
the shaft during the time he had spent in
the mine. Don Jayne, after laboring for
nearly an hour in his useless search, and
being excessively puzzled by the disappear
ance of the body, which he could in no
plausible way account for, had left the task
for further examination to the miners, and
ascended the shaft in great perplexity.
Presently new cause of distress and anx-
ety came to disturb him. The news Of
the dreadful accident, as it was considered,
had spread to the village of San Adrian,
and reached at last poor Margarira. Hur-
rying in phrenzy of agonized excitement
up the mountain, she suddenly presented
herself before the conductor, as he walked
up and down the galera, with his hands
behind him, in the true English style of
moody meditation.
"Where is my husband-my Manuel ?"
she exclaimed, in q peremptory tone. 81
know he is here with you. 1t is all joke
to frighten me. What have l done that
you should wish to torment me in this way!
-foH mo. senor, for charity where -is--my
husband :"
"Would to God that it were a joke, my
dear young woman" replied the director.
"It is unhuppily too true"
Margarita, notwithstanding the agitation
of her mind, saw that he spoke in earnest.
Her thoughts Immediately took another
direction.
dead dead !" she exclaimed "and
how did he die! Who has killed him IT
never was his own fault. No, my Manuel
was NOT drunkard. My Manual was not
reckless. If he died, it was not byEhis
own hand. Show me the murderer, that
may call for vengeance on him."
"My poor child" replied the director,
"there is no murderer. There was careless
ness, but no crime"
"Never tell me that, Don Jayne" re-
piled the excited woman, all her Creole
blood flushing in her cheek and sparkling in
reyes. "My Manual was no sot, no mad
man, to throw away his life like Pedro Bra
vo. If he is dead ! accuse Miguel Gomez
of his murder. There stands theVillain-
look in his face and judge. 1t was only a
year ago, little while before Manuel and
l were married, that he offered the cargador
Pedrasa the post of captain of the gallery
if he would come behind Manuel and push
him off the Rinconada. Answer me, Juan
Padrazu, before the great God who sees and
hears us. is it not truel"
Juan Pedraza, miserable e-looking man,
with face huggard from the effects of ha-
bitual intoxication, hung down his head,
and made no reply. A gloomy silence en-
sued, which was at length broken BY Don
Jayne, who said
"Gomez, this affair begins to look seri-
Gus for you. am not your Judge, but it is
my duty to see that the matter undergoes
strict investigation. Perez, andyou, Fran
cisco, / give the accused into your charge.
See that he does not escape, and bring him
before the alcaldc tomorrow morning,
when all now present will attend the ex-
animation"
The nervous anxiety which had been de-
picted on the countenance of the overseer
ever since the explosion, now suddenly
gave way to an expression of ferocious de-
termination. s.a-
"Stand off," he exclaimed, drawing his
knife; "back, for your lives |! / am inno-
cent Of Manuel's death but L will not stay
to have my life sworn away by hereto
Jews, spjtefa women, and drunken villains.
Out of the way, Perez Follow me at
your peril"
With these words he darted out of the
galera, and fled down the mountain at a
pace which defed pursuit.
Atthis moment Manuel, whose strength
had been nearly exhausted by his labors
in the mine, was painfully ascending the
difficult path. He had nearly reached the
Riuconado, and had paused for an instant
to take breath, when a man suddenly
turnedthe ornerbeiore him with full speed
it was Miguel Gomez. He held in one
hand a drawn knife, ndlooked backward
over his shoulder, as il expecting 10 b