Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-10-19

came gradually absorbed in the conversa-
ton OF group CT MeSicans at his elbow.
several of whom were of the party about
to land. They spoke the corrupted Span
ish of their country; but the listener un-
derstood it well enough 10 comprehend the
most of what was said.
One of their number was describing u
scene which occurred upon his landing at
this same port some two years prcvlous.-
The ship, bound for San Francisco. met
with all accident, and put into Acapulco
for repairs. The passengers. knowing that
the steamer would not sail under twenty
four hours. the most of them broke the
monotony Of delay by going on shore. A
number OF rough New Workers. going out
to the mines, got into quarrel with SOME
Uf the natives. during which knives, pis-
tolls. etc. were freely used. A gentleman
named Don Miguel, the owner of Il large
and valuable hacienda which lay about
thirty miles from Acapulco. and who had
just landed from the steamer. attempted.
imprudontly, to interfere. nat wishing his
countrymcn to be so touchy with their WIS.,
ltors, and was rewarded for his good inten
tiOns by receiving severe stab i'll the sid.
from some one of the combutants. He bled
profusely. aud would soon have became
exhausted, had his wound not been ilnnle-
datcly and well dressed by young Amer
lean, one of the New York passengers,
who had landed to see the sights. and was
standing idly to one side, yicwim. the me-
lee, at the time Don Miguel was injured.
The Don, exceedingly grateful for the
timely attention, conceived ii warm liking
g., Al
ness and readiness had already attracted
his attention while OH board the steamer.
Having given such proof of his fitness for
the place as he had done by dressing the
Don's wound, that gentleman, in the course
of two or three hours in which tho young
stranger remained in attendance upon him
offered him the situation of physician upon
his immense estates, with the plain prom
ise that he should receive benefits much
more important than his salary. This Of
fer, after u short hesitation, was accepted
by the doctor. who stated that he was out
in search of his fortune, and it made no
difference to him where he found it, whcth
cr in Mexico Or California. only that he
should he assured of doing well. This Don
Miguel in his sudden friendship, was
prompt to promise. The Don, besides
vast grazing flrnIs, had extensive interests
in the silver mines. which hordered upon
| nis hacienda. Doctor Settler was deeply
| interested in All account Of these, and re-
turned to the ship for his baggage, bidding
his fellow passengers good-by, III cxcelrnt
spirits. ..lnd we'll lie might consider him
self Fortunate went on the narrator. FOR
| there arc none of us who do not feel hon
ored by the friendship of Don Miguel, who
is rs honorable us he is wealthy. For my
part, do not understand how lie came to
place such confidence in the Yankee doc
tor, W ho had to me the air of all adventur-
cr; but he tork him to his home, made
him member of Ills family. and before |
left Acapulco, | heard that Don Miguel
had given him for WIFE his only daughter
Inez. beautiful girl. who could havo had
her choice OF the proudcst young bloods in
this rpgnil.'
1t may be imagined with what interest
Mr.. Burton listened to the story thus un-
consciously revealed y the chatty Mexi-
can. Hc ut once as by prcsciencc, saw
his man III this fortunate Dr. Settler, who
had registered his name Mr., not Dr., on
the pas.cngcr-list, and which name was
among those whom tac dotrctye had Sc
lected as suspicious.
| interrupted my friend. narrative here
70 explain the matter of the bank notes
which he had exchanged for specie with a
passenger, but found that Mr. Burton al
ready knew all about them.
Edging gradually into the conversation,
Mr.. burton. with hi; tact and experience,
was not long III drawing from the group u
description of the personal appearance OF
Dr. settler, along with all the facts and
conjccturcs relating to his history since his
connection with Don Miguel. Every thing
he heard made ''assurancc doublv sure,
aud there was no time to be lost in decid-
ing upon the course to pursue under this
unexpected doubling of the chase. 10
ct oil at Acapul . was II matter of course,
hut what to do with the remainder of hi,
party he could not at first determine. Ht
knew that would he eager to accompany
him; vet he feared that, in some way
should We all land and take rooms at any
of tho hotels, the willy Doctor Settler
doubtless always on the alert, might per
safety by flight. To go alonc, under an
assunlI pane. in the character of a scion
, tiie explorer of mines, seemed to him tho
| SurtSt ana most uiScr:ct uietHou VI He1IlIls
the game; and to this resolve he had com,
before he sougkt us out to announce hi
sudden intention of stopping at Acapulco
while leaving us to pursue our rpya.s
without him.
CHAPTER VI,
All LAST-.-hT LAST,
As our ship steered away ont into thu
open sea, Mr.. Burton walked up into thu
ruinous old Spanish town, and slapped Il
te hotel. in whose breezy corridor h,
found several of his travelling companions
who had proceeded him. These Fdrsop
had beer somewbat SURPRISED at his eescr
ton Of the rest Of the PARTY for a visit t,
thcig dccaye1 city but when he explained
tc them lis desire Of visiting some of tEci
dcscrtrd mines, and examining the charac
ter of the Mountainous region. IL lit!
back, before proceeding t" similar invcsti
gaticgs iu California, their wonder CAV
place to the habtual Incidence ct temper
a!nents hardly active enough even for GU
riositv. There were two or three persons
from the United States stopping at the ho
tel, who quickly made His acquaintance
eager tor news direct from home, and Will
he converscd with these the four o'clocl
dinner was announced. He slipped hi
chocolate leisu"cly, after the desert, chatt
ing at ease with his new friends; and up