The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-07-16


his conferree, and similarly armed.
"What is 1t, Pedro =" he said, in
gruff voice.
The man addressed as Pedro at once
began to talk in low, excited tones, ges-
tlculatlng earnestly the while. The
eavesdroppers could not make out what
he was saying, but they observed that
his words awakened the interest of the
newcomer, who finally interrupted him
with an oath.
"You are mad, Pedro! Two men you
say = looking for gold among these
ledges--buried goldl Did you see them,
Pedro 7"
" Don't tell you that L saw them,
and overheard their conversation 20 re-
turned the other, now speaking quite
audibly.
"What did they look like 2"
"They are mere boys, fresh from the
city, as their dress shows, and precious
green. They were consulting a sort of
map, which rather puzzled them. L
heard enough to learn that the gold is
concealed in cave, at distance of
seventy-two yards from the sea-shore.-
Now, eI capitaine, isn't our cave about
that distance from the shore p'
Cdyran,6a! you are right. 1t can
be no other. Pedro, this is stroke of
good luck. Did the strangers see you ?"
" No; I'm going back now to spy on
their movements further"
" Never mind-no need of that. Come
up to the den with me, and we'll look
for the gold at once. 1t must be there,
and 1t may be a fortune. Plenty of time
to look for the young devils afterwards,
and strip them of their plumage.-
Come !"
And the two rascals disappeared up
the giant stairway.
Jack and Harry rose to their feet and
stared at each other with variety of
expressions on their faces.
"Well, we've found the cave" smiled
Jack, with comical look.
EYES," growled Harry, with dubi-
GUS air; "and 1t is occupied by band
of robbers"
I" / guess you are right" said Jack.
"And that isn't the worst" contin-
ued Harry. "They will have the gold
in their possession before night, and we
will have to streak 1t back home to save
our heads"
" Not so bad as that, 1 hope"
"As bad or worse. They spoke as if
they intended to hunt us down to muir
der or rob u.s.
Yes; but robbing US is one thing,
and catching US another"
Il don't see how you can be so cool
over it, Jack. Remember what we have
lost. Old Wolfe will never let us look
at his daughters again"
81 forget nothing" returned Jack,
quietly; but there is really no use in
getting excited, you know. Cheer up,
Harry. Our case may not be as hope
less as 1t looks. We are both Of the
opinion that this cave is the abode of q
band of robbers-that the two chaps we
saw are members thereof = that they
will find the gold we are searching for.
With all that, think there is still
possibility of gaining our object. We
were fools for permitting that scoundrel
to overhear our conversation, but it
can't be helped now. Harry, by the
Lord, we must get possession of that
gold If we hang around here ten years to
do it,
" Here's my hand on that, Jack"
"Good Now, let us get away from
here. Those prying robbers may see US.
Wen go to the boat, eat our dinner, and
hold consultation"
He led the way, and half hour later
they were seated on the deck of their
little vessel, endeavoring to hit upon
some feasible plan by which to over
come this new obstacle. They conclud-
ed that nothing decisive could be done
at present, but agreed to make recon-
noissance that night, with a view to
finding out whether the outlaws had
succeeded in bringing to light the hid
den treasure.
They remained very near the boat
until nightfall; then they set out boldly
on their adventurous errand. They
soon arrived at the spot where they had
witnessed the interview between the two
robbers. Here they paused to perfect
their plans.
" Harry" whispered Jack, you stop
here while go up these steps and see if
/ can get peep into the cave. Keep