The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-28
THE TREASURE AT GRAN QUIVIRA.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
On the following morning Gerald duly set out
in company with Jose, after settlement with
Tate, who had at first professed a contemptuous
indifference as to whether he received any money
or not; more than limiting that he was satisfied
to have got rid of his inmate on any terms
Gerald, however, was not to be goaded into a
quarrel; and he found, when the critical moment
came, that Tate was quite as rapacious as any OF
the more regular hosts it had been his lot to en-
counter, whether East OF West. After Nh. Tate
had received payment on liberal scale, he
bluntly asked Elkley to give him his rife-a re-
quest promptly refused. Mr.. Tate then offered
to buy it. This the young man also declined,
adding: "You would not do it yourself, Mr. Tate.
You would not travel through the Territory with
out rife, am sure"
"Me! Guess I would not. But l reckon
there's difference between man like me, and
a boy that scarcely knows what rife is"
Don't be too sure of that" said Elkley, allow
ing himself solitary retort. II hope you will
never-nor any Of your friends-presume too
much on nay ignorance in that way"
The entrance of Jose to announce that the
wagon was ready, stopped what might have been
an angry rejonder; and the parting moment
having arrived, Gerald asked for Miss Annie
To his surprise he learned she had just ridden off
to ranch some five miles distant and was not
expected home for several hours. Gerald was
greatly vexed at this as he was compelled to
leave without saying farewell " to the girl, and
without assuring her once more how deeply he
felt all the kindness, and courage too, she had
shown in his behalf
The wagon started, Jose driving at decidedly
quicker rate than was customary on that difficult
road He was certainly an excellent Jehu; but
Gerald gave him hint that there was need
of such hurry.
al don't seem like feeling sure about that
said the Mexican. "Guess the sooner we are out
of the canon, the better for everybody" So he
kept up his speed, and they reached the open
country without adventure.
Gerald decided upon remaining at Three Waters
City-a collection of about forty houses-until
the mail came through on the next day, when he
would travel by it to Santa Fe He did not for
get Sy Tate's advice. At Santa Fe, he would
meet his friends; and before his arrival there he
hoped his foot would be nearly as strong as ever
Jose was dealt with as literally as Tate had been
!
indeed threw out some distinct intimations of
his willingness to take service with the young
man; but the latter, although he would have
been pleased to secure so trustworthy follower
thought of Annie Tate, and Of the undoubted
protection she must find in the Mexicans pres
ence; so he did not encourage the idea.
He reached Santa Fe in safety, and found his
friends already there, with the preparations for
their excursion already well advanced. They had
provided saddle-hOrses for themselves and their
six assistants. Wemay not say servants as three
of them were United States citizens, who reject
the appellation; the others were Mexicans. In
addition to these two men had already started
with wagon fitted for the carriage of water
casks. These dUant. cOurierS were to meet them
with their load at Gran Quivira and afterwards
to keep travelling between the Gallinas Spring
and the ruins, or such other spot as should be
chosen for their operations These springs were
about twenty mile from Gran Quivira itself
They had also provided several wagons laden
with blankets buffalo robes, provisions, mining
tools, and the like; and it need scarcely be said
that every man was fully armed with rifle and
revolver.
great sensation was created in the city by
the expedition A few OF the more adventurous
spirits offered to join them the condition that
their expenses were paid; but the majority rdi-
culed the idea. Not that they doubted the exist
ence of the treasure-nobody doubted that but
they doubted the possibility of discovering it.
Several of the residents had before joined in
parties for the same purpose, and they were
unanimous in opining that the absence of all
signs and landmarks, with the extent and vague
ness of the ruins, made the attempt hopeless.
They and others had dug in every possible foot
of ground in the ruins proper, unavailingly.
No one knew how far the monastic gardens or
fields might have extended, and therefore they
saw no great hope of favorable result.
In spite of all these sinister forebodings, the
party started, Gerald now riding one of the horses