The National tribune., 1882-01-21

Sy late, VINO Just then entered the room.
eyes; have to meet some friends there
shortly" returned Elkley. "They will let me
know when they arrive at Kansas City; they
intend to hunt across the plains from thence to
Santa Fe"
Then I expect it's for you that a team has
stopped below" said Tate. II saw man come
this way with packet; and here he is"
AS he finished, man clad from head to foot
in buckskin, with revolver on one hip and a
sheath-knife on the other, after the manner Of
New Mexicans, presented himself at the door,
and stepped within, with the free-and-eas man
ner of his countrymen. "Say!" he began; II
guess this is Sy Tate's; and from what I have
heered tell you are Sy Tate. And you stranger
are Squire Elkley."
THAT'S my name, certainly" returned the
young man.
"Then I have brought on this parcel for you
from the mail station" continued the teamster.
at was to have been given to Andy Macgregor;
but he had just taken a contract for freight to
Denver, so he gave it to me-"
MANY thanks" said Elkley, taking the offered
packet "Will you tell me how much the charge
isl
"It is paid for" interrupted the teamster.
ANDY took a satchel up to the Ratons for my
missis, so that's balanced"
"But should like to pay you for your trou-
BILE" began Elkley; when the teamster cut him
short: Keep your money, Squire, for them that
wants it. I'm an American citizen and West
ern man, that don't need no favors of you nor
nobody. No offence, Squire. When l do work
for you, you shall pay me for it; but this item [
did for Scotch Andy, who has paid me-. I amt
going to take your dollars as if was loafer
who wanted aims No. sir-ree.-Good- evening""
and with that the independent teamster disap-
peared.
"It is as l expected" said Gerald, addressing
Annie, after glancing through his letters. My
friends are now on their road to Santa Fe; and
must contrive to leave here in day or two.
cannot walk through the canon-that is evident.
Do you think you could spare Jose and the
wagon to take me as far as Three Waters City -?
I could buy horse on reaching there"
"Do you reckon on riding alone from Three
Water to Sanity Fee?" asked Tate, speaking in
answer to the question, which had been directed
to the girl.
"Yes," replied Gerald. II have good map,
and find the stations lie pretty close to each
other"
"You will be robbed and murdered before you
have travelled half your Journey" continued |
Tate. II know the road and know the people |
who are on it, You must ride by the mail, if |
you want to ride with sound skin. Maybe you |
won't be over-safe, even then"
"I am sorry to hear you say so," returned |
Gerald, "as had not believed that part of the |
road to be dangerous. We expected to find
lookout necessary after leaving Santa Fe. But |
we shall be strong party"
Where air you going after you quit Sanity
Fee?" asked Sy. "Do you mean to strike for
Arizona, or Old Mexico or air you going through
he Indian Territory?"
"None of these" said Elkley. eve are going
20 explore Gran Quivira we have valuable in
y
The sudden start of his three companions
Jose sat at the table with them-startled him in
urn, and he looked from one to the other in
,erplexity.
"Gran Quivira!" exclaimed Tate in tones even
It Gran Quivira?"
"What others have done, l suppose" replied
Gerald, who had recovered himself: "scout for
he buried treasure; but with different result
Ne shall find it."
"You air like most of the others have been,"
aid Tate, with a sneer he did not attempt to
onceal Every certain you know all about it
efore you go; and like them, you will Grail
ome disappointed; if you don't lay your bones
here as many better men than you have DONE"
"Mr Elkley!" exclaimed Annie, "you surely
o not propose to seek for the buried treasures at
iran Quivira? Do you not know that many
arties have set out to find them? None of them
ave had the least success; and many have been
ntirely cut off by Indian or Mexican skirmish-
rs l trust you will not CO." I
"Gran Quivira's very dangerous place-theres
O two ways about that" said Jose. "I have I
cen there, and know every foot of ruin Every
here prospectors have dug, but never find gold;
nd no one know where to dig now. You might {
ig in one place just same as another" |
"Jose is right, so far as he goes" resumed Tate
But there is another thing. The people in this 6
erritory don't like strangers from the East ram 8
aging and cavorting around to get their gold and
lver fixins, and they are likely to show what g
ley think" /
"That is So" added Jose. "There are others to 1
E afraid of, Senor Elkley, besides Injuns and S
[exicans. Don't you 60, Senior" /
"At any rate" returned Gerald with laugh,
the treasures are as much mine as they are the q
Of arU citizen now 1ivipn in, No1r Nav q