The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-28

vation. The ruins were reached, and the water
bearers were there already. Great was the as
tonishment of these latter, and of the six hired
assistants, to find the party push on for several
hours after their supposed goal was reached
AS mile after mile was traversed the astonish-
ment of the staff increased; and when about sun
down, the cortege came to halt in the shade OF
a mesa, or low fiat hill, and it was announced
that this was their destination, their surprise
broke out in muttered sarcasms.
The hustle of getting supper, lettering the
horses and the like, soon occupied the assistants
too much to admit of much discussion; and
while they were so engaged the principals saun-
tered, aimlessly enough to all appearance, to a
spot some third of mile from the camp, where
a ravine of no great length separated two mesas,
and in which they were completely screened
from observation. Their decision would of course
| become known to their assistants, but some OF
the latter were to quick-witted to be lntrusted
with all the information and details that led to a
| decision which might-most probably would
| have to be changed. One of the party produced
rough sketch-map with notes and landmarks,
round which the others crowded.
"This is the place, make no question" said
"a gulch :" for here are the two mesas, which are
now, however, quite separated. Yonder is the
hollow covered with bushes; and exactly in a
line with the northern points of the mesas, we
sight the peak of that distant mountain"
Right! Elkley," said one of the party. "Then
fifty PAGES from the mouth Of this ravine must
have been the boundary wall of the chapel. If
so, and we can decide exactly where it was, we
can easily fix on the centre, as we know the di-
mensions of the building, and so ought to be able
to find the treasure with little trouble"
Some more discussion, with further eXanlina-
ton of the maps, ended in unanimous assent to
these views: and there being still light enough
for the purpose, three members of the party sepa-
rately stepped the distance in the directions they
respectively thought most in accordance with
their instructions Although, speaking broadly.
they took the same course yet they diverged a
little; and the remainder, who had watched them,
gathered round to decide which was most likely
to be the correct point.
At last it was agreed that the centre of a small
square bounded by arroyos-or water courses
which are dry, save in times of fioods-must
have been the site of the chapel. Floods soon cut
for themselves channels in the soft soil
ofnew Mexico; but, as matter of course if they
find channels ready made, they will follow them;
and there was regularity in these arroyos, which
seemed to mark their origin as from the hand of
man, rather than from chance. They might have
been used for irrigation, especially if-as was as
serted-a stream had once existed in the vicinity
At anyrate, the decision was come to-a spade
full of earth thrown out to mark the spot and
A. T. IL
formation verified so far, returned to the camp,
where savory odor of fried buffalo meat and
hot coffee intimated that supper was prepared.
The men were equally glad to know that all was
well, and that digging would commence in ear
nest on the next day; for, in addition to their
liberal wages, each expected bonus in the event
of success; and master and man took glasses of
whisky together in celebration of so auspicieus
a beginning.
As all were experienced campers" their ar
rangements, even on this first night, were almost
complete. Tents were fixed, the wagons drawn
up as fence, watches arranged, and every pre-
caution taken to prevent surprise of the camp
by any of the dangerous hangers-on to frontier
society who abound in New Mexico These were
more to be feared than the Indians, who usually
The next day, operations were actively COM
several holes being made at the same
time. For any sign which appeared to the con-
trary, the earth there might have lain undis-
turbed from the day on which the sea, which |
must once have covered it, had rolled away on it's |
upheaval. But the party were not to be daunted. |
They intended to dig, and deeply too, in fifty |
places if necessary, until they had thoroughly ex-
plored the whole of the area in which it seemed |
possible the treasures might be- so although no
trace of the prize was obtained on this first day. |
they were in excellent spirits.
The wagon had left for fresh supply Of water
and one of the hired men having climbed to the
top Of the mesa-fOr work was closed for the day |
was watching the slow progress of the vehicle
as it grew more and more indistinct on the far
plain, when, turning his glance in
another direction, he uttered an exclamation of
surprise, if not of alarm, which at once drew the
attention of those beneath him.
"What is the matter, Bob?" cried one of them.
Matter" returned the man; "why here's a
mule wagon right close on us, and we never saw
it, and as Pm living sinner, it's full of women"
At this, every man sprang to his feet; for most
Of the party had been lolling on the dry grass,
azily waiting the call to supper, and looked
eagerly in the direction indicated by the look
out There, sure enough, was wagon, within
half mile of them, and clearly making straight
for their encampment. Sure enough too if not