The National tribune., 1882-01-21
THE TREASURE AT GRAN QUlVIRA.
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
Several days, whole week, went by, and Ger
aid Elkley, although improving steadily, wa.
still unable to bear his full weight upon the in
jured foot and so limped slowly with the aid O.
a tick-"hobbled around" Jose said. He had
found the Mexican not only a skillful attendant
as had been predicted, but very kind and at
tentive one; while Jose was quite won over by
the young mans invariable courtesy and consid
Grafton when speaking to him. The Mexicans
were unfairly dealt with, and harshly used al
through the Territory faring as well, perhaps, in
such remote and scanty settlements as Blue Creek
as anywhere; for at that place were no saloons
no quarreling rowdies, no political disputes; and
the Mexicans were there of great use Never
theless, Senorita Annie Tate was the only person
who had ever been consistently kind to 10 e,
until Gerald came; and his manner had so de-
lighted the Mexican, that he would doubtless
have risked his life for him readily-for men did
that with very slight incentive in New Mexico
Jose was sometimes very confidential in his
conversations, especially when speaking of the
dwellers at Blue Creek and at the close of one
beautiful day, when he had taken Gerald's arm,
and assisted him to a certain ledge, which, as it
commanded splendid panorama along the Creek,
was favorite spot with the young man, the
Mexican began: "Senor Elkley, don't you show
them rolls of greenbacks that saw to-day, to
nobody here"
well, I will not" returned Gerald, "if you
advise nae not to do so. But why do you say this
now?"
Because now is the right time" said jose
before you have done it. After that it is too
late"
"He is right there" muttered Gerald.
"Senor Sy Tate he very bad man." continued
Jose. "You remember how he ask you if Scotch
Andy know you had come on to Blue Creek
Well, if no one but the citizens had known of it,
1 think he kill you somehow that night-you
have such beautiful rife"
Good heavens!" exclaimed the other; she
would not surely murder me for the sake of a
gum"
"Senor Sy Tate has killed men for less than
that. You sabe, he white Indian once" Jose
dropped his voice here, and looked warily round
" He no dare live near Denver and around there
hear this from old Pablo the half Apache
who come here. But Senior Sy much afraid of
Senorita Annie, and she will take care no harm
Sy Tate! Old Juanna the witch tell me one of
us kill the other some day, and often think it
will be me kill him / have much good mind to-
But Senor EIkley, for all that, you no let him
see all your dollars You say you send to Santa
Fe for more money soon. Senor Sy Tate he go
mad to get all them greenbacks and accident
soon happen"
Gerald thanked the friendly Mexican, and re-
solved to take his counsel so long as he was COM
PEELED to remain at the Creek.
But what an awful set to be thrown amongst!n
he thought, as he returned to the house "The
girl and this Mexican are, to a certainty, truth
full and honest; but never in my life did see
such a scoundrelly gathering as are the re-
mainder. 1 hope 1 shall be able to travel SO as
to meet the others at the rendezvous"
On entering the house, he found that supper
as the six o'clock meal was called-was ready
that his special seat was duly placed for him,
rendered soft and even luxurious, by buffalo
robes and bearskins Sy Tate was at the low
whence he had given a sullen nod
of recognition, as he saw Elkley enter, while |
Annie was standing by the table within
Il saw that you moved around first rate, Mr. |
Elkley," she began; your foot seems better day |
by day"
Thanks to you and to Jose it is But must
give some credit to the healthful mountain air.
expect. This is indeed a lovely spot"
"Yes; so strangers tell u.s." returned the
maiden; "and they show how much they adj
mire it by hurrying away at the first opportu-
nifty. You also seem anxious to do the same"
~ have reason for wishing to leave soon" re-
piled Elkley; "but / shall never forget Blue
Creek, Or the kindness have met here. If 1 am |
spared Miss Annie, will infallibly come and |
see you again. g. z-.-..- .- .ss-r--. d. .--r.-
The girls color rose little at even this matter
'f-course speech for she was but little used to
5he conversation of handsome young men from
Town East. sa -r-- .-.--z,. u. -...-. ,...,.
II should be ungrateful indeed, if did not
10 so much" continued Gerald "and you must |
yive me list of all the choice articles especially
books and engravings, that shall bring up from
santa Fe"