Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-10
'G5ea A:CAST !
 k Q FOR, :: E:={ FORTUNE BY CHRISTIAN REID.
BY.cHRlSTlRA' REID.

D1 'C1RIS lHH NElD'
 coPVRoAT eV AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. IssL
 Presently rare and welcome sOunu came to their ears-the sound of falling water. From gorge that opened upon the barranca a small stream issued, and crossing their path fell in succession of leaping cascades to the depths below. A road turned off into the gorge, and this they followed. P was hardly more than a trail along the bank of the stream, ever mounting higher in the midst of scenery that grew more wildly pictur esque with every step. Wherever there is water in Mexico, luXuriant verdure follows; and the ravine was full of a greenneSs absolutely enchanting after the arid desolation of the scenes over which they had passed.
 Turning to Derwent, Fernandez said that the stream would lead them imme- | diately to the mouth of the mine, and, while he was descanting on the great ad- vantages that water so near at hand af- forded for the reducing of the ores, a sudden turn of the winding way brought | them into full view of a commanding mountain, and, extending his hand with a commanding gesture, he said, "There is the Buena Esperanza."
 It made an impressive picture, and one that Derwent was never likely to forget. Standing at the head of the | gorge and closing it like a gate, the vast | slopes, surrounded by deep canyons, rose upward into a peak that dominated all | the surrounding heights Was it the l young mans fancy that gave a peculiar air of mystery to this towering crest, up | lifted in regal calm against the deep blue | sky? Already, as they climbed upward | beside the chafing stream, he could see | dark opening in its side, which led to | the treasure buried within it's heart in | distant ages by the wonderful forces of | nature. What fairy tale of mans imagi nation can equal the reality of this sober fact? The chamber of Aladdin was poor | compared to the wealth that might be held in the lodes to which that passage ran. So Derwent said to himself, smil- ing little at his own fancies, as they dismOunted before the arched entrance of tunnel draped by vines and sur rounded by luXuriant greenery, while the stream, now near it's head, dashed in white foam over the rocks just below.
 This tunnel goes in a hundred and fifty feet, and cuts the vein three hun. dred feet below the surface" said Fer nandez. "Of course, as you perceive" ," pointing to the water issuing from it, it drains the mine to that depth, so we can examine it. But first come up the hill and look at the croppings. l want to know if you ever saw anything tC equal them.
 Leaving their mules they climbed up the steep, almost perpendicular, noun tain side and soon found the quartz vein, distinctly traceable as light seam, run ming across the slope. For surface showing its dimensions were immense. Derwent followed it for at least a mile and found its width never less than twelve feet and often more. Various shafts had been sunk, and the rich ore piled around the mouth of each proved the valne and permanency of the mine.
 ''It has been twice in bonanza," said Fernandez, ''and millions have been taken from it. I am sure, MT Derwent that you never saw such mine offered before for so little money"
 Derwent was indeed, quite sure o1 this. Every indication proved the great value of the property, but as his convic ton of its value increased, so also did hit conviction that there was something unusual. and calculated to inspire dis trust, in the fact that it should be offered for SD low a price.
 He said nothing of this to Fernandez however, until after they had thoroughly examined the interior to the depth of tn, tunnel. This was a long, very labori ous and a very disagreeable business
 but the result confirmed all that had beer
 said. The lOdeS increased in size ant richness as depth was reached, and Der
 went saw no reason to doubt SenO
 Aranda's statement that in the lowe shaft (now filled with water) the vein wa e eighteen feet wide and very richin silver T When they had struggled back to tn light of day along the apparently inter s minable tunnel and sat down in the swee s outer air by the side of the stream, tn T young man spoke with quiet deliberate ' ness.
 "The mine is all that you have de
 scribed it, Senor Fernandez" he said
 land apparently well worth the pric
 asked. But, to speak frankly, do no
 see how the owners can afford to sell a
 this price, nor where your profits in tn d transaction are to come from"
 Fernandez looked at him with d smile l y
 this way" he said. 1T shall be glad t
 explain. As for the owners, what ca
 they do but sell? The mine is rich, bu they cannot work it; it has gone beyon I them. The water is very strong, an before the shaft can be carried deeper
 pump must be put in. They have I = money for such an expense"
 "There is ore enough in sight to pa Al
 siderable time to come"
 r "To pay expenses, yes, but not
 make much profit when worked by til " patio process. There is the explanation
 MT. Derwent. The Buena Esperanz .. yielded fortune in its docile ores, bl the ores are now refractory, and u = wealth that it still holds can be extracte
 only bya large outlay of money. Capit
 A.1z lzl ars sA I IL 4