Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-12-05

HffeRltHh'PkrN'H0>Vlh
them into full view OF commanding
mountain, and. extending his hand with
q commanding gesture. he said. "There
is the Buena Esperanza.
1t 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 peak that dominated all
the surrounding heights. Was it the
young mans fancy that gave q 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 chatting stream, he could see
dark opening in its side, which led to
the treasure buried within its 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 a tunnel draped by vines and sur
rounded by luxuriant greenery. while
the stream, now near its head. dashed in
white foam over the rocks just below.
This tunnel goes in a hundred and
ffty feet. and cuts the vein three hun
Gred feet below the surface" said Fer
arr
pointing to the water issuing from 1t
lit drains the mine to that depth, so we
can examine it. But first come up the
hill and look at the groupings. want
to know if you ever saw anything to
equal them"
Leaving their mules they climbed up
the steep, almost perpendicular, noun
tain side and soon found the quartz vein.
distinctly traceable Us 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 value and permanency of the mine.
at has been twice in bonanza" said
Fernandez, land millions have been
taken from it. am sure. Mr.. Derwent
that You never saw such mine offered
before for so little money"
Derwent was, indeed. quite sure OF
this Every indication proved the great
value of the property, but as his convic-
ton of its value increased. so also did his
conviction that there was something
unusual. and calculated to inspire dis
trust, in the fact that it should be offered
for so low price,
He said nothing of this to Fernandez,
however, until after they had thoroughly
examined the interior to the depth of the
tunnel. This was long. very labori-
Gus and a very disagreeable business,
but the result confirmed all that had been
said The lodes increased in size and
richness as depth was reached, and Der
went saw no reason to doubt Senior
Aranda's statement that in the lower
shaft (now filled with water) the vein was
eighteen feet wide and very rich in silver.
When they had struggled back to the
light of day along the apparently inter
minable tunnel and sat down in the sweet
outer air by the side of the stream. the
young man spoke with quiet deliberate
ness.
THE mine Is all that you have de-
scribed it. Senior Fernandez" he said.
"and apparently well worth the price
asked. But, to speak frankly, | do not
see how the owners can afford to sell at
this price. nor where your profits in the
| transaction are to come from"
Fernandez looked at him with smile.
II do not wonder that it strikes you in
this way" he said. II shall be glad to
explain. As for the owners, what can
they do but sell2 The mine is rich, but
they cannot work it; it has gone beyond
them. The water Is very strong, and
before the shaft can be carried deeper
pump must be put In. They have no
money for such an expense"
"There is ore enough In sight to pay
that and all other expenses for con-
siderable time to come"
ITO pay expenses, yes, but not to
make much profit when worked by the
patio process. There is the explanation.
Mr.. Derwent The Buena Esperanza
yielded a fortune in its docile ores. but
the ores are now refractory. and the
wealth that it still holds can be extracted
only by large outlay Of money. Capital
must take hold of it and work 1t on 9
great scale. The day is past for small
things"
THAT is true" said Derwent "This
is a mine which will yield immensely,
but it must. as you say. be worked on Q
great scale. Put the owners aside. then;
where is your profit in the natter?
II thought Morell had explained that,
answered Fernandez. 1--WE expect TO
make our profit from you. II you work