Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-15


less striking in aspect, and Derwent had
humorous sense of his own common
place appearance in a tweed suit a1d
soft felt hat.
Presently rare and welcome sound
fame TO their ears-the sound of falling
water. From gorge that opened upon
the barranca small stream issued. and
crossing their path fell in succession
of leaping cascades to the depths below
A road turned off into the gorge. aed
this they followed II was hardly more
than 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. lnxuriant verdure
follows. and the raylne was full of a
greenness absolutely enchanting after
the arid desolation of the scenes oyer
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 be was descanting on the great adj
vantages that water so near at hand af-
4 lOIQtu lOI Tic tCQ0llHS VI ti1C OAt40s q
sudden turn of the winding way brought
them into full view of a commanding
mountain. and. extending his hand with
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 heal of the
gorge and closing it like gate. the vast
slopes. surrounded by deep canyons rose
upward into peak that dominated all
the surrounding heights Was II the
young mans fancy that gave Il peculiar
air Of mystery 10 this towering crest. up
lifted in regal calm against the. deep blue
SKYE Already. as they climbed upward
beside the chatting stream. he could see a
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
ram So Derwent said to himself. smil-
ing little at his own faneies. as they
dismounted before the arched entrance
of 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
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,
sit drains the mine to that depth. so we
can examine it. But first come up the
hin and look at the groupings. want
to know If you ever saw anything TO
equal them.
Leaving their mnles they climbed up
the steep, almost perpendicular. noun
tain side and soon found the quartz vein.
distinctly traceable rs light seam. run
ming across the slope For surface
showing its dimensions were immense
Derwent followed it for at least 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.
1T 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 a 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 filed 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
1.-THE mine is all that you have de-
scribed it. Senior Fernandez. he said.
land 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
Il do not wonder that it strikes you in
this way" he said Il shall be glad to
explain. AS for the owners. what can
they do but sell? 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 a
pump must be put in. They have no
money for such an expense.
~s~~l.& II