Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-02-19
he added, as we started to

joke him. ~
Slowly he knocked the ashes from his
pipe by striking it against thu edge of
the table, and then tilted his bax--that
cabin had never known chair--Sgainst
the wall. He had an unruly mustashe,
and he tugged at it as he said: ;.
"Monti."
"What of MONTH";" asked Jack.
81 am afraid he will do some mis-
chief before we leave here"
'Nonsense," insisted Jack. "He is
as reliable as any greaser."
az hardly like his looks" acknowl-
edged. "You remember l advised not
hiring him, at the first. 1 think we
should get rid of him."
"But am learning lot of Spanish
from him." exclaimed Jack "And we
three athletes need hardly fear one thin
greaser, who appears as weak as the pro-
verbal cat"
81 have heard you say Isl senor' once
or twice." twitted Hugh. 81 hardly
think you will gain hoard Of knowl-
edge from Monti, and l say with Cad,
get rid of him. You are likely never to
see Belle Hastings again if you don't; 1
run chance of never putting foot on
Broadway, and Cad the same. Shall we
give him his walking papers when he
appears tomorrow
"No, no." pleaded Jack, 81 rather
like him, too, for his Castilian airs. We
have weapons. Let us keep him. That
he is useful you cannot deny"
We finally gave up arguing with Jack,
and let the matter drop. Months SER
vices were not dispensed with the next
day. He continued to tutor Jack in
Spanish, carry our packs when we made
our little excursions thereubouts, and to
religiously collect his pay at eventidc
each day.
Thus did week slip by. On one of
our rambles during that time, we came
upon fssure in ravine's rocky side,
where we thought gold might be found.
1t lay about two miles east of the camp
in a little bit of timberland.
We had worked day or so in the
shafts sunk by the miners of the camp.
for the novelty of the experience, and
when we discovered this opening, one
of us suggested that we put blast in it
and see if we could lay bare any veins of
precious metal. The proposition was
received with favor, and we settled on q
day for the experiment.
On the morning of that day, we set
out for the promising spot, Monti carry
ing can of powder and other accessories
for the blast. Hugh and l took our guns
with us. We reached the spot in about
an hour and half. Then Montl dropped
his load at the edge of the fissure, and
we started to prepare the blast But our
drill was missing. 1t had either slipped
from Months load or been left behind.
"Monti," said Hugh disgustedly, "get
back to the cabin, as quick as your thin
shanks will carry you, and bring drill.
Look along the ground, too, as you go
you may find ours dropped by some
stone"
Isl, senor," the fellow returned.
"We will take a little run down the
ravine for game while you are gone
hey, Cad9" Hugh added.
.All right" exclaimed.
"And will try snooze here, mean
while, " said Jack.
He stretched himself lazily upon
messy knoll as he spoke, threw his coat
over the powder keg for pillow, and
pulled at his corncob contentedly. 1t
was pleasant spot for a nap. A stunted
little maple gave him shade; the stream
flowing through the rocks, ten feet dis
tant, sang melodious, sleepinducing
lullaby.
II should have bad dreams with such
a head-rest" said Hugh looking down at
Jacks blond locks and smiling face.
''And I, too, senor," added Monti.
"You won't forget to put that pipe
out?"
"Oh, no." laughed Jack.
We separated then. Monti hurried
off toward the cabin and Hugh and l
walked up the ravine.
eff we get anything out of that hole
in the wall, what do you say making it
into wedding present tor Belle Has
tings?" asked Hugh, as we went on.
GA first-class idea9" exclaimed.
"It may be gorgeous dinner set"
'Or glove buttoner."
EYES," laughed Hugh.
We went on little further, and our
way was finally barred by a steep ascent.
/ proposed that we return to Jack.
Hugh was willing and we retraced our
steps.
We said little. Each was on the alert
for game. A rabbit would make very
acceptable stew, but not a single cotton
tail crossed our path. Hugh tugged at
his refractory mustache spitefully in his
disappointment as he preceded me.
A walk of ten minutes brought us to
the bend in the ravine where Jack
awaited us. When we turned it we be-
held tableau l shall long remember
Jack lay sleeping quietly and over
him bent the pauther-like form of Monti.
The greaser's sallow face bore iendish
smile. He rested on one knee, and in
his right hand he held burning match.
Ha had mot heard orr apDroach and ba