Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-15


below the peak without incident and the
wagon was pulled well out Of sight Of
any one passing up and down the valley,
and the camp was pitched with view
to defense. They were men who knew
the perils Of the Indian country and were
both brave and cautious. On the morn
ing altar their arrival Bob and Taylor
set off up the canyon on an exploring
expedition, and within an hour they had
discovered the cave. Indeed, Taylor
scarcely hesitated in walking directly to
the ledge and pulling himself up.
The opening to tho cave was large
enough to admit the body of an OK. To
the left of it rested large stone which
had been cut to fit the opening, but
which had never been placed in position.
Saunders had said to the right of
'latcrs peak. He had been mistaken.
lera was the cave to the left.
the men hesitated to enter tho OPEN
w. although provided with torches to
lispol something of the inky darkness.
In spite of their wicked hearts, a feeling
of awe and reverence held them spell
bound for time. BY and by Bob shook
it of sufficiently to say:
This is the place. Thar can't be no
doubt of it, for it's the location we both
got from different men. I'm now avon
derng what's inside"
Taylor thought this q fitting oppor-
tdnity to decide matter which had
worried him not little, and he said;
"In case the gold is here do we five
share and share alilie?'
"Sartinly," was Bob's prompt reply.
"You go first and let's see if we hev
cum on a wild goose chase"
Taylor knocked his torch against the
rocks to make it burn up more brightly.
and holding it ahead Of him passed into
the opening, slowly followed by Bob.
They found themselves in a rock lined
room about twelve by sixteen feet in
width and length, while the incline was
from six to eight feet in height. Nature
had made the cave, but man had en-
larged and improved it,
For moment the men looked about
them in wonder, and fearful that a griz-
2lv or puma might be there to receive
them. The place was untcnanted, and
Taylor moved to the right, thrust his
torch into the darkness and hoarsely ex-
claimed:
"We've hit it--we've hit it! Here is
the gold"'
Yes, the gold was there. and silver as
well. 1t was in crude humps and pigs,
each a heavy weight for a man. And
there We're crosses and spearheads and
anlllets and bracelets, all rudely fash
Il. u, !,
did not trust himself to say word until
he had lifted half dozen of the pigs
and cut away at some of the smaller ar
ticles with his knife. Then he said;
"Thars no room fur doubt. It's
treasurer
And it is share and share alike, re-
member" cautioned Taylor.
"Of-of course" stammered Bob.
Avarice, doubt, selhshness, thoughts
of murder We're creeping in before the
discovery was ten minutes old.
1.-The fool-to expect lis to divide with
him. growled Bob to himself.
Let EN- lookout. may take air.
Missed Taylor as he held up a lump of
gold.
Who had placed that treasure there?
Men Of the race who peopled the west
before Columbus landed! The ores had
been reduced and metal turned out in
crude form, but the wealth was there.
When assayed az the Denver mint later
on its purity was source Of wonder.
Why should the treasure have been left?
may be asked. Who can tell when and
why the Atzecs went? The ruins OF
their cities are found all over tho west,
but the race disappeared off the face Of
the earth before the Pilgrim fathers
touched these shores.
Bring along n chunk to show to the
boys" said Bob, and each selected a
specimen and made haste down the
canyon
The discovery was hailed with delight
by the three outlaws left on guard, and
plans were Immediately made and dis
cussed for loading up the stuff and get
ting out Of the valley. In the making
Of these plans Taylor seemed to be en-
tirely ignored, and when he put III his
boast of finding the cave Bob took occa-
zion to remark:
1--WE didn't need yer help in the least,
cause we had the bearings all O. K,
but it was white in you to offer yer
services, an we Lain't the men to for
get it,"
But I'm to have my fifth of course"
hotly exclaimed Taylor
The men looked at each other without
replying, but presently he was ordered
TO stand guard at the wagon while they
went up together to bring down the first
load of treasure.
They think they have caught fool!'
Missed Taylor as he looked after them,
but they are mistaken. They are play
ing with tiger"
CHAPTER XXII.
"PheW! But we have struck cave OF
tha 6es6w cyclained Joe who wos