The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-05-26

of camp or mining town. It ali seemed
so natural and civilized, especially the
profanity, that he had to turn and look
into his doorway upon Leila standing
there before he realized it all. Pierce
was introducing Gale Whitley and the
sheriff, warmly praising them and their
conduct of the search. He did not know
how timely had been his arrival or he
would have termed it a rescue.
The eyes of both Gale and the sheriff
had been rowing over the city and cal
culating its strength and riches. To
them, from where they stood, it present
ed merely the appearance Of pueblo,
with the general makeup Of which they
were too familiar to expect to discover
much of art or treasure. They were
somewhat disappointed with its COM
monplace and in parts almost ruinouS
appearance, and felt their hopes rather
dashed as they observed no golden domes
and glittering palaces rising In the midst
of green gardens. But they had found
the object of their search and earned the
reward, which was comforting refec-
ton to turn to after all. They gazed
rather curiously upon the bearded man
in the strange, un-American costume as
he stood before them with the confused
look in his eyes of the sleeper awaking.
Leila was watching them with wom-
ans curiosity. Already she had noted
all their faces and compared them with
her ideal yet real lover, and much to
their disadvantage. She had been con-
fident that there were no men like him,
and now she was assured. When Eric
invited them within she greeted them
graciously and with the manner Of a
princess. She spoke to them with a
brave effort in their own tongue, with a
curious blending of modesty and pride,
and her voice fell upon their ears with
queerly foreign information unlike any
thing they had ever heard. Wearing a
white lambs wool gown, flowing freely
about her perfect figure and encirc1ed
at the waist by a wide gold belt, she
stood scanning each face and form, a
picture of queenly beauty and grace.
Pierce bowed before her in respect
and almost reverence, so surprisingly
lovely she looked in her archaic costume.
He noted her fair hair. blue eyes and
perfect mouth in sincere, unqualified adj
miration, marvelng that this could real
ly be savage. Five minutes later he
was willing to swear she was a New
Yorker whom fate had buried here In
the wilderness for Gilbert to unearth,
and then some little action or accent
filed him with new feeling, and he
was wondering again.
The others simply realized that she
was wondrously beautiful woman
Eric's wife, as they supposed-and gave
no thought to the wonder of her appear
ance in that desert realm. Besides thei1
thoughts were on revenue bent; they
longed to see the treasures of Atz1an and
divide them. They felt as Pizarro's fol
lowers must have felt as they saw the
Inca's treasures almost in their grasp
millions upon millions-for in spite of
,Pierces caution some inkling of Eric's
message had circulated among the men,
and they dreamed of millions for all
hands. Their impotence was so mani
fest in their looks and remarks that
Pierce, after short talk with Gilbert,
called them together and addressed
them:
''Now, beys, our search is ended.
What there is in this place for us no one
knows yet, but it will rest with Mr.. Gill
bert as to what we shall have. He has
enough to pay you all well for your
trouble, but there will be no footing
this village; what you can obtain by
fair trade is one thing and wholesale
robbery another. If any man is detected
tusing violence he will forfeit his pay.
THESE people are nervous and fright
Tened; any overt act might precipitste a
kconiict for which the United States
Government will hold us responsible.
Therefore I warn you all to be careful
.Disobedience to orders now means sum-
mary punishment. No man enters the
city until permission is given. We will
Ego into camp here and await further
orders from Mr.. Gilbert"
Z The men withdrew, leaving Pierce,
WHITLEY and the sheriff with Eric.
breakfast was prepared for them, and
they were soon discussing the situation
over the table, at the head Of which sat
Leila, Kulcan having departed, in a sud-
den accession of courage, to the city to
calm the people there. Eric explained
the state of affairs briefly, giving them
an insight into the politics and religion
of the Atzlans, the recent effort OF Chal-
pa to obtain hold upon the offices, and
an account of his attempt upon Eric
and of Chalpa's death, leading up to the
action of the previous night, when the
firing had attracted the attention of the
rescuers camped In the canyon.
knowing nothing of Gale or the sher-
he refrained from any description Of
he treasure he had found, but he stated
That he had accumulated considerable
gold and silver, which he thought per-
haps had better be equally divided among
the men This arrangement he felt
would reward them literally, In addi-
ton TO their stipulated pay. It was
4greed by Gale and the sheriff that. this
would be most satisfactory, and the
matter was then dropped.
Pierce now RECALLED Eric-and Leila as
Fell-with resume of political and
Sther events which had occurred IN the
world from which Gilbert had been shut
5ut, and the noon hour was upon them
! 4efore be had finished. Mean5zhsIe the