The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-27
CHAPTER Continued.

Estenega took the lantern, and hold
ing it just above his head and close tc
the walls slowly traversed the room.
Ii was belted with three strata of crys
tallike quartz, sown thick with glitter.
ing yellow specks and chunks. Tht
strata were about three feet wide each.
There Is fortune here" he said.
He felt none Of the greed Of gold, merely
recognition Of its power.
Eyes, senior, enough to pay the debt Oh
q nation"
Where are we? Under what hill? !
am sorry had not a compass with me-
1t was impossible to make any accurate
guess of direction in that slanting tun-
mel. Where is the outlet"
The priest made no reply.
Estenega turned to him peremptorily.
ANSWER me. How can find this place
from without
"You never will find il from without.
When the danger from Indians was over
pious father closed the opening. This
gold is not for you. You could not find
even the trapdoor by yourself"
''Then why have you brought me
here2"
ITO tantalize you. To punish you for
your insult to the church through me-
Kill me now. if you wish. Better death
than hell"
Estenega made a rapid circuit Of the
room. There was no mode of egress
other than that by which they had en-
tered, and no sign Of any previously ex-
listing. He sprang upon the priest and
shook him until the worn stumps rat
tied in tseir gums. "You dogl" he said,
Ito balk me with your ignorant super
rtitioni Take me out of this place by its
other entrance at once that l may re-
main on the hill until morning. would
not trust your word You shall tell me
II have to torture you"
The priest made sudden spring and
closed with Estenega. hugging him like "A
bear. The lantern fell and went out
The two men stumbled blindly in the
blackness. striking the walls, wrestling
desperately. the priest using his teeth
and painting like beast. But he was no
match tor the virility and science of his
young opponent Estenega threw him
In q moment and bound him with the
rope Then he found the lantern and lit
the candle again He returned 10 the
priest and stood over him. The latter
was conquered physically. but the dogged
light OF bigotry still burned in his eyes,
although Estenega's were not agreeable
20 face.
Estenega was furious. He had twisted
Santa Anna--one of the most subtle and
self seeking men OF his time-around his
finger as II he had been yard of ribbon.
Alvarado. the wisest man ever born in
the CALIFORNIA;, was swayed by his judg-
ment, yet all the arts OF which his intel.
iect was master fell blunt and useless
before this clay Drained priest. He had
more respect for the dogs in his kennels,
put unless he resorted to extreme meas.
ures the creature would defeat him
through sheer brute ignorance. Estenega
was not man TO stop in sight of victory
or 70 give his sword to an enemy he de.
spised-
You are at my mercy. You realize
that now. suppose. Will you show me
the other way OUT"
The priest drew down his under lip
Hike snarling dog. revealing the discol-
ored stumps. but he made no reply.
Estenega lit a match. and kneeling be-
side the priest held II TO his stubbled
beard. As the flame licked the flesh the
man uttered yell like kicked brute.
Estenega sprang TO his feet with an oath.
Il can't do I'll" he exclaimed with bitter
disgust II haven't the iron of cruelty
IN me. 1 am not tit TO be ruler ofmen,