The Van Buren press., 1894-04-07

not allowing any dog of Greasee to
talk to him in that way. he broke ous
into Spanish, In which he cursed the
chief Of the banditti roundly. and re-
fused to stir finger toward undress-
ing.
"Contreres laughed quietly ut this
spirited rebellion against his COM
mands, and remarkeds
".I like to hear man talk that way.
He might prove quite companionable
fellow ytta5 u
"But he did not descend to argu-
ment At nod Of his handsome head
q trio of his lieutenants seized the
guide and made short work OF the strip
ping process, lf#
meantime the rap of my knuckles
against the samples In my pocket
started my ideas In q new line. -
".Senor,' said l, will you allow me
to make statement to you% {
Certainly, proceed he answered.
..Taking the samples from my pocket
Isaid:
"T am the engineer of New York
mining company md am returning
from their prospects just beyond this
range. Those samples and those In
| the saddle bags, yonder, will satisfy
you of the truth of this statement
had already decided to make favor
able report upon the property, and 1t
strikes mo that II would be many times
more to your profit to permit me to go
ON my way and make report which
will result In the operation OF the mine
and the hauling Of gold bullion through
your stronghold, than to leave US to the
cougars andcoyptea'
II was surprised At his answer,
which was no answer at all, but simply
an evasion in the form of another ques-
ton.
"'What do you think your company
would pay for good prospect In this
sectionS
".I could answer that only after see.
ing the prospect, and then only ap-
proximately,' l replied.
HE pulled his long, heavy. black
mustache reAectively for few min.
utes, and then said:
"I have prospect up here in the
hills which is simply being worked in
crude way. 1t has never been exam
ined by an expert, so far as know.
The fact Ia that my Intercourse witt
gentlemen Of your profession has been
confined strictly to passing interviews.'
Il smiled my appreciation of his
joke. This seemed to please him. Per-
ceiving that he was on his good nature,
l determined to risk my chances on q
bold, frank proposition.
"'senor, make you this propositions:
Set my men and myself free, make us
your guests instead of your captives
and will make q thorough examina-
tioh and candid report upon your prop
erty. II find 1t equal or superior to
that which have already examined l
will recommend the company to pur-
chase and operate 1t, In which case you
are to guarantee them immunity and
protection from all depredat!ons. And
in any event you pledge your honor as
a gentleman to allow us to go our way
in peace after have made the exam
ination and written the report, ire
spective OF what the latter may be.
"Again he relapsed into meditation.
and in his posture Of elegant repose l
was forced to the inward acknowledge
ment that he looked, every inch of him
to be q ca6aNero, a perfect gentle
man!
.'Then, with the positiveness Of the
man of real decision OF character he
said: ',.,.........
"'Senor, I accept your proposition
and enforced his words by stepping
forward and giving me ,he embrace
and handshake-t the customary friendly
greeting Of q Mexican gentleman.
my guide and servants were imme-
diately released and their clothes were
restored to them.
I'VE were then conducted through
we're engaged in working his prospects,
in very crude way. During the
nine days In which we remained his
guests we were as Hospitality enter
tanned as the rude conveniences of q
mountain camp would permit, for, of
course he was too shrewd and cautious
TO introduce us to any OF the secrets of
his stronghold, save that of the mine
and l must confess that I could not
keep from liking aud even admiring
the man, who was not only a born
leader Of men, but thoroughly
cultured gentleman, who had fallen
into high-handed ways through the
doubtful practice OF 'proclaiming
towns in periods Of high political ex-
citement and upheaval. His active
followers numbered no less than one
hundred, and probably most Of the
nearest rancheros were In league with
him. as matter of self preservation,
II for no other reason.
"When my Investigations were com.
pleted made out my report to the
company, recommending that they pay
him eight thousand dollars for his
claims nd'guarantee OF protection.
"Hc was satisfied with this and WI
bade each other farewell with hearty
embrace and hand-shakes. ~--@~
The conservative stockholders in
New York debated long over the
unique problem Of faith in gentle
mans word Of honor, but at last con
cluded that II the niue was rich enough
to tempt them to risk their capital In
its development, the output, in bullion
would be sufficient to tempt Senol
Contreres to forget his fair promise o,
r,rotaction and syoop doxyp ,,rOu <hs