The Bossier banner., 1894-05-03

conducted us down the trail, l still
cherished the hope that Sassy Sam
was in error. and that we were in the
hands of government agents instead of
Contreres. the bandit.
But sharp turn in the trail, which
brought us in view of ravine below,
speedily dispelled that illusion. for
there were our Mexican servants,
stripped to the skin, while their cloth
ing was being rummaged by group of
highw aymen.
I'm marching the intervening dis
tance did more double-distilled think
ing than had done in the whole jour.
ney before-I might say in my whole
llfe-but to no avail; for, think as /
might, all plausible plans,{ot escape
eluded me with fatal perversity, and
as we were marched up to the group of
men was about giving up all hope of
concocting a scheme of escape, and
wished that we had followed Sans
reckless impulse and made bold break
for liberty while we had only couple
of captors to deal with, instead of
score of them.
1--WE halted, and a tall, athletic,
handsome young fellow stepped from
the posse and called out:
Strip
II confess that the fellows imperi-
GUS, but almost Indifferent manner, as
he gave the brief command, crossed his
legs, leaned the tip of his elbow against
the perpendicular fece of the mountain,
nd fol ,e Lea Al
his rich saltillo zerapo, while his right
hand toyed with the jeweled hilt of his
cuchtll0, inspired me with a desire to
accommodate him as quickly as posi-
BILE, and my hands sought my vest but
tons with spontaneous obedience,
knocking my knuckles soundly against
the specimens of quartz with which
my every pocket was bulging.
my guide, however, was in quite
different mood First muttering under
his breath something in English about
not allowing any dog of Greaser' to
talk to him in that way. he broke out
into Spanish, in which he cursed the
chief of the banditti roundly, and re-
fused to stir finger toward undress-
ing.
'Contreres laughed quietly at this
spirited rebellion against his COM
mands, and remarked:
L like to hear a man talk that way.
He might prove quite companionable
fellow
But he did not descend to argu-
ment. At nod of his handsome head
trio of his 1ieutenants seized the
guide and made short work of the strip
ping process.
Meantime the rap of my knuckles
against the samples in my pocket
started my ideas in a new line
"'Senor,' said /, will you allow me
to make statement to you?'
Certainly; proceed, he answered.
Taking the samples from my pocket
said:
L am the engineer of a New York
mining company and am returning
from their prospects just beyond this
range. These 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 it
strikes me that it would be many times
more to your profit to permit me to go
on my way and make a 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 and coyotes
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
section?'
"I could answer that only after see
ing the prospect, and then only ap-
proximately,' 1 replied.
"He pulled his long, heavy, black
mustache refectively for few min
utes, and then said:
"'I have prospect up here IN the
hills which is simply being worked in a
crude way. 1t has never been exam
ined by an expert, so far as 1 know.
The fact is that my intercourse with
gentlemen of your profession has been
confined strictly to passing interviews
II smiled my appreciation of his
joke. This seemed to plea ase him. Per-
ceiving that he was on his good nature,
determined to risk my chances on
bold, frank proposition.
'Senor, l make you this proposition:
Set my men and myself free, make us
your guests instead of your captives
and | will make thorough examina-
ton and candid report upon your prop
erty. If l find it equal or superior to
that which l have already examined l
will recommend the company to pur
chase and operate it, in which case you
are to guarantee them immunity and
protection from all depredations. And
in any event you pledge your honor as
gentleman to allow us to go our way
in peace after l 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 ea6aRero, a perfect gentle
man!