The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-03-21

lance from the city, they arranged to
ride there one day, spend the night at
the village maison, and return the next
day. This plan was carried out, and
on their arrival they were met by man
in Don Manuels employ, who con-
Quoted them at once to the mine. It
was already provided with a cage, SO
there was no obstacle to going down ut
once. The new owner gazed at the sur
face with delight, while his companion
held whispered consultation with the
man. Then the two seated themselves
in the cage. preparatory to being low
cred. They were let down very slowly.
in order, as Don Manuel explained.
that his young friend might examine
the walls at his leisure, thus assuring
himself OF the richness of the quartz.
The Amigo, being extremely ignorant
of the whole subject, did his best to
look wise. 1t may be imagined, how
ever, that there was little intention of
allowing the youthful purchaser to so
very far, and, accordingly, at prec"n-
oerted secret signal. the cage began
Enthusiastically to ascend again. The
Englishmaa exclaimed with surprise,
and Don Manuel gave vent to impatient
calculations concerning the stupidity
Of natives.
"lyhat is the meaning of thisT" he
demanded, With seeming anger, when
they roache.; the top The man in
charge of the windlass, with many OK
cuses, said that he had jus. discovered
flaw in the chain, and did not think
it safe for the seniors to descend fur
Their until this had been repaired.
Therefore, he had drawn them up as
quickly as possible.
The Amigo was cnchante! with what
he had already seen, and went off TO
the maison in contented frame OF
mind. The lad was too excited to sleep,
and lay tossing upon his comfortable
bed until daybreak, when ne arose AID
dressed.
He felt that he could not tear himself
away from his newly-acquired property
without seeing it once more, If only
from the outside, SO he went quietly
out OF the house, and directed his steps
towards thu mine. 1t did not take him
long to reach it, and he gradually be-
came possessed by an overwhelming
desire to g., down again. He was a
lightweight, and il he chose to risk
the faulty chain, the chances were that
nothing serious would happen. Cross
ing Over to where an Indian was regard
ing him curlously from the door of a
solitary hut near by, he contrived, in
guide-book Spanish, to make known
mis- wishes.
He explained the reason of yester-
days interrupted descent. and asked
| the man IL he could not secure the chain
with rope, and then lower him into the
mine. The Indian indllged in broad
grin before replying.
"The chat, is all right" lie said, slow
| ly. I'VE of the village, we know why
it is not permitted that she scnor de-
scend. If line senior gives me pesetas,
then I will tell him things OF much
value The Amigo hesitatsd, while
u sort of chill passed over his youthful
enthusiasm.
''Til tell you what,' he said, after a
moments pause; don't say any more,
but lower me into the mine, and let
me find out for myself what is wrong.
Then, If / see that you have spoken
truly, you shall have money"
'Good," replied the man; sit is as
the senior pieases. But it is desirable
that he look about him with care, and
give the signal to be draw up with
much speed"
The two walked over to the mouth
of the mine, where the Amigo stepped
into the cage, while his new acquaint-
ance went to the windlass and began
lowering him. The lad had taken the
precaution Of borrowing candle, and
by its aid he recognized all the lard
marks that they had passed the pre-
walls with curiosity, and then the fancy
seized him to glance below in order to
see how far he still was from the bot
| tom.
As he looked, he recoiled in horror.
for beneath him rose perfect sea of
black water, stagnant and duh. IT al
most touched the cage, which he now
noticed had stopped, and it filed the
mine.
| This, then, was the reason of yester-
/. days frustrated journey, and he had
been cheated grossly. He was no finaJ!
cial genius, after all, but only raw
youth who had come very near being
outwitted by a Mexican sharper. lie
flushed angrily in the semi-darlxness as
he signaled to be drawn up.
Don Manuel had behaved shamefully,
but he would get even somehow. And
by the time that he reached terra firma,
| the outlines of n plan of revenge were
| shaping themselves in his brain.
The Indian came forward with
smile. 'Did the senior see enough ?" he
| asked.
Plenty" replied the youth, lacon-
| ically.
Look here" he continued, presently.
II NAV want YOU to do something for