Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-05-07

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| theru was no obstacle to going down q
once. The new owner gazed at the sur
face with delight while his companion
held whispered consultation with tn
man. Then the two seated themselye
in the cage, preparatory to being low
cred. They were let down very slowly
F, 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.
TheAmiso, being extremely ignorant
of the whole subject, did his best t.
look wise. 1t may be imagined, how
ever, that there was little intention o.
allowing the youthful purchaser to e.
very far, and, accordingly, at a precon
certed secret signal, the cage begar
Enthusiastically to ascend again. The
Englishman exclaimed with surprise
and Don Manuel gave vent to impatient
CALCULATIONS concerning the stupidity
Of natives.
"What is the meaning of this?" liz
demanded, With seeming anger, when
they reached the top. The man in
charge Of the windlass, with many ex.
cuses, said that he had JUS. discovered
a flaw in the chain, and did not think
it safe for the seniors to descend fur
Their until this had been repaired
Therefore, lie had drawn them up as
quickly as possible.
The Amigo was cnchante,! with what
he had already seen, and went off 10
the maison in contented frame OF
mind. l'he lad was too excited to sleep,
and lay tossing upon his comfortable
bed until daybreak, when he arose and
dressed.
He felt that he could not tear himself
away from his newIy-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 BIZ an overwhelming
desire to 60 down again. He was a
lightweight. and il he chose to risk
the faulty c.iain, 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 if he could not secure the chain
with rope, and thcT lower him into the
mine. The indian INDUCED in broad
grin before replying.
1.-THE chain is alright lie said, slow
~. Eve of the village, we know why
it is not permitted that he senior de-
scend. If the senior gives me pesetas.
then will tell him things Of much
value" The Amigo hesitated, while
a sort Of chill passed over his youthful
enthusiasm.
''I'ii tell you what he said, after
moments pause; don't say any more,
but lower ne 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 abou. him with care, and
give the signal to be drawn 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
of borrowing candle, and
by its aid he recognized all he lard
marks that they had passed the pre-
vious day. He gazed at the glistening
walls with curiosity, and then the fancy
seized him TO glaace 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 dull. 1t al
nest touched The cage, which he now
noticed had stopped, and it filed the
nine.
This. then. was the reason Of yester-
lays frustrated journey. and he had
scen cheated grossly. He was no finan-
Hal genius after all, but only Il raw
youth who had come very near being
,utwitted by a Mexican sharper. He
flushed angrily in the semi-darkness as
nc signaled to be drawn up.
Don Manuel had behaved shamefully,
,ut he would get even somehow And
~ the time that he reached terra firma,
he outlines of n plan of revenge were
shaping themselves in his brain.
The Indian came forward with a
mile. did the senior see enough? 2" he
lsked.
PLENTY" replied the youth, llcon-
cnlly.
Look here" he continued, presently.
4 may want you to do something for
ne in an hour or two. Will you wait
bout here until return? If you do as
tell you without saying anything, I'll
ny you well. See, here is handful of
,esetas to go on with, and you shall
rave more afterwards"
"The senior is a caballero of degree"
aid the man, gravely, "and will serve
i'm with devotion"
4 4 = A i