The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-02-20

down few feet and knock off,
That man over there will lowe and.
if we did not go far, there wo e no
danger of the rope breakiS Do
cosne!"
Now, Don Manuel had hoped I all
risk of discovery was over, an did.
not at all enjoy the notion of ing.
deliberately into danger agaii TILL,
he felt obliged to give relucti rn5
sent. "But L won't go any dista e
declared, firmly; "it would be e.
~ dangerous"
1T would, indeed" respon the
Amigo, dryly.
I'VE had better send for myynan to
let us down." suggested Don Manuel,
when he had yielded the point.
"Oh, it is not worth while for such q
few feet" said the Amigos that Indian
over there will do just as we'll"
But he will not know how far to
send u.s. objected Don Manuel.
"Show him yourself, then" returned
the lad. You can tell how far il is safe
to GO"
Somewhat soothed by this concession
| Don Manuel gave the necessary instruc-
tons. This done, he stepped back to
the cage, and, with true Mexican poliie-
ness, motioned to his companion to lie,
seated. But not to be outdone in courI
tesy, the latter insisted upon giving
the older man precedence, and after
much hesitation Don Manuel seated
himself. Scarcely had he done so, when
the Indian, in obedience to a RAPID ges-
ture from his patron of the morning,
swung the cage off, and began to lower
it with it's sole occupant.
"Stop! stop" shouted Don Manuel,
excitedly. "My Amigo is coming with
mel"
''No, he is not" replied that young
gentleman, calmly. You seem 20 be
unacquainted with some important de-
tails in the character OF your mine, y
he went on, land am going to give you
al opportunity of finding them out.
have already done so, and do not, there
fore, intend to descend again. hope
that you will have pleasant eXpedi-
ton. Good-by!"
Let me Quit" screamed Don Manuel,
as the cage began to sink. II won't go
down! l shall be drowned! Murder
ers! Murderers!"
AS his head disappeared from view
and his voice grew fainter, the lad
went over to the man at the windlass.
Lower him quickly" he said, 80 that
when he touches water we shall hear
the splash. Then pull him up as fast as
you can. but don't bring him quite to
the top"
| The Indian nodded, proceeding to
obey his instructions to the letter. As
the cage went deeper, Don Manuefs
agonized entreaties died away in the
distance, until at last wild yell and a
noise of water showed that he ha gone
far enough. He was then drawn back
to within a foot of the mouth OF the
mine, where he hung helplessly in
! space, a drenched and shivering object.
You see was right, said the Amigo;
you had omitted to acGuaint your
self with in portant particulars. Now,
know that you still ha; e my cheek
Tor half tn purchase money in your
pocket, because you told me So yester-
day. SO L will give you your choice
You may hand it to me at once, or you
may still further increase your store
of information regarding that mine
by exploring il again
THE money belongs to me-" cx-
claimed Don Manuel, angrily 'H6w
dare you attempt to rob me in this
way3 Still, as the property appears
to be less valuable than I thought,
will let you off paving the half that you
still owe me. That ought to content
you"
Perhaps. But it doesn't" replied
the amigo, quietly. Lower him again,
he added, t. the Indian.
wretch! brigand! I'll give you the
check Pull me up! Oh, que des'
gracia" yelled Don Manuel, as he be-
gan &c descend.
But his prosecutors paid no atten
ton to these appeals. Once more was
heard that significant splash, and once
more was Don Manuel drawn to the
surface, looking even more like 6
drowned rat than before.
With his wet hands he tried to dash
the water out of his eyes; then, with
out word, he commenced fumbline
in his pockets. after several efforts
he succeeded in drawing out damp
pocketbook and, diving hastily into
It's recesses, he produced piece O
paper which he reluctantly held out t.
his tormentor.
Take it, he said, with mellifuous
though forcible, Spanish oath, "and
let me out OF this piace!"
The Amigo stopped down cautions
ly 10 possess himself of the check, thcr
stood up to examine it carefully. Hav
ing assured himself that it was indeed
mis- own, he tore it into minute frag
ments and threw the pieces down the
mine. "There, that's done with" he
said; land now you can come out.
hope that you have not taken chilli
Disdaining to notice this .,ivIlity, Dor
Manuel stepped 6n to the ground, ant
was beginn ng to walk sdlkily away
when a new thought appeared to strik,
him. Look here he inquired, "ar,
you az orphan?"
Yes" replied his late hmigo, with