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

day. This plan was carried out, and
on their arrival they were met by man
in Don ManuePs employ, who con-
| Quoted them at once to the mine. 1t
was already provided with a cage, so
! there was no obstacle to going down at
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 20 being low
cred. They were let down very slowly,
in order, rs 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 go
very far, AID, accordingly, at precon-
certed secret signal. the cage began
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?' he
demanded, Nth seeming anger, when
Jhey reached the top. The man in
! charge of the windlass, with many eX-
cuses, said that he bad jus. discovered
flaw in the chain, and did not think
il 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 enchanted with what
he had already seen, and went off 10
the maison in a contentcd frame of
mind. The lad was too excited to sleep,
and lay tossing upon his comfortable
bed until daybreak, when ne arose and
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 if 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 Season of yester-
days interrupted descent. and asked
the man if he could not secure the chain
with rope. and thor lower him into the
mine The Indian indllgcd In broad
grin before replying.
The chaiI is all right" lie said, slow
ly eve of the village, we know why
it is not permitted that 'he senior de-
scend If tne senior gives me pesetas,
then l will tell him things OF much
value" The Amigo hesitatad, while
sort of chill passed over his youthful
enthusiasm.
'I'Ii tell you what ne 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 l see that you have spoken
truly, YOU shall have money"
Good" replied the man; "it is as
the senior pieases. But it is desirab bic
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
precaution IF borrowing ii candle, and
by its aid he recognized all the lard
marks that they had passed the pre-
vious day. lie ga7ed at the glistening
walls with curiosity, and then the fancy
seized him to glaHce 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
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
zen cheated grossly He was no linan-
cial genius, after all, but only IL raw
youth who had come very near being
outwitted by a Mexican sharper. He
flushed angrily i'll the semi-darkness as
he signaled to be drawn up.
Don Manuel had behaved shamefullv
but he would get even somehow. And
by the time that he reached terra tirma
che outlines of plan of revenge were
shaping themselves in his brain.
The Indian came forward with a
smile. did the senior see enough ?" he
asked.
PLENTY" replied the youth, !acon.
ically.
Look here" he continued, presently
81 may want you to do something foI
me in an hour or two. VIII you wait
about here until | return? If you do as
| tell you without saying anything, II
: ray you well. See, here is handful OF
pesctas to go on with, and you shall
have more afterwards
THE senior is "A caballero of degree,
said the man, gravely, land | will serve
him with devotion"
Then stay here" replied the Amigo;