The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-03-21
INV Jove,. exclaimed the Amigo. as

though struck by sudden idea, II
should much like to have a lump of that
quartz to take away with me. Let's go
down few feet and knock bit off.
That man over there will lower us. and
il we did not go far, there would be no
danger of the rope breaking. Do
comet" ~ -. ~
Now, Don Manuel had hoped that all
risk of discovery was over, and he did
not at all enjoy the notion of running
deliberately into danger again. Still,
he felt obliged to give reluctant con-
sent But l won't go any distance" he
declared, firmly; lit would be extreme
~ dangerous!"
at would, indeed!" responded the
Amigo, dryly.
1--WE had better send for my nan to
let us down." suggested Don Manuel,
when he had yielded the point.
s.Oh, it is not worth while for such
few feet" said the Amigo; ''that Indian
over there will do just as WELL"
"But he will not know how far to
send u.s." objected Don Manuel.
"Show him yourself, them" returned
the lad. "You can tell how far it is safe
to 60"
Somewhat soothed by this concession
Don Manuel gave the necessary instruc-
tons. This done, he stepped back to
the cage, and, with true Mexican polite.
ness, motioned to his companion to be
D,,x 80 a. no in
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 rapid ges-
trre from his patron of the morning
swung the cage off. and began to lower
1t with its sole occupant.
''Stop! stop!" shouted Don Manuel
excitedly. "My Amigo is coming with
me.'
mo, he is not" replied that young
gentleman, calmly. "You seem TO be
unacquainted with some important de-
tails in the character of your mine,"
he went on, "and 1 am going to give you
an 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 out!" screamed Don Manuel,
as the cage began to sink. 81 won't go
doryG. ! 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 hal gone
far enough. He was then drawn back
to within 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 acquaint your
self with important particulars. Now,
know that you still hare my check
Tor half thu purchase money in your
pocket, because you told me SD yester-
day. SO 1 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 "How
dare you attempt to rob me in this
way? 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 himagain,'
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 a
drowned rat than before.
With his wet hands he tried to dash
the water out of his eyes; then, with
out word, he commence fumbl;ng
in his pockets. After several efforts
he succeeded in drawing out damp
pocketbook and, diving hastily into
it's recesses, he produced piece Of
paper which he reluctantly held ont to
his tormentor.
''Takeit!' he said, with melliauous,
though forcible, Spanish oath, land
let me out OF this piace!'
The Amigo stopped down cautious
ly 10 possess himself of the check, then
stood up to examine it carefully. Hav-
ing assured himself that il was indeed
his own, he tore it into minute frag-
4 II