The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-04-11
CHAPTER III.
THE srson srnIcKLANp.

THE SENIOR STRICKLAND
Two and twenty years ago l, Ignatio.
visited village in the state OF Tam
aulipas, named Cumarvo, beautiful
place, half hidden In pine forests among
the mountains. / came to this village
because friend of mine, one of the
brethren of the Order of the Heart.
wrote 10 me saying that there was an
Indian In the neighborhood who had in
his possession an ancient Aztec scroll,
which, being In picture writing, neither
he nor anyone else could read.
This scroll had descended 20 the In
dian through many generations, and
with II a tradition that it told of very
rich gold mine Ia the mountains where
OF the site was lost. which had been
closed to save II from the grip of Cortes,
by tho order of Guatemoc, my fore
father.
Now had been taught the secret of
the picture-writing when first was In
itiated in the mysteries OF the Heart
This writing the Indian was willing
10 give up TO me as Lord Of the Heart.
and accordingly ! journeyed TO Cumar-
vo 70 study IT. On my arrival at the
house of my friend heard that the
Indian had died of sudden sickness,
and that his son would soon discover
where the scroll was hidden.
Another thing l heard also, namely,
that white man, an Inglese, the first
who ever visited these parts, had come
to the village about six months before,
and was engaged In working some old
silver mines on behalf Of company, n
task that he found difficult, for the
Mexican owners of land in the neigh
borhood, being jealous OF him and
angry because he paid his men fair
wage, were striving to prevent Indians
from laboring in his mine.
II CHANGED that fray arose on the
night of my arrival at Cumarvo. On
the morrow / saw the fruits Of IL as
walked down the little street. In the
middle of the street, lying In the shade
Of house, were two dead men. A
handsome Indian girl, with a sullen and
unmoycd countenanco, was engaged In
winding n serapc, or blanket, round one
OF the bodies, but the other lay I'M
tended, certain stains upon the cloth
ing revealing the manner OF its end.
On n doorstep sat n third man, wounded
about the head and face, while the bar
Der OK the village, It's only doctor, Mt
tempted 10 remove his hair with pair
OF blunt scissors, so that he might dress
the cut.
what Is the cause of this, senor?" I
asked the DnTDcr.
II think that have the honor Of adj
dressing Don Ignatio," the little man
answered, and, lifting his hands from
their work, he made sign showing
that he, also, was a member OF our
brotherhood, though humble one.
"Ah, thought so" he went on as /
gave the countcrsign; "we heard that
you were going TO visit us. and am
glad of 1t, for / weary OF dressing
wounds on Sundays, and perhaps you
may be able 20 put stop 10 these
fights. The woman was the cause OF
It, OF course, senior; these arc not the
first that she has brought TO their
deaths" and he nodded at the girl who
was wrapping the body in blanket.
With a sigh was turning TO go, for
IL saddcned me 10 think that when
drink got hold of them woman should
have power 20 change these men, who
were my brethren. into savage beasts
thirsting for each others blood
'Ahl" i unused, had IL not been for
TINT other woman who destroyed me
and my hope, by now had begun 10
teach them better"
At this moment I CHANGED 10 glance
up TO see n man such as / had never be-
fore behold, standing at my side and
gazing Mt me.
James Strickland. the Englishman.
was fine man. over thirty years In
nge, short In proportion to his width.
though somewhat sparo In frame and
delicate in limb. His features were rs
clearly cut as those OF an ancient god
upon a marble wall, and his eyes were
as blue as tho sea and his curly hair
yellow as Mimosa bloom.
"Your pardon, senor," said the man
IN good Spanish, bowling TO me rs no
spoke, "but unwittingly / have over
heard some OF your talk, and i cannot
understand how it comes about that
you, stranger, have so much author
ity. wish that you would explain a
TO me I'm order that might learn how
90 put a stop 20 such murders. These
dead men were two of my best work.
men, and do not know where shall
look 20 replace them"
II cannot explain II, scnor." I an
swcrcd, returning his bow, further
than 20 say that l have certain rank
among thu Indians. on account OF
which they reverence me. Still, though
I have no right 20 ask II Of n stranger.
pray that you will forget any words
which may chance 20 have reached
your ears. since OF such authority the
government Is jealous"
by oil means. senior, they arc al
rcudy forgotten. Well, adios, this sight
a not 40 pleasant that wish 70 study
IT," and replacing his hat upon his
head he passed on.
Although my Journey proved 70 be
vain. Ms the scroll 4 came 10 read had
v.nLnnsd. fingered In The village, al