The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-12-09

which he trades, think that l must
pay him n visit and learn what mill it
was stamped at s...
"Then, having plucled me bare as n
fowl for the oven, they let me go with
out hurt"
~
1, Ignatio, sat late that night ponder
ing over these tidings that filed me
with strange hope. l threw myself
upon my bed and strove to sleep, but
could not. Then remembering the
scroll that my friend had given me, l
rose, purposing to change my thoughts
in studying it and so win sleep. 1t was
hard task, but at length mastered its
meaning, and found that it dealt with
mine near Cumarvo, and described
the exact position of the mouth of the
tunnel.
This mouth, it would appear. had
been closed up in the reign of Guate-
moe, and the scroll was written by
the cacique who had charge of the
mine in those days, in order that rec
ord might remain that would enable
his descendants to reopen it, should n
time come when the Spaniards were
driven from the land. That the mine
was very rich in free gold was shown
by the weights of pure metal stated in
this scroll to have been sent year by
year to the court of Montezuma by this
cacique, and also by the fact that it
was thought worth hiding from the
Spaniards.
Early on the morrow I went to the
room of Senior Strickland and spoke to
him with heavy heart.
"Senor," | said, ''you will remember
that when entered your service told
you that l might have to leave it at
any moment. Now 1 am here to say
that the time is come, for a messenger
has arrived to summon me to the other
end of Mexico upon business of which
/ may not speak, and tomorrow must
start upon the journey"
Il am sorry to hear it, Ignatio,n he
answered, "for You have been a rood
friend to me. Still, you do well to sep.
arate your fortunes from those of an
unluclSy man."
And you, senior, do i'll to speak thus
to me-" l answered; .still, / forgive
you because l know that at times,
when the heart is sore, the mouth ut
tiers words that are not meant. Listen.
senior: When You have eaten your
breakfast, will you take a ride with
me?"
Certainly, if you like. But where
do you want to ride TOP"
ITO another mine that is, or should
be, about two hours on horseback from
here, in valley at the foot of yonder
| peak"
An hour later we were riding amonr
the mountains, having left a message
for Molas to say that l shouid>retu1.r
before dark. After a hard Journey and
long search, by good luck, we discov-
cred hole Immediately beneath n
rock, large enough for n man to creep
into.
WAS this made by coyote, or is
it the mouth of mine?" the senior
asked.
THAT we can only find out by en+o,.-
ing it," answered. Doubtless when
they shut down the mine the antiques
would have left some such place ~
this to ventilate the workings. Brin
the plckax, senior, and we will soon
see."
For ten minutes or more we laboreH
working in soft ground with pick ar
| spade till we barred the side of tur-
mel, which l examined
There is oneed to trouble further. -
l said, ''this rock has been cut with
copper chisels. for here is the green of
the copper. Without doubt we have
found the mouth of the mine. Now
give me the hammer and candles. md
/ bring the leather bag for samples, and
we will enter"
Continued next week.