Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-08-07
SEEKING GOLD
A STORY FROM PANAMA ABOUT THE
BURIED TREASURE OF THE INCAs.
The Spanish Nobleman Who Refused
to Tell Where He Was Going
Almost Lost His Life
as q Result.

W. Z. Curtis. in the Chicago Record.
I arrived at Panama some years ago IN
the midst of a violent revolution, q pronun-
ciamento, as they call it. having been is
sued against the existing government,
which was making desperate efforts to re-
tain power. Every stranger was regarded
with suspicion, and with good reason 1t
was strongly believed by the authorities
that the rebels got their money and nuni-
tions of war from foreign spectators. The
Pacific mail steamer upon which arrived
was full of irresponsible. excited Spanish
Americans, eager TO take q hand In the
shindy.
Mr.. Adamson, the United States consul
general, and Captain Dow, superintendent
of the Pacific Mail Company, satisfied the
governor and commandante that was
harmless, but my friend was In trouble
He denied all connection with the rsvoiu-
tionists, declared that he was en- route 20
Ecuador on business OF great Importance
and was a citizen OF Spain. but declined 10
apply to his consul or even show ms pass
ports, and his imperious manners not only
aroused the suspicion but the enmity or
the civil and military officers
Maria Santissimar he exclaimed,
which he had been lounging on the balcoay
of the Grand Central hotel at Panama,
and looking me fiereely In the face demand
ed: DO you, amigo mio. believe the in
with the pronunciamentosf
II believe this much. Senior Arce," ! re-
piled; unless you make clear your Identity
you will go to the cabildo when the rest Of
US go TO the steamer"
At midnight gun was fired from the
ship in the beautiful harbor OF Panama.
and teniente, with a squad OF men, ap-
peared at the hotel to escort US TO the
ships boat that lay at the wharf. My be-
longings were gathered for hasty removal
so So at the first signal 1 sprung from my
chair on the balcony and ran to my roon.
I was confronted by a handsome but half
through the corridor. i noticed he had
Senior Arce's luggage also, and explained
that 1t was not to be taken away.
is ths pTdf Is 70 be
''No such person on board, said the pur-
ser later in reply to my inquiry about Arce:
turned over to me by the teniente who es-
corted you to the ship, and he gave strict
orders that none Of your party should
other passengers should be taken"
Gone to the gloomy bastile," remarked
a sturdy Englishman who had shared our
fright and discomfort, as he pulled his
pipe from his mouth
/ was lying in my hammock one morn
ing three days out, when steward IN
Ill, desired to see me. 1 made inquiries,
but He Is Ill, senor,' was all the reply
got, "and may have the fever; SO you mad
better consult the surgeon before you see
him.
1 followed the surgeon to where his pa
tfent lay in a rude canvas hammock, at
tended by a good Samaritan IN h tns person person
were scattered about in the vicinity, ana
recognized the cargador who had carried
my luggage to the boat
You are very Ill, my GOOD reloW. Whar
can l do for you?'
You do not know me?" he murmured
In husky whispers.
Yes, I remember you. saw you the
night we left Panama, and when ! went 10
pay you for carrying my luggage you had
disappeared. Were you unable to get back
to the city. or did you come away inten-
He smiled family, and, drawing my ear
close to his mouth with his fevered hand,
said:
II am Arce cut my hair and shaved
my face to escape, but say nothing to the
doctor or captain: want to die as I am" !"
1t was with difficulty that / repressed an
exclamation Of establishment, and, turning
to the surgeon. ! said:
'aThis man should be made as comfortable
as possible Please take him to state
It was not an hour afterward that Don
Maneul Arce lay in a comfortable berth,
which We found In the baggage room. and
the best attendance the ship could afford;
but he was very i'll, and certain that death
was rapidly overtaking him.
When we finally got to Guayaquil Senior
Arce was able to be carried TO a hotel,
where he revealed to me the object Of his
journey. which % was nothing more nor less
which has lured so many adventurers and
spectators to destruction, the buried treas
urs of the Incas, millions of dollars worth
of gold and silver supposed to buried in
the mountains south Of Quito by the faith
full Incas, who were bringing It to the
spaniards in h. I555 N for the ransom Of At
an opportunity to participate in the tolls
and rewards OF his adventure, but as
signed my share to a Yankee sailor who
had been running 4 steamboat on the
Guayas river. but was Just then out Of en-
ployment.