The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-25

warIIke. as mooch heathen--Dios help
them!-as were their ancestors when
the gr-reat Pizarro led his conques-
tadors TO old Cuzco. And with them,
senors-with them. I say spent
tree long years. All, they were terri
bic years. But I am repaid-ah, yes.
senors!" He looked from one to the
other of his listeners. ''Senors." he
whispered. Il hat knowledge of the
lost treasures Of the Incas!"
The faces of Keith and Ford Kin
sale displayed their interest; but the
traders rudy countenance was
white, and he stared at the speaker
with wide open eyes and mouth
Il. Jose Rodriguez, learned that
which the Indians themselfs knew
not" pursued the spaniard. Il
learned the secret which their old men
had forgotten. Aye, I was their cap
tive, but I had eyes. 81. senior, 1 haf
seen the Incas' cave"
THE Incas' cave?" repeated Keeth.
81 senior. The cave OF wealth; the
tr-reasure house of the great Incas
who ruled this land when my coun-
trymen conquered it My eyes hat
been blinded by the glare Of gold
dazzled by the fash OF such gems as
would fifty adorn a nonarch's crown.
I, Jose Rodriguez, hat seen all dist"
He uttered these words excitedly
and looked from Keeth to his friends
with keenest scrutiny.
You doubt me. senors!" he cried
Look. behold
With trembling fingers he tore open
his coat and thrust one hand into a
slit in its lining In an instant he
drew forth a thin bar Of metal half
a foot in length and three or four
inches wide. It was dead yellow in
hue
He threw it down at their feet and
brought out three others from the
same hiding place. Fitch bounced
upon them like a hawk. He touched
his tongue to a bar, bit it, and turned
to his companions with a face as
white as chalk.
"Gold-virgfn gold, as Him a Twin
mani" he gasped.
Where those came from, senors.
went on Rodriguez. becoming calmer
as his listeners excitement increased,
were great heaps Of such bars
wealth, seniors! Reaches beyond be-
Iief.''
And those are all you brought
away?" demanded Keith.
Isl, senor-aH- I was alone; be-
1iefed I was pursued, though now
t'ink I was not. Eet was trough the
old treasure cavern make my es-
cape, an its entrance has been lost
to the Indians themselves for genera
tons I found it quite by accident.
They perhaps t'fnk me drown: but,
by the blessing Of Sancta Maria, I
was safe I travel many days trough
these mountains.
Then I fall in with the Indians
from whom you rescued me. They
were kind to me at first; but when they
see this'--iIs pointed to the tattoo
mark again-"Carramba they all like
fiends. The mark was placed there
soon after I was captured. Eet is
sign known to all the hides Of the
Andes Only for eet I would
He stopped and looked searchingly (
into their faces.
You would what?" demanded Ford. /
Il would go back and secure some
of the lost wealth of the Incas."
Fitch pressed forward.
See ere" he said eagerly IF
man could fix it so nobody would see
that mark, would you risk it?"
Can you do that, eenor?" demanded
the Spaniard, his eyes flashing.
Hi believe So returned the trader. {
Hive got some grease paint IN one
of my packs-such as hactors use.
carry a little of everything. Hi be-
Iieve Hi could make you hup so that
your mother wouldn't know you"
IF you can do this. senior"
Rodriguez looked about at the two
you niger men, studying their eager
faces carefully.
win you all tree go" he said .
There is enough and to spare for
all. Eet Is dangerous. Death turks
not alone in savage foes. but in the
trails. the torrents to be crossed, the /
precipices to be scaled. But the prize +
-t'ink of the prizel Wealth beyond /
your dreams, seniors, Will you go?" |