Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-09-13
CHAPTER VT

"S'6ht ouVfe TIE preClplceS anu Budrueu.
on the right and left by enormous masses
OF rock, offered such conditions of secur-
ity that the poems regained all their merry
carelessness, and regarded the mysterious
fight of the guide as an accident of no
real Importance.
1t was, hence, with we'll promising ar
dor that they rose on receiving their
chiefs command and prepared under his
directions to dig the trench which was
intended to protect them from a sur
prise. This trench was to be bordered
by line Of tall stakes, running across
the open space between the rocks, which
gave the sole access to the terrace.
At the moment when the leader pro-
ceded with several poems armed with picks
and spades toward the entrance, with the
probable intention OF marking the exact
spot where the trench was to be dug, the
capataz approached, and said with re-
spectful bow:
mi amo, l have an important commu-
nication to make to you"
His master turned and looked at him
with ill-concealed distrust.
IAN important communication to make
to mel" he repeated
"Yes."
What is It? Speak, but be brief"
81 have discovered grotto."
"What?" his master exclaimed, in sur
prise.
"Yes, excellency."
"WhereT
There" he said, stretching out his
arm; behind that mass of rocks"
"A suspicious look flashed from behind
his masters eyelashes.
well, we will enter 1t together. Fetch
some torches of ocote wood, and show
us the way. By the by, do not forget to
bring weapons, for we know not what
men or beasts We may find in caverns
thus opening on a high road"
The Mexican selected six of his poems.
on whose courage he thought he could
rely, ordered them to take their muskets,
and, bidding the others keep good watch,
but not begin anything until he returned,
he made signal to the capataz that he
was ready to follow him. Carnero had
followed the arrangements made by his
master with an evil eye, but probably did
not deem 1t prudent to risk any remark,
for he silently bowed his head, and walk
ed toward the pile of rocks that masked
the entrance of the grotto.
These granite blocks, piled one on top
Of the other, did not appear, however to
have been brought there by accident. but,
on the contrary, they appeared to have
belonged in some early and remote age to
o1t, hut ,hcfo ol oI,
1T would not be prudent" said the
chief, ito venture without precautions
into this cavern. Prepare your arms, mu-
chachos, and keep your eyes open; at the
slightest suspicious sound, or the small
est object that appears, fire. Capataz,
light the torches"
The latter obeyed without a word; the
leader of the caravan assured himself at
glance that his orders had been prop
erly carried out; then taking his pistols
from his belt, he cooked them, took one
in each hand, and said to Carnero:
Take the lead. 1t is only just that
you should do the honors of this place
which you 80 Unexpectedly discovered
Forward, you others, and be on your
guard"
The eight men went into the cavern AT
the heels of the capataz, who raised the
torches above his head, doubtless in order
to cast greater light
They thus reached rather large hall,
into which several passages opened. Ali
at once the leader stopped and listened.
Listen" he said to the capataz, "do
you not hear something?"
The latter bent his body slightly for
ward and remained motionless for some
seconds.
II do" he said, drawing himself up,
1T sounds like distant thunder"
"Is 1t not? or, perhaps, the rolling of
subterranean waters"
II can swear that you are right. II
would be piece Of luck for us to find
water In the cave, for 1t would add great
ly to our security, as we should not be
obliged to lead our horses perhaps, a long
distance to drink
II will assure myself at once of the
truth. The noise proceeds from that pas-
sage, so let us follow it. As for our
men, they can wait here; we have nothing
to fear now, for If the pirates or the
Indians are ambushed to surprise US, they
would not have waited so long before
doing SO, and hence the assistance of our
poems Is unnecessary"
The capataz shook his head doubtfullv.
"Hum," he said, "the Indians are yery
clever. I believe 1t would be more pru-
dent to let the poems accompany u.s."
Nonsense" said his master, at Is un-
necessary; we are two resolute and we'll
armed men; we have nothing to fear, /
tell you."
They then entered the passage. It was
very narrow. and ran downward steep
Incline. The further they proceeded the
more distinct the sound Of water became |;