Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-12-08
tcOusEAEAA l0iS. IN Wiilsn Hamilton ossoEzsl

30 far, little one, and so long as the
god of chance joins with Hernandez,
Hernandez wins"
They travelled inland. The sun had
set, the moon was full For many min.
utes they had travelled through a clear.
ing, and suddenly before them, rough,
ragged and forbidding in the moon.
light, there loomed 2 ruined structure
built of stone.
''It's the fort" whispered Herman.
dez, "the MORO castle OF the Ilington
map"
In the far distance there was a red
glow against the sky and the dull,
faint clang of metal against metal.
I'VE are not alone" whispered Her.
nandeZ. Someone works the mines.
So much the better. We shall have
allies. Let us seek them now"
Inez sank down at his feet. leave
me alone-here," she whispered. "You
can find me easily. l can go no far
ther and l am afraid-afraid."
Already Hernandez had bounded
across the clearing, turned corner
of the crumbling ruin and was on his
way. Within the next few moments
he was standing on the edge OF what
seemed to be crater OF Volcano
a huge pit that seemed to belch forth
fire.
But it was not a volcano and it did
not belch forth fire. 1t was a CHINA.
bar mine-or a series of cinnabar
mines-pits cut into the surface of
the earth and illumined by brush fires,
Hernandez crouched upon the edge
of this huge man-made crater and
watched the scene with interest. In
each pit half a dozen men or more
worked away like ants, their shadows
flung against the walls in fantastic
shapes.
Hernandez drew a deep breath of
satisfaction.
This is the life" he said to him
self. These men are my men or
my name is not Hernandez"
He drew forth brace of pistols and
examined them carefully in the moon
light. Satisfied that they were in
working order, he rose and skirted
the edge of the crater, creeping
stealthily around behind the furnace.
Then, with remarkable agility, he
hurled himself as from the skies into
a circle of bright light, lifted up his
voice and called aloud.
In an instant he was surrounded by
a motley crew OF men-men strange,
weird-men whose faces were over.
grown with a rank, untrimmed crop
of hair and beard. They hailed his
advent with delight.
Out of this multitude huge individ-
ual pushed his way through to Her.
nandez and placed grimy hand upon
the latter's shoulder.
Whence come you?" he queried in
Spanish.
Hernandez answered him. 81 was
set adrift in small boat" he returned,
land came ashore here not knowing
where I was. Who, sir, are you, my
countryman?"
Twelve years ago." said the pirate
chief, I'VE were wrecked-ground to
pieces on this shore. And we found
what? Enough to eat? Yes. A place
to sleep-a place to live. But this
is God forsaken island, senior. Only
the mines have kept us from going
mad. We have worked for wealth
madly-hoping against hope"
What do you mine?" asked Her
nandez.
"Cinnabar," returned the chief.
Hernandez raised his eyebrows.
Quicksilver" he said. 1T should
make you rich"
The chief held up his arms. "Rich,"
he cried. "Senor, follow me-"
He called for torch and nodding
to Hernandez led the way to the edge
of nearby pit and down a ladder.
At the foot of the ladder he crawled
into an opening and babe Hernandez
follow. The opening was a cave-a
cave whose floor was covered with
huge earthen jars.
Quicksilver, senor," hissed the pi-
rate millions of pesetas worth
possibly a billion-who knows"
did you come alone, senor," he
asked. 'Is there any woman with
you?"
Hernandez shook his head, but q
terrific fear clutched his soul.
mo woman he returned. II am
alone"
The chief fell back, disappointed;
then he raised his voice to its normal
tones again. "All this, senor," he ex-
claimed, appealing to his companions,
"a kings treasure. We have carted 1t
for twelve long years. We would give
it all for women He thrust his face
into Hernandez. Il, senor, would give
it all for one"
CHAPTER Lxl.
Cutthroats.
! AS the keel of the Missouris launch
wr0fnH oOoirak ao@l