MONTEZUMA'S MINES

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 272, 14 November 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

MONTEZUMA'S MINES

(By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.)'

CHAPTER XXXI.

BOOTS AND SADDLES,

Meanwhile night had closed hi

It occurred to Bob that he had of late, seen strange and varied experiences between the hours of sunset and sunrise— inreed, in some respects the famous old Arabian Nights' Entertainment might fade into utter insignificance beside his stirring adventures.

And there were more to follow

No doubt the period of darkness that was even now closing would be fraught with peril and excitement, so far as,his individual fortunes were concerned.

As they began to slow up while approaching Valdosta there arose a great stir in the train. It was like a hive of bees aroused by the thrust of s, pole.

Men scrambled for their arms and shouted strange exclamations as they wrangled.

I Doubtless the peaceful pilgrims aboard I this north-bound train would be well pleased and breathe a great sigh of relief when the rough crowd had been left behind at Valdosta. Of course, they supposed this must be the nucleus of a new revolution. Such tilings have become so commonplace in Mexico that their appearance on the stage at any time does not create more than a ripple of. excitement. Finally came the stop. The station was lighted up with lamps and a lot of blazing flambeaux, that smoked and flamed in the fitful manner of pine knots in general. Taken in all, it was a rather startling picture when the cars began to vomit forth groups of heavily armed men, some of whom were attired in the striking Mexican costume. . Shouts echoed along the line, and confusion for the time being reigned. Bob saw with keen pleasure that Bludsoe led his little contmgent quietly from the car, and marshalled them at the farthest end of the platform. They were quiet and orderly—when the time for action came, doubtless these rustlers from the Texan cattle ranches could out-shout the Mexicans, two to one, but that time was not now. Doubtless Senor Jose and his Teuton friend had had their suspicions aroused ere now concerning the presence of the armed Americans on board the train. There could no longer be any doubt as to their intentions. Ugly looks were cast in their direction by the Mexicans, who appeared in a humour to create trouble, only their number was hardly great enough to make them confident of success. Bastian had his hands full. As soon as his feet touched the platform he made a bee line for the small buildbig which served as a station. In the doorway stood a man. "Where will I find Jean Baptiste?" he asked, at the same time the reply that came. "That is myself, Monsieur Bastian," Bob thrust out his hand. The Frenchman, with whom he had corresponded' by wire, was then no myth. Score one for good luck. Moreover, he liked the man's looks — Jean had the appearance of a nervy little chap—indeed, his presence in Mexico, where his compatriots have never been in good favour .since Maximilian endeavoured at the price of blood to usurp the tlirone and make Mexico an enrrajjb, was sufficient to prove this. "What luck, comrade?" asked Bob, eagerly, for much, aye, everything, depended upon the success or failure of Baptiste in securing mounts for the rangers. "It is well," came the calm reply. "The horses?" "Are all ready, near by." Bob felt like shouting. After all, the weak link in his chain had not failed him.

Might not this be an augury for sue cess along the whole line?

His spirits sank again as he remembered with bitterness that victory for him meant defeat for Nina.

That was a miserable fact that must arise at frequent intervals to annoy him, but as he had marked out his course he could not draw back his hand from the plough.

"Time is precious, my friend. Yonder are my brave boys. Come, lead us to the horses, for the sooner we are away the better; and, Jean, every promise made by wire last night shall be kept to the letter. You have faith in me to believe that?"

The little Frenchman a derelict, stranded in this mountain town by a freak of fate, had surveyed Bob keen-

iyAccustomed to reading men at a glance, he was ready to stake everything on the frank faced American whose honest eyes met his with fearlessness.

"Always, monsieur. One word to the agent here and I am free." "Ah yes I owe him something for putting me in touch with you. Give him my respects. When we come back this wav you and I will remember him, Jean."

His words as well as his manner indicated that he had not the least doubt of their living to carry out this pledge.

While Jean was seeking the almost distracted agent, who was endeavouring to extract order out of chaos on the platform, Bob again cast his eyes' around.

This time it was not the desperadoes who aroused his interest although they seemed objects of close attention on the part of Squire Kip always on the lookout for such remarkable characters.

Bob sought the group where _*Tina stood with her uncle and Mynheer Jan Van Twiller,

The thought of her being among such a coarse, lawless throng of hirelings was quite enough to give Bob the keenest pain.

A despondent sensation crept over him—he felt as though some outrageous fortune had him in a grasp of iron and was hurling him on to dark doom.

In victory or defeat there was bitterness awaiting him.

Really, he had anything but an enviable position, being thus thrown between the devil and the deep sea.

And Lola Lopez, could she have gone on with the train?

It was a brief hope, that died with his next look around.

She was there, this bold woman who dared everything because of the passion she entertained for the young American.

Doubtless, she had friends among the desperadoes, men who were ready to do and dare much for her sake and who at the same time entertained much wholesome respect for the heroine of the bull-ring, who knew so well how to handle weapons.

Their presence among those upon whose valour Nina was to depend gave Bob great uneasiness.

He dared not seek the presence of the girl again, but, seized with an idea, scribbled a few lines on a sheet from his note book and sent it to Nina by an Indian lad. Watching closely he saw her read what he had written and then tear the paper into fragments without looking toward him. It was not done with any show of petulance or anger, and he had reason to hope his warning might bear fruit.

Lopez had seen it all, and he could even detect the the smile upon her face that told of sarcasm.

Whatever dark plan the Spanish woman had in view she did not fear its defeat through this channel. Little did he think how Providence was shaping their ends, and ordering, things so as to bring about a fitting climax. Influences of whose presence he 'knew nothing were working to accomplish wonderful results that must arouse astonishment and awe. The very elements that just now seemed to count against his fortunes might under the magical spell of the enchanter be made to further the desired end. Jean came back, rubbing his hands. The train was just pulling out, and numerous heads thrust from various windows attested to the interest of the remaining passengers in the remarkable scene on the platform. Still the desperadoes fumed and shouted as they gathered their traps together. Some men can never accomplish anything without a tremendous display of bluster, just as shallow streams go brawling noisily along their course. "Come, monsieurs, to horse!" said Jean. The cowboys showed immediate signs of happiness—dismounted, they had felt lost, and given a steed between their knees they would be like new men. "Who is that talking to Spnor Jose?" demanded Bob, indicating a rough-ap-pearing Mexican, who had the air of a mountaineer. "It is Pedro, the guide, Pedro, who knows these regions like a book, and who is to lead them to the mines, monsieur." "And can you hope to equal him, Jean?" "Parbleau! I can try." Bob liked his way. He believed they would get on famously together, and that as a guide Jean might prove a bonanza. Now for the horses! As the little party left the platform a few coarse remarks were bawled after them by the Mexicans, flushed, perhaps, with too much aquardiente, or mescal liquor, but none answered back. It was no time to bandy words. - Later on they would have a reply that would mean business—a response in the sharp crack of Winchesters and the hoarser bark, it might be, of revolvers. Jean had well performed his duty. The horses were as fair steeds as could be picked up in this country. He had spent the better part of the day in securing them, and more than once outbid the agent of Senor Jose who was bent upon the same errand. For once horseflesh was stupendously in value in Valdosta, and many honest citizens there were who had reaped a harvest of shekels in consequence of the sudden bull movement in equine stock.

Each man seized upon his mount There was no choice —time Avould not allow it, and they were compelled to depend upon luck. Still, these men, who almost live in the saddle, can accomplish wonders, and get more out of an ordinary steed than almost any class on earth save Cossacks and Arabs. * So they swung a leg over and awaited the order t*> push forward, heedless alike of desrination or the dark perils by the way. Surely, their equal would be hard to find. " , . , And Bob, with one last look toward the spot where Nina stood under the flaming pine torches, gave the word that sent them forward.

(To be Continued on Monday.)