THE STORY OF A LOST MINE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 142, 17 June 1899, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE STORY OF A LOST MINE.

A bonanza for which men have searched in vain has a romantic history, if history it may be called for which no man can vouch the truth, even while he tells the tale as it was told to him. Near the close of the Civil War, at one of the cantonments in Arizona was stationed a young surgeon named Thorn. A couple of Apaches suffering from sore eyes came to him for treatment, and his success with the ailment was such that the chief of the tribe sent a proposition that he should visit their village, where at the time an epidemic of the same trouble was prevailing. Not only was he guaranteed safe conduct if he would go, but he was, moreover, promised all the gold that he could bring back with him by- way of recompense. Of an adventurous turn, the doctor was finally persuaded to accept the offer, and, obtaining a month's leave of absence, started out with his guides for their stronghold in the mountains. A little way from the fort, however, he was unpleasantly surprised by a demand that he should

PERMIT HIMSELF TO BE BLIND-

FOLDED,

so that of their route he could only tell that several times they crossed streams of running water, although at the same time suspecting that Indian cunning might only have led him across the same stream over .and over again. Arrived at the 'r ancheria' of the tribe, he found himself received with most friendly hospitality and ostensibly conceded every liberty, but at the same time it was quite clear to his mind that his safety in no small measure depended upon a reasonable showing of discretion on his own part. He made several cautious attempts to unearth the secret of the gold of which the tribe boasted such inexhaustible store, but without success; at the same time his treatment of the sick, and especially those suffering from the prevailing eye malady, had so won him the friendship of the tribe that he was repeatedly urged to remain with them, in which event he was promised . all that he could possibly desire of that same gold.

When at length he insisted upon returning to the post, however, no objection was made, while in token of especial favour the Indians even of- , fered to conduct him to their boasted mine, that he might gather up for himself as much gold as he could take away. But again he found that he must submit to have his eyes bound, while he was mounted upon" a led horse, and permitted only ..to know that for several hours he was convoyed over a country so rough that in many places he had much ado to keep his seat. When at last he was told to dismount and the bandage was taken from his eyes, he found himself in a deep, rock-walled canon, facing a high ledge of quartz allaglitter with flecks of gold. At the same time he saw that his companions were gathering up from the wash in which they stood ; * .•_'.'[ NUGGETS OP ALL SIZES, ,' of which there seemed an endless supply. On the instant, perceiving the marvellous richness of the mine, and with ' true pale-face method, wholly unhampered by any sense of obligation towards an Indian -host, the doctor's mind was filled with calculations, not as to how much of the treasure he might bear away, but bow he might compaes possession of the whole. Thinking to throw the Indians off their guard, he assumed an air of contempt, throwing away the nuggets that had been gathered for him, while he derisively declared that if this was their vaunted gold they . need give none to him, the stuff was worthless. It was his hope that be might so far deceive his guides that, . they would leave his eyes uncover^d> for the return trip, giving him the' opportunity to definitely locate the treasure; but the Apaches were not.to be fooled, knowing perfectly well the value of their treasure, which they. repeatedly urged upon him, elmphatn cally attesting its genuineness.

During the argument, as though unconsciouslj'-, Thorn had turned about, furtively looking for- landmarks, overjoyed to discover in the distance a high mountain crowned with a peculiar rock formation, like a gigantic thumb turned backward. Thej3un was behind the walls of the canon, so that he could not determine the points of the compass, but with this peculiar landmark engraven, on his mind he felt sure, he would be able, to find the place again. He refused to the last to talce any of the stuff, persisting in the attempt to make the Indians believe it of ng account, but without the hoped-fo,i; effect, for he was none the less blindfolded for the return trip to the 'rancheria,' as well as whep he was taken baek'tof the cantonment next day, But the doctor was, nevertheless, persuaded- that be could locate the treasure. Soon resigning from the service, he <?r-g_un* ised at his own expense an expedition to ;'. ' '>::-'.'

INVADE THE FASTNESSES : of the Apaches. He was, however, brought to confusion at the Ontsel by the discovery that there were in the territory no less than four mountain peaks crowned by mek foyma* tions similar to the one he had depended upoji for a guide; ahd, although he succeeded in exploring the region around each, it wa# t(? $mt nothing. Later a sef-ond expedition was organised, and after that yet" another, both nt the e^pepse of credulous friends, in each instance fo 'prove as fruitless as the first. Thorn, now broken in health and fortune, came to be roundly abused a§ an impostor although to the last fee lfljuht&iped that his story was true ip every particular; while even tg this day eld miners may be found in Arizona who declare their faith that some time the famous 'Doc Thorn Mine' will be rediijeoFei'ed.-^'LippincQtt's Hagasdne.'