When I returned hither, the mine had been abandoned.
Here I have lived for years alone with my misery. Now I die. May
God forgive me.
JOSE RODRIGUEZ.
CHAPTER VI.
A FEARFUL EXPERIENCE.
"Well?" queried Donald when Strong had finished reading the
paper, "what are we going to do about it?"
"We are going to find out, if we can, whether Jose Rodriguez told
the truth, and if he did, whether any one else has tried to prove
it."
"What do you think of it, Pedro?" asked Billie, indicating the
opening at their feet.
"Exactly."
"Have you ever been down in it?" asked Adrian of Strong.
"No! I did not feel equal to the task and I was afraid to ask
help of any of these cutthroats."
"What do you think of it, Pedro?" asked Billie, turning to the
Mexican lad, who had made no comment whatever.
"It's an old tale," was the reply, "this story of the Rosario
viejo. I have heard it many times and I presume this shaft has
been explored by every prospector in this section. In my opinion
it is a huge hoax."
At Pedro's words, Strong's face became ashen.
"Are you telling the truth?" he asked hoarsely.
"Indeed I am. My father knows of several who have searched the
place and nothing has ever been found.
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