UDOBRACHVOGEL，Esq。，Whoseclevertranslationsofmywritingshavehelpedtointroducemetothefavorofhiscountrymen，bothhereandinGermany，thislittlevolumeisheartilydedicated。
BRETHARTE。
NewYork，December，1877。
THESTORYOFAMINE
CHAPTERI
WHOSOUGHTIT
ItwasasteeptrailleadingovertheMontereyCoastRange。Conchowasverytired，Conchowasverydusty，Conchowasverymuchdisgusted。ToConcho’smindtherewasbutonerelieffortheseinsurmountabledifficulties，andthatlayinaleathernbottleslungoverthemachillasofhissaddle。Conchoraisedthebottletohislips，tookalongdraught，madeawryface，andejaculated：
"Carajo！"
Itappearedthatthebottledidnotcontainaguardiente，buthadlatelybeenfilledinatavernnearTresPinosbyanIrishmanwhosoldhadAmericanwhiskyunderthatpleasingCastiliantitle。
NeverthelessConchohadalreadynearlyemptiedthebottle，anditfellbackagainstthesaddleasyellowandflaccidashisowncheeks。ThusreinforcedConchoturnedtolookatthevalleybehindhim，fromwhichhehadclimbedsincenoon。Itwasasterilewasteborderedhereandtherebyarablefringesandvaldasofmeadowland，butinthemain，dusty，dry，andforbidding。Hiseyerestedforamomentonalowwhitecloudlineontheeasternhorizon，butsomockingandunsubstantialthatitseemedtocomeandgoashegazed。Conchostruckhisforeheadandwinkedhishoteyelids。WasittheSierrasorthecursedAmericanwhisky？
Againherecommencedtheascent。Attimesthehalf-worn，half-
visibletrailbecameutterlylostinthebareblackoutcropoftheridge，buthissagaciousmulesoonfounditagain，until，steppinguponalooseboulder，sheslippedandfell。InvainConchotriedtoliftherfromouttheruinofcampkettles，prospectingpans，andpicks;sheremainedquietlyrecumbent，occasionallyraisingherheadasiftocontemplativelyglanceoverthearidplainbelow。
Thenhehadrecoursetouselessblows。Thenheessayedprofanityofasecularkind，suchas"Assassin，""Thief，""Beastwithapig’shead，""FoodfortheBull’sHorns，"butwithnoeffect。
Thenhehadrecoursetothecurseecclesiastic：
"Ah，JudasIscariot！isitthus，renegadeandtraitor，thouleavestme，thymaster，aleaguefromcampandsupperwaiting？StealeroftheSacrament，getup！"
Stillnoeffect。Conchobegantofeeluneasy;neverbeforehadamuleofpiouslineagefailedtorespondtothiskindofexhortation。
Hemadeonemoredesperateattempt：
"Ah，defilerofthealtar！lienotthere！Look！"hethrewhishandintotheair，extendingthefingerssuddenly。"Behold，fiend！I
exorcisethee！Ha！tremblest！Lookbutalittlenow，——see！
Apostate！I——I——excommunicatethee，——Mula！"
"Whatareyoukickingupsuchadevilofrowdowntherefor？"saidagruffvoicefromtherocksabove。
Conchoshuddered。Coulditbethatthedevilwasreallygoingtoflyawaywithhismule？Hedarednotlookup。
"Comenow，"continuedthevoice，"youjustletuponthatmule，youd————doldGreaser。Don’tyouseeshe’sslippedhershoulder？"
AlarmedasConchowasattheinformation，hecouldnothelpfeelingtoacertainextentrelieved。Shewaslamed，buthadnotlostherstandingasagoodCatholic。
Heventuredtolifthiseyes。Astranger——anAmericanofromhisdressandaccent——wasdescendingtherockstowardhim。Hewasaslight-builtmanwithadark，smoothface，thatwouldhavebeenquitecommonplaceandinexpressivebutforhislefteye，inwhichallthatwasvillainousinhimapparentlycentered。Shutthateye，andyouhadthefeaturesandexpressionofanordinaryman;coverupthosefeatures，andtheeyeshoneoutlikeEblis’sown。Naturehadapparentlyobservedthistoo，andhad，byaparalysisofthenerve，ironicallydroppedthecorneroftheupperlidoveritlikeacurtain，laughedatherhandiwork，andturnedhimloosetopreyuponacredulousworld。
"Whatareyoudoinghere？"saidthestrangerafterhehadassistedConchoinbringingthemuletoherfeet，andahelplesshalt。
"Prospecting，Senor。"
ThestrangerturnedhisrespectablerighteyetowardConcho，whilehisleftlookedunutterablescornandwickednessoverthelandscape。
"Prospecting，whatfor？"
"Goldandsilver，Senor，——yetforsilvermost。"
"Alone？"
"Ofustherearefour。"
Thestrangerlookedaround。
"Incamp，——aleaguebeyond，"explainedtheMexican。
"Foundanything？"
"Ofthis——much。"Conchotookfromhissaddlebagsalumpofgreyishironore，studdedhereandtherewithstarpointsofpyrites。Thestrangersaidnothing，buthiseyelookedadiabolicalsuggestion。
"Youarelucky，friendGreaser。"
"Eh？"
"ItISsilver。"
"Howknowyouthis？"
"Itismybusiness。I’mametallurgist。"
"Andyoucansaywhatshallbesilverandwhatisnot。"
"Yes，——seehere！"Thestrangertookfromhissaddlebagsalittleleathercasecontainingsomehalfdozenphials。One，enwrappedindark-bluepaper，hehelduptoConcho。
"Thiscontainsapreparationofsilver。"
Concho’seyessparkled，buthelookeddoubtinglyatthestranger。
"Getmesomewaterinyourpan。"
Conchoemptiedhiswaterbottleinhisprospectingpanandhandedittothestranger。Hedippedadriedbladeofgrassinthebottleandthenletadropfallfromitstipinthewater。Thewaterremainedunchanged。
"Nowthrowalittlesaltinthewater，"saidthestranger。
Conchodidso。Instantlyawhitefilmappearedonthesurface，andpresentlythewholemassassumedamilkyhue。
Conchocrossedhimselfhastily，"MotherofGod，itismagic！"
"Itischlorideofsilver，youdarnedfool。"
Notcontentwiththischeapexperiment，thestrangerthentookConcho’sbreathawaybyreddeningsomelitmuspaperwiththenitrate，andthencompletelyknockedoverthesimpleMexicanbyrestoringitscolorbydippingitinthesaltwater。
"Youshalltrymethis，"saidConcho，offeringhisironoretothestranger;——"youshallusethesilverandthesalt。"
"Notsofastmyfriend，"answeredthestranger;"inthefirstplacethisoremustbemelted，andthenachiptakenandputinshapelikethis，——andthatisworthsomething，myGreasercherub。No，sir，amandon’tspendallhisyouthatFreiburgandHeidelburgtothrowawayhissciencegratuitouslyonthefirstGreaserhemeets。"
"Itwillcost——eh——howmuch？"saidtheMexicaneagerly。
"Well，Ishouldsayitwouldtakeaboutahundreddollarsandexpensesto——to——findsilverinthatore。Butonceyou’vegotitthere——you’reallrightfortonsofit。"
"Youshallhaveit，"saidthenowexcitedMexican。"Youshallhaveitofus，——thefour！Youshallcometoourcampandshallmeltit，——andshowthesilver，and——enough！Come！"andinhisfeverishnessheclutchedthehandofhiscompanionasiftoleadhimforthatonce。
"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourmule？"saidthestranger。
"True，HolyMother，——what，indeed？"
"Lookyer，"saidthestranger，withagrimsmile，"shewon’tstrayfar，I’llbebound。I’veanextrapackmuleabovehere;youcanrideonher，andleadmeintocamp，andto-morrowcomebackforyourbeast。"
PoorhonestConcho’sheartsickenedattheprospectofleavingbehindthetiredservanthehadobjurgatedsostronglyamomentbefore，buttheloveofgoldwasuppermost。"Iwillcomebacktothee，littleone，to-morrow，arichman。Meanwhile，waitthouhere，patientone，——Adios！——thousmallestofmules，——Adios！"
And，seizingthestranger’shand，heclambereduptherockyledgeuntiltheyreachedthesummit。Thenthestrangerturnedandgaveonesweepofhismalevolenteyeoverthevalley。
Wherefore，inafteryears，whentheirstorywasrelated，withthedevotionoftrueCatholicpioneers，theynamedthemountain"LaCanadadelaVisitaciondelDiablo，""TheGulchoftheVisitationoftheDevil，"thesamebeingnowtheboundarylinesofoneofthefamousMexicanlandgrants。
CHAPTERII
WHOFOUNDIT
Conchowassoimpatienttoreachthecampanddeliverhisgoodnewstohiscompanionsthatmorethanoncethestrangerwasobligedtocommandhimtoslackenhispace。"Isitnotenough，youinfernalGreaser，thatyoulameyourownmule，butyoumusttryyourhandonmine？OramItoputJinnydownamongtheexpenses？"headdedwithagrinandaslightliftingofhisbalefuleyelid。
Whentheyhadriddenamilealongtheridge，theybegantodescendagaintowardthevalley。Vegetationnowsparinglyborderedthetrail，clumpsofchemisal，anoccasionalmanzanitabush，andoneortwodwarfed"buckeyes"rootedtheirwaybetweentheintersticesoftheblack-grayrock。Nowandthen，incrossingsomedrygully，wornbytheoverflowofwintertorrentsfromabove，thegrayishrockgloomwasrelievedbydullredandbrownmassesofcolor，andalmosteveryoverhangingrockborethemarkofaminer’spick。
Presently，astheyroundedthecurvingflankofthemountain，fromarockybenchbelowthem，athinghost-likestreamofsmokeseemedtobesteadilydrawnbyinvisiblehandsintotheinvisibleether。
"Itisthecamp，"saidConcho，gleefully;"Iwillmyselfforwardtopreparethemforthestranger，"andbeforehiscompanioncoulddetainhim，hehaddisappearedatasharpcanteraroundthecurveofthetrail。
Lefttohimself，thestrangertookamoreleisurelypace，whichlefthimampletimeforreflection。Scampashewas，therewassomethinginthesimplecredulityofpoorConchothatmadehimuneasy。Notthathismoralconsciousnesswastouched，buthefearedthatConcho’scompanionsmight，knowingConcho’ssimplicity，instantlysuspecthimoftradinguponit。Herodeoninadeepstudy。Washereviewinghispastlife？Avagabondbybirthandeducation，aswindlerbyprofession，anoutcastbyreputation，withoutabsolutelyturninghisbackuponrespectability，hehadtrembledontheperilousedgeofcriminalityeversincehisboyhood。HedidnotscrupletocheattheseMexicans，——theywereadegradedrace，——andforamomenthefeltalmostanaccreditedagentofprogressandcivilization。Weneverreallyunderstandthemeaningofenlightenmentuntilwebegintouseitaggressively。
Afewpacesfurtheronfourfiguresappearedinthenowgatheringdarknessofthetrail。ThestrangerquicklyrecognizedthebeamingsmileofConcho，foremostoftheparty。AquickglanceatthefacesoftheotherssatisfiedhimthatwhiletheylackedConcho’sgoodhumor，theycertainlydidnotsurpasshiminintellect。
"Pedro"wasastoutvaquero。"Manuel"wasaslimhalf-breedandex-convertoftheMissionofSanCarmel，and"Miguel"arecentbutcherofMonterey。UnderthebenigninfluencesofConchothatsuspicionwithwhichtheignorantregardstrangersdiedaway，andthewholepartyescortedthestranger——whohadgivenhisnameasMr。JosephWiles——totheircamp-fire。Soanxiousweretheytobegintheirexperimentsthateventheinstinctsofhospitalitywereforgotten，anditwasnotuntilMr。Wiles——nowknownas"DonJose"——
sharplyremindedthemthathewantedsome"grub，"thattheycametotheirsenses。Whenthefrugalmealoftortillas，frijoles，saltpork，andchocolatewasover，anovenwasbuiltofthedark-redrockbroughtfromtheledgebeforethem，andanearthenwarejar，glazedbysomepeculiarlocalprocess，tightlyfittedoverit，andpackedwithclayandsods。Afirewasspeedilybuiltofpineboughscontinuallybroughtfromawoodedravinebelow，andinafewmomentsthefurnacewasinfullblast。Mr。Wilesdidnotparticipateintheseactivepreparations，excepttogiveoccasionaldirectionsbetweenhisteeth，whichwerecontemplativelyfixedoveraclaypipeashelaycomfortablyonhisbackontheground。Whateverenjoymenttherascalmayhavehadintheiruselesslaborshedidnotshowit，butitwasobservedthathislefteyeoftenfollowedthebroadfigureoftheex-vaquero，Pedro，andoftendweltonthatworthy’sbeetlingbrowsandhalf-savageface。Meetingthatbalefulglanceonce，Pedrogrowledoutanoath，butcouldnotresistahideousfascinationthatcausedhimagainandagaintoseekit。
ThescenewasweirdenoughwithoutWiles’seyetoaddtoitswildpicturesqueness。Themountaintoweredabove，——aheavyRembrandtishmassofblackshadow，——sharplycuthereandthereagainstaskysoinconceivablyremotethattheworld-sicksoulmusthavedespairedofeverreachingsofar，orofclimbingitssteel-bluewalls。Thestarswerelarge，keen，andbrilliant，butcoldandsteadfast。
Theydidnotdancenortwinkleintheiradamantinesetting。ThefurnacefirepaintedthefacesofthemenanIndianred，glancedonbrightlycoloredblanketandserape，butwaseventuallycaughtandabsorbedinthewaitingshadowsoftheblackmountain，scarcelytwentyfeetfromthefurnacedoor。Thelow，half-sung，half-
whisperedforeignspeechofthegroup，theroaringofthefurnace，andthequick，sharpyelpofacoyoteontheplainbelowweretheonlysoundsthatbroketheawfulsilenceofthehills。
Itwasalmostdawnwhenitwasannouncedthattheorehadfused。
Anditwashightime，forthepotwasslowlysinkingintothefast-
crumblingoven。Conchoutteredajubilant"GodandLiberty，"butDonJoseWilesbadehimbesilentandbringstakestosupportthepot。ThenDonJosebentovertheseethingmass。Itwasforamomentonly。Butinthatmomentthisaccomplishedmetallurgist，Mr。JosephWiles，hadquietlydroppedasilverhalfdollarintothepot！
Thenhechargedthemtokeepupthefiresandwenttosleep——allbutoneeye。
Dawncamewithdullbeaconfiresonthenearhilltops，and，farintheEast，rosesovertheSierransnow。Birdstwitteringinthealderfringesamilebelow，andthecreakingofwagonwheels，——thewagonitselfamerecloudofdustinthedistantroad，——werehearddistinctly。ThenthemeltingpotwassolemnlybrokenbyDonJose，andtheglowingincandescentmassturnedintotheroadtocool。
Andthenthemetallurgistchippedasmallfragmentfromthemassandpoundedit，andchippedanothersmallerpieceandpoundedthat，andthensubjectedittoacid，andthentreatedittoasaltbathwhichbecameatoncemilky，——andatlastproducedawhitesomething，——mirabiledictu！——twocents’worthofsilver！
Conchoshoutedwithjoy;therestgazedateachotherdoubtinglyanddistrustfully;companionsinpoverty，theybegantodivergeandsuspecteachotherinprosperity。Wiles’slefteyeglancedironicallyfromtheonetotheother。
"Hereisthehundreddollars，DonJose，"saidPedro，handingthegoldtoWileswithadecidedlybrusqueintimationthattheservicesandpresenceofastrangerwerenolongerrequired。
WilestookthemoneywithagracioussmileandawinkthatsentPedro’sheartintohisboots，andwasturningaway，whenacryfromManuelstoppedhim。"Thepot，——thepot，——ithasleaked！look！
behold！see！"
Hehadbeencleaningawaythecrumbledfragmentsofthefurnacetogetreadyforbreakfast，andhaddisclosedashiningpoolofQUICKSILVER！
Wilesstarted，castarapidglancearoundthegroup，sawinaflashthatthemetalwasunknowntothem，——andthensaidquietly：
"Itisnotsilver。"
"Pardon，Senor，itis，andstillmolten。"Wilesstoopedandranhisfingersthroughtheshiningmetal。
"MotherofGod，——whatisitthen？——magic？"
"No，onlybasemetal。"Buthere，Concho，emboldenedbyWiles’sexperiment，attemptedtoseizeahandfuloftheglisteningmass，thatinstantlybrokethroughhisfingersinathousandtinyspherules，andevensentafewglobulesuphisshirtsleeves，untilhedancedaroundinmingledfearandchildishpleasure。
"Anditisnotworththetaking？"queriedPedroofWiles。
Wiles’srighteyeandblandfacewereturnedtowardthespeaker，buthismalevolentleftwasglancingatthedullred-brownrockonthehillside。
"No！"——andturningabruptlyaway，heproceededtosaddlehismule。
Manuel，Miguel，andPedro，lefttothemselves，begantalkingearnestlytogether，whileConcho，nowmindfulofhiscrippledmule，madehiswaybacktothetrailwherehehadlefther。Butshewasnolongerthere。Constanttohermasterthroughbeatingsandbullyings，shecouldnotstandincivilityandinattention。Therearecertainqualitiesofthesexthatbelongtoallanimatednature。
Inconsolable，footsore，andremorseful，Conchoreturnedtothecampandfurnace，threemilesacrosstherockyridge。Butwhatwashisastonishmentonarrivingtofindtheplacedesertedofman，mule，andcampequipage。Conchocalledaloud。Onlytheechoingrocksgrimlyansweredhim。Wasitatrick？Conchotriedtolaugh。Ah——
yes——agoodone，——ajoke，——no——no——theyHADdesertedhim。AndthenpoorConchobowedhisheadtotheground，andfallingonhisface，criedasifhishonestheartwouldbreak。
Thetempestpassedinamoment;itwasnotConcho’snaturetosufferlongnorbroodoveraninjury。Asheraisedhisheadagainhiseyecaughttheshimmerofthequicksilver，——thatpoolofmerryanticmetalthathadsodelightedhimanhourbefore。InafewmomentsConchowasagaindisportingwithit;chasingithereandthere，rollingitinhispalmsandlaughingwithboy-likegleeatitselusivefreaksandfancies。"Ah，sprightlyone，——skipjack，——
therethougoest，——comehere。Thisway，——nowIhavethee，littleone，——come，muchacha，——comeandkissme，"untilhehadquiteforgottenthedefectionofhiscompanions。Andevenwhenheshoulderedhissorrypack，hewasfaintocarryhisplaymateawaywithhiminhisemptyleathernflask。
AndyetIfancythesunlookedkindlyonhimashestrodecheerilydowntheblackmountainside，andhisstepwasnonethelessfreenorlightthathecarriedwithhimneitherthebrilliantprospectsnorthecrimeofhislatecomrades。
CHAPTERIII
WHOCLAIMEDIT
ThefoghadalreadyclosedinonMonterey，andwasnowrolling，awhite，billowyseaabove，thatsoonshutoutthebluebreakersbelow。OnceortwiceindescendingthemountainConchohadoverhungthecliffandlookeddownuponthecurvinghorse-shoeofabaybelowhim，——distantyetmanymiles。Earlierintheafternoonhehadseenthegiltcrossonthewhite-facedMissionflareinthesunlight，butnowallwasgone。Bythetimehereachedthehighwayofthetownitwasquitedark，andheplungedintothefirstfondaatthewayside，andendeavoredtoforgethiswoesandhiswearinessinaguardiente。ButConcho’sheadached，andhisbackached，andhewassogenerallydistressedthathebethoughthimofamedico，——
anAmericandoctor，——latelycomeintothetown，whohadoncetreatedConchoandhismulewithapparentlythesamemedicine，andafterthesameheroicfashion。Conchoreasoned，notillogically，thatifheweretobephysickedatallheoughttogettheworthofhismoney。Thegrotesqueextravaganceoflife，offruitandvegetables，inCaliforniawasinconsistentwithinfinitesimaldoses。InConcho’spreviousillnessthedoctorhadgivenhimadozen4grainquininepowders。
ThefollowingdaythegratefulMexicanwalkedintotheDoctor’soffice——cured。TheDoctorwasgratifieduntil，onexamination，itappearedthattosavetrouble，andbecausehismemorywaspoor，Conchohadtakenallthepowdersinonedose。TheDoctorshruggedhisshouldersand——alteredhispractice。
"Well，"saidDr。Guild，asConchosankdownexhaustedlyinoneoftheDoctor’stwochairs，"whatnow？Haveyoubeensleepingagaininthetulemarshes，orareyouupsetwithcommissarywhisky？
Come，haveitout。"
ButConchodeclaredthatthedevilwasinhisstomach，thatJudasIscariothadpossessedhimselfofhisspine，thatimpswereinhisforehead，andthathisfeethadbeenscourgedbyPontiusPilate。
"Thatmeans’bluemass，’"saidtheDoctor。Andgaveittohim，——abolusaslargeasamusketball，andasheavy。
Conchotookitonthespot，andturnedtogo。
"Ihavenomoney，SenorMedico。"
"Nevermind。It’sonlyadollar，thepriceofthemedicine。"
Concholookedguiltyathavinggulpeddownsomuchcash。Thenhesaidtimidly：
"Ihavenomoney，butIhavegotherewhatisfineandjolly。Itisyours。"Andhehandedoverthecontentsoftheprecioustincanhehadbroughtwithhim。
TbeDoctortookit，lookedattheshiveringvolatilemassandsaid，"Whythisisquicksilver！"
Concholaughed，"Yes，veryquicksilver，so！"andhesnappedhisfingerstoshowitssprightliness。
TheDoctor’sfacegrewearnest;"Wheredidyougetthis，Concho？"
hefinallyasked。
"Itranfromthepotinthemountainsbeyond。"
TheDoctorlookedincredulous。ThenConchorelatedthewholestory。
"Couldyoufindthatspotagain？"
"MadredeDios，yes，——Ihaveamulethere;maythedevilflyawaywithher！"
"Andyousayyourcomradessawthis？"
"Whynot？"
"Andyousaytheyafterwardsleftyou，——desertedyou？"
"Theydid，ingrates！"
TheDoctoraroseandshuthisofficedoor。"Harkye，Concho，"hesaid，"thatbitofmedicineIgaveyoujustnowwasworthadollar，itwasworthadollarbecausethematerialofwhichitwascomposedwasmadefromthestuffyouhaveinthatcan，——quicksilverormercury。Itisoneofthemostvaluableofmetals，especiallyinagold-miningcountry。Mygoodfellow，ifyouknowwheretofindenoughofit，yourfortuneismade。"
Conchorosetohisfeet。
"Tellme，wastherockyoubuiltyourfurnaceofred？"
"Si，Senor。"
"Andbrown？"
"Si，Senor。"
"Andcrumbledundertheheat？"
"Astonothing。"
"Anddidyouseemuchofthisredrock？"
"Themountainmotherisintravailwithit。"
"Areyousurethatyourcomradeshavenottakenpossessionofthemountainmother？"
"Ashow？"
"Byclaimingitsdiscoveryunderthemininglaws，orbypre-emption？"
"Theyshallnot。"
"Buthowwillyou，single-handed，fightthefour;forIdoubtnotyourscientificfriendhasahandinit？"
"Iwillfight。"
"Yes，myConcho，butsupposeItakethefightoffyourhands。Now，here’saproposition：IwillgethalfadozenAmericanostogoinwithyou。Youwillhavetogetmoneytoworkthemine，——youwillneedfunds。Youshallsharehalfwiththem。Theywilltaketherisk，raisethemoney，andprotectyou。"
"Isee，"saidConcho，noddinghisheadandwinkinghiseyesrapidly。"Bueno！"
"Iwillreturnintenminutes，"saidtheDoctor，takinghishat。
Hewasasgoodashisword。Intenminuteshereturnedwithsixoriginallocaters，aboardofdirectors，apresident，secretary，andadeedofincorporationofthe’BlueMassQuicksilverMiningCo。’ThislatterwasadelicatecomplimenttotheDoctor，whowaspopular。ThePresidentaddedtothesenecessaryarticlesarevolver。
"Takeit，"hesaid，handingovertheweapontoConcho。"Takeit;
myhorseisoutside;takethat，ridelikeh——landhangontotheclaimuntilwecome！"
InanothermomentConchowasinthesaddle。Thentheminingdirectorlapsedintothephysician。
"Ihardlyknow，"saidDr。Guild，doubtfully，"ifinyourpresentconditionyououghttotravel。Youhavejusttakenapowerfulmedicine，"andtheDoctorlookedhypocriticallyconcerned。
"Ah，——thedevil！"laughedConcho，"whatisthequicksilverthatisINtothatwhichisOUT？Hoopa，laMula！"and，withaclatterofhoofsandjingleofspurs，waspresentlylostinthedarkness。
"Youwerenonetoosoon，gentlemen，"saidtheAmericanAlcalde，ashedrewupbeforetheDoctor’sdoor。"Anothercompanyhasjustbeenincorporatedforthesamelocation，Ireckon。"
"Whoarethey？"
"ThreeMexicans，——Pedro，Manuel，andMiguel，headedbythatd————dcock-eyedSydneyDuck，Wiles。"
"Aretheyhere？"
"ManuelandMiguel，only。TheothersareoveratTresPinoslally-
gagingRoscommonandtryingtoropehimintopayofftheirwhiskybillsathisgrocery。"
"Ifthat’ssoweneedn’tstartbeforesunrise，forthey’resuretogetroaringdrunk。"
AndthislegitimatesuccessorofthegraveMexicanAlcaldes，havingthusdeliveredhisimpartialopinion，rodeaway。
Meanwhile，Conchotheredoubtable，Conchothefortunate，sparedneitherriatanorspur。Thewaywasdark，thetrailobscureandattimesevendangerous，andConcho，familiarashewaswiththesemountainfastnesses，oftenregrettedhissure-footedFrancisquita。
"Carenot，OConcho，"hewouldsaytohimself，"’tisbutalittlewhile，onlyalittlewhile，andthoushalthaveanotherFrancisquitatoblessthee。Eh，skipjack，therewasafinemusictothydancing。
Adollarforanounce，——’tisasgoodassilver，andmerrier。"Yetforallhisgoodspiritshekeptasharplookoutatcertainbendsofthemountaintrail;notforassassinsorbrigands，forConchowasphysicallycourageous，butfortheEvilOne，who，invariousforms，wassaidtolurkintheSantaCruzRange，tothegreatdiscomfortofalltrueCatholics。HerecalledtheincidentofIgnacio，amuleteeroftheFranciscanFriars，who，stoppingattheAngelustorepeattheCredo，sawLuzbelplainlyinthelikenessofamonstrousgrizzlybear，mockinghimbysittingonhishaunchesandliftinghispaws，claspedtogether，asifinprayer。Nevertheless，withonehandgraspinghisreinsandhisrosary，andtheotherclutchinghiswhiskyflaskandrevolver，hefaredonsorapidlythathereachedthesummitastheearlierstreaksofdawnwereoutliningthefar-offSierranpeaks。Tetheringhishorseonastripoftableland，hedescendedcautiouslyafootuntilhereachedthebench，thewallofredrockandthecrumbledanddismantledfurnace。Itwasashehadleftitthatmorning;therewasnotraceofrecenthumanvisitation。
Revolverinhand，Conchoexaminedeverycave，gully，andrecess，peeredbehindtrees，penetratedcopsesofbuckeyeandmanzanita，andlistened。Therewasnosoundbutthefaintsoughingofthewindoverthepinesbelowhim。Forawhilehepacedbackwardandforwardwithavaguesenseofbeingasentinel，buthismercurialnaturesoonrebelledagainstthismonotony，andsoonthefatiguesofthedaybegantotelluponhim。Recoursetohiswhiskyflaskonlymadehimthedrowsier，untilatlasthewasfaintoliedownandrollhimselfuptightlyinhisblanket。Thenextmomenthewassoundasleep。
Hishorseneighedtwicefromthesummit，butConchoheardhimnot。
Thenthebrushcrackledontheledgeabovehim，asmallfragmentofrockrollednearhisfeet，buthestirrednot。Andthentwoblackfigureswereoutlinedonthecragsbeyond。
"St-t-t！"whisperedavoice。"Thereisonelyingbesidethefurnace。"ThespeechwasSpanish，butthevoicewasWiles’s。
Theotherfigurecreptcautiouslytotheedgeofthecragandlookedover。"ItisConcho，theimbecile，"saidPedro，contemptuously。
"Butifheshouldnotbealone，orifheshouldwaken？"
"Iwillwatchandwait。Goyouandaffixthenotification。"
Wilesdisappeared。Pedrobegantocreepdownthefaceoftherockyledge，supportinghimselfbychemisalandbrush-wood。
ThenextmomentPedrostoodbesidetheunconsciousman。Thenhelookedcautiouslyaround。Thefigureofhiscompanionwaslostintheshadowoftherocksabove;onlyaslightcrackleofbrushbetrayedhiswhereabouts。SuddenlyPedroflunghisserapeoverthesleeper’shead，andthenthrewhispowerfulframeandtremendousweightfulluponConcho’supturnedface，whilehisstrongarmsclaspedtheblanket-pinionedlimbsofhisvictim。Therewasamomentaryunheaval，aspasm，andastruggle;butthetightly-rolledblanketclungtotheunfortunatemanlikecerements。
Therewasnonoise，nooutcry，nosoundofstruggle。Therewasnothingtobeseenbutthepeaceful，prostratefiguresofthetwomendarklyoutlinedontheledge。Theymighthavebeensleepingineachother’sarms。IntheblacksilencethestealthytreadofWilesinthebrushabovewasdistinctlyaudible。
Graduallythestrugglesgrewfainter。Thenawhisperfromthecrags：
"Ican’tseeyou。Whatareyoudoing？"
"Watching！"
"Sleepshe？"
"Hesleeps！"
"Soundly？"
"Soundly。"
"Afterthemannerofthedead？"
"Afterthefashionofthedead！"
Thelasttremorhadceased。PedroroseasWilesdescended。
"Allisready，"saidWiles;"youareawitnessofmyplacingthenotifications？"
"Iamawitness。"
"Butofthisone？"pointingtoConcho。"Shallweleavehimhere？"
"Adrunkenimbecile，——whynot？"
Wilesturnedhislefteyeonthespeaker。Theychancedtobestandingnearlyinthesameattitudetheyhadstoodtheprecedingnight。Pedroutteredacryandanimprecation，"Carramba！Takeyourdevil’seyefromme！Whatseeyou？Eh，——what？"
"Nothing，goodPedro，"saidWiles，turninghisblandrightcheektoPedro。Theinfuriatedandhalf-frightenedex-vaqueroreturnedthelongknifehehadhalf-drawnfromitssheath，andgrowledsurlily：
"Goonthen！Butkeepthouonthatside，andIwillonthis。"Andso，sidebyside，listening，watching，distrustfulofallthings，butmainlyofeachother，theystolebackandupintothoseshadowsfromwhichtheymightlikeevilspiritshavebeenpoeticallyevoked。
Ahalfhourpassed，inwhichtheeastbrightened，flashed，andagainmeltedintogold。Andthenthesuncameuphaughtily，andafogthathadstolenacrossthesummitinthenightaroseandfledupthemountainside，tearingitswhiterobesinitsguiltyhaste，andleavingthemflutteringfromtreeandcragandscar。Athousandtinyblades，nestlinginthecrevicesofrocks，nurturedinstormsandrockedbythetradewinds，stretchedtheirwanandfeeblearmstowardHim;butConchothestrong，Conchothebrave，Conchothelight-heartedspakenotnorstirred。
CHAPTERIV
WHOTOOKIT
Therewaspersistentneighingonthesummit。Concho’shorsewantedhisbreakfast。
Thisprotestationreachedtheearsofapartyascendingthemountainfromitswesternface。Tooneofthepartyitwasfamiliar。
"Why，blankitall，that’sChiquita。Thatd————dMexican’slyingdrunksomewhere，"saidthePresidentoftheB。M。Co。
"Idon’tlikethelookofthisatall，"saidDr。Guild，astheyrodeupbesidetheindignantanimal。"IfithadbeenanAmerican，itmighthavebeencarelessness，butnoMexicaneverforgetshisbeast。Driveahead，boys;wemaybetoolate。"
Inhalfanhourtheycameinsightoftheledgebelow，thecrumbledfurnace，andthemotionlessfigureofConcho，wrappedinablanket，lyingproneinthesunlight。
"Itoldyouso，——drunk！"saidthePresident。
TheDoctorlookedgrave，butdidnotspeak。Theydismountedandpicketedtheirhorses。Thencreptonallfourstotheledgeabovethefurnace。TherewasacryfromSecretaryGibbs，"Lookyer。
Somefellarhasbeenjumpingus，boys。Seethesenotices。"
Thereweretwonoticesoncanvasaffixedtotherock，claimingtheground，andsignedbyPedro，Manuel，Miguel，Wiles，andRoscommon。
"Thiswasdone，Doctor，whileyourtrustworthyGreaserlocater，——
d——nhim，——laytheredrunk。What’stobedonenow？"
ButtheDoctorwasmakinghiswaytotheunfortunatecauseoftheirdefeat，lyingtherequitemutetotheirreproaches。Theothersfollowedhim。
TheDoctorkneltbesideConcho，unrolledhim，placedhishanduponhiswrist，hisearoverhisheart，andthensaid：
"Dead。"
"Ofcourse。Hegotmedicineofyoulastnight。Thiscomesofyourd————dheroicpractice。"
ButtheDoctorwastoomuchoccupiedtoheedthespeaker’sraillery。HehadpeeredintoConcho’sprotuberanteye，openedhismouth，andgazedattheswollentongue，andthensuddenlyrosetohisfeet。
"Teardownthosenotices，boys，butkeepthem。Putupyourown。
Don’tbealarmed，youwillnotbeinterferedwith，forhereismurderaddedtorobbery。"
"Murder？"
"Yes，"saidtheDoctor，excitedly，"I’lltakemyoathonanyinquestthatthismanwasstrangledtodeath。Hewassurprisedwhileasleep。Lookhere。"HepointedtotherevolverstillinConcho’sstiffeninghand，whichthemurderedmanhadinstantlycocked，butcouldnotuseinthestruggle。
"That’sso，"saidthePresident，"nomangoestosleepwithacockedrevolver。What’stobedone？"
"Everything，"saidtheDoctor。"Thisdeedwascommittedwithinthelasttwohours;thebodyisstillwarm。Themurdererdidnotcomeourway，orweshouldhavemethimonthetrail。Heis，ifanywhere，betweenhereandTresPinos。"
"Gentlemen，"saidthePresident，withaslightpreparatoryandhalfjudicialcough，"twoofyouwillstayhereandstick！TheotherswillfollowmetoTresPinos。Thelawhasbeenoutraged。YouunderstandtheCourt！"
Bysomeoddinfluencethelittlegroupofhalf-cynical，half-
trifling，andwhollyrecklessmenhadbecomesuddenlysober，earnestcitizens。Theysaid，"Goon，"noddedtheirheads，andbetookthemselvestotheirhorses。
"Hadwenotbetterwaitfortheinquestandswearoutawarrant？"
saidtheSecretary，cautiously。
"Howmanymenhavewe？"
"Five！"
"Then，"saidthePresident，summinguptheRevisedStatutesoftheStateofCaliforniainonestrongsentence;"thenwedon’twantnod————dwarrant。"
CHAPTERV
WHOHADALIENONIT
ItwashighnoonatTresPinos。Thethreepinesfromwhichitgaineditsname，inthedustyroadandhotair，seemedtosmokefromtheirbalsamicspires。Therewasaglarefromtheroad，aglarefromthesky，aglarefromtherocks，aglarefromthewhitecanvasroofsofthefewshantiesandcabinswhichmadeupthevillage。Therewasevenaglarefromtheunpaintedred-woodboardsofRoscommon’sgroceryandtavern，andatendencyofthewarpingflooroftheverandatocurlupbeneaththefeetoftheintruder。
Afewmules，nearthewateringtrough，hadshrunkwithinthescantshadowofthecorral。
ThegrocerybusinessofMr。Roscommon，althoughadequateandsufficientforthevillage，wasnotexhaustingnorovertaxingtotheproprietor;therefillingoftheporkandflourbarreloftheaverageminerwastheworkofabriefhouronSaturdaynights，butthedailyreplenishmentoftheaverageminerwithwhiskywasarduousandincessant。Roscommonspentmoretimebehindhisbarthanhisgrocer’scounter。Addtothisthefactthatalongshed-
likeextensionorwingborethelegend，"CosmopolitanHotel，BoardorLodgingbytheDayorWeek。M。Roscommon，"andyougotanideaofthevarietyoftheproprietor’sfunctions。The"hotel，"
however，wasmoredirectlyunderthechargeofMrs。Roscommon，aladyofthirtyyears，strong，truculent，andgood-hearted。
Mr。Roscommonhadearlyadoptedthetheorythatmostofhiscustomerswereinsane，andweretobealternatelybulliedorplacated，asthecasemightbe。Nothingthatoccurred，noextravaganceofspeechnoract，everruffledhisequilibrium，whichwasasdoggedandstubbornasitwasoutwardlycalm。Whennotservingliquor，orintheintervalwhileitwasbeingdrank，hewasalwayswipinghiscounterwithanexceedinglydirtytowel，——orindeedanythingthatcamehandy。Miners，noticingthispurelyperfunctoryhabit，occasionallysuppliedhimslilywitharticlesinconsistentwiththeirservice，——fragmentsoftheirshirtsandunderclothing，floursacking，tow，andoncewithaflannelpetticoatofhiswife’s，stolenfromthelineintheback-yard。
Roscommonwouldcontinuehiswipingwithoutlookingup，butyetconsciousofthepresenceofeachcustomer。"Andit’snotanotherdhropye’llgit，JackBrown，untilye’vewipedouttheblackscorethatstandsaginye。""Andit’sthereyeare，darlint，andit’shere’sthebottlethat’sbeenlukin’foryesinsSaturday。""AndfwhothevyoudonewiththelastIsentye，yedivilofaMcCorkle，andhere’smebackthat’sbrukentoirelywiddippingintiltheporkbarltogivyethebestsides，andyespendingyurlastcintonatareintoGilroy。Whist！andifit’sferfoightingyeare，boys，there’sanilligantbitofsodbeyantthecorral，anditmaybemeself’llcomeoutwithashtickandbesociable。"
Onthisparticularday，however，Mr。Roscommonwasnotinhisusualspirits，andwhentheclatterofhorses’hoofsbeforethedoorannouncedtheapproachofstrangers，heabsolutelyceasedwipinghiscounterandlookedupasDr。Guild，thePresident，andSecretaryofthenewCompanystrodeintotheshop。
"Wearelooking，"saidthePresident，"foramanbythenameofWiles，andthreeMexicansknownasPedro，Manuel，andMiguel。"
"Yeare？"
"Weare！"
"Faix，andIhopeye’llfoind’em。Andifye’llgitfrom’emthescoreI’vegotagin’em，darlint，I’lladdablessingtoit。"
Therewasalaughatthisfromthebystanders，who，somehow，resentedtheintrusionofthesestrangers。
"Ifearyouwillfinditnolaughingmatter，gentlemen，"saidDr。
Guild，alittlestiffly，"whenItellyouthatamurderhasbeencommitted，andthemenIamseekingwithinanhourofthatmurderputupthatnoticesignedbytheirnames，"andDr。Guilddisplayedthepaper。
TherewasabreathlesssilenceamongthecrowdastheyeagerlypressedaroundtheDoctor。OnlyRoscommonkeptonwipinghiscounter。
"Youwillobserve，gentlemen，thatthenameofRoscommonalsoappearsonthispaperasoneoftheoriginalbeaters。"
"Andsure，darlint，"saidRoscommon，withoutlookingup，"ifye’venobetterividinceaginthemboysthenyouhaveforninstme，it’shomeye’dbetherberidingtowanst。Forit’smeselfashasn’tsturredfutoutofthestorethedayandnoight，——morebetokenastheboysI’vesarvedkintestify。"
"That’sso，Ross，right，"chorusedthecrowd，"We’vebeenrunningtheoldmanallnight。"
"Thenhowcomesyournameonthispaper？"
"Omurdher！willyelistentohim，boys？Asifeveryfellythatowedmeawhiskybilldidn’tcometomeandsay，’Ah，MistherRoscommon，’or’Moike，’asthecasemoightbe，sureit’sanilligantsthrikeI’vemadethisday，andit’smeselfthathasputdownyournameasanoriginallocater，andyerfortune’smade，Mr。
Roscommon，andwillyerfillmeupanotherquartforthegoodluckbetuneyouandme。Ah，butaskJackBrownoveryarifitisn’tsickthatIamofhisoriginallocations。"
Thelaughthatfollowedthisspeech，anditspracticalapplication，convincedthepartythattheyhadblundered，thattheycouldobtainnocluetotherealculpritshere，andthatanyattemptbythreatswouldmeetviolentopposition。NeverthelesstheDoctorwaspersistent：
"Whendidyouseethesemenlast？"
"WhendidIseethem，isit？Bedad，whatwithsarvinuptheliquorandkeepingmecountersdryandswate，Ineverseethematall。"
"That’sso，Ross，"chorusedthecrowdagain，towhomthewholeproceedingwasdelightfullyfarcical。
"ThenIcantellyou，gentlemen，"saidtheDoctor，stiffly，"thattheywereinMontereylastnight，thattheydidnotreturnonthattrailthismorning，andthattheymusthavepassedhereatdaybreak。"
Withthesewords，whichtheDoctorregrettedassoonasdelivered，thepartyrodeaway。
Mr。Roscommonresumedhisserviceandcounterwiping。Butlatethatnight，whenthebarwasclosedandthelastloitererwassummarilyejected，Mr。Roscommon，intheconjugalprivacyofhischamber，producedalegal-lookingpaper。"Readit，Maggie，darlint，forit’smeselfneverhadthelarningnortheparts。"
MistressRoscommontookthepaper：
"Shure，it’slawpapers，makingoversomepropertytoyis。OMoike！
yehavn’tbeenspekilating！"
"Whist！andfwhotzthatdurtygraypaperwidthesalesandflourishes？"
"Faix，itbothersmeintoirely。Shureitoin’tinEnglish。"
"Whist！Maggie，it’saSpanishgrant！"
"ASpanishgrant？OMoike，andwhatdidyegivforit？"
Mr。Roscommonlaidhisfingerbesidehisnoseandsaidsoftly，"Whishky！"
PARTII。——INTHECOURTS
CHAPTERVI
HOWAGRANTWASGOTFORIT
WhiletheBlueMassCompany，withmorezealthandiscretion，wereactivelypursuingPedroandWilesovertheroadtoTresPinos，SenorsMiguelandManuelwerecomfortablyseatedinafondaatMonterey，smokingcigarritosanddiscussingtheirlatediscovery。
Buttheywereinnobettermoodthantheirlatecompanions，anditappearedfromtheirconversationthatinanevilmomenttheyhadsoldouttheirinterestintheallegedsilverminetoWilesandPedroforafewhundreddollars，——succumbingtowhattheywereassuredwouldbeanactiveoppositiononthepartoftheAmericanos。
TheastutereaderwilleasilyunderstandthattheaccomplishedMr。
Wilesdidnotinformthemofitsvalueasaquicksilvermine，althoughhewasobligedtoimparthissecrettoPedroasanecessaryaccompliceandrecklesscoadjutor。ThatPedrofeltnoqualmsofconscienceinthusbetrayinghistwocomradesmaybeinferredfromhisrecentdirectandsinceretreatmentofConcho，andthathewould，ifoccasionofferedorpolicymadeitexpedient，ascalmlyobliterateMr。Wiles，thatgentlemanhimselfneverforamomentdoubted。
"Ifwehadwaitedbutalittlehewouldhavegivenmore，——thiscock-eye！"regrettedManuelquerulously。
"Notapeso，"saidMiguel，firmly。
"Andwhy，myMiguel？Thouknowestwecouldhaveworkedthemineourselves。"
"Good，andlosteventhatlabor。Lookyou，littlebrother。ShowtomenowtheMexicanthathasevermadearealofamineinCalifornia。Howmany，eh？None！Notaone。WhoownstheMexican’smine，eh？Americanos！WhotakesthemoneyfromtheMexican’smine？Americanos！ThourememberestBriones，whospentagoldminetomakeasilverone？WhohasthelandsandhouseofBriones？Americanos！WhohasthecattleofBriones？Americanos！
WhohasthemineofBriones？Americanos！WhohasthesilverBrionesneverfound？Americanos！Alwaysthesame！Forever！Ah！
carramba！"
ThentheEvilOneevidentlytookitintohisheadandhornstoworryandtossthesemen——comparativelyinnocentastheywere——
stillfurther，forapurpose。ForpresentlytothemappearedoneVictorGarcia，whilomaclerkoftheAyuntamiento，whoralliedthemoveraguardiente，andtoldthemthestoryofthequicksilverdiscovery，andthetwominingclaimstakenoutthatnightbyConchoandWiles。WhereatManuelexplodedwithprofanityandburntbluewithsulphurousmalediction;butMiguel，therecentecclesiastic，satlividandthoughtful。
FinallycameapauseinManuel’sbombardment，andsomethinglikethisconversationtookplacebetweenthecooleractors：
Miguel（thoughtfully）。"Whenwasitthoudidstpetitionforlandsinthevalley，friendVictor？"
Victor（amazedly）。"Never！Itisasterilewaste。AmIafool？"
Miguel（softly）。"Thoudidst。OfthyGovernor，Micheltorena。I
haveseentheapplication。"
Victor（beginningtoappreciatearodentialodor）。"Si！Ihadforgotten。Artthousureitwasinthevalley？"
Miguel（persuasively）。"Inthevalleyandupthefalda。"*
*Falda，orvalda，i。e。，thatpartoftheskirtofawoman’srobethatbreaksupontheground，andisalsoappliedtothefinalslopeofahill，fromtheanglethatitmakesuponthelevelplain。
Victor（withdecision）。"Certainly。Ofaverity，——thefaldalikewise。"
Miguel（eyingVictor）。"Andyetthouhadstnotthegrant。Painfulisitthatitshouldhavebeenburnedwiththedestructionoftheotherarchives，bytheAmericanosatMonterey。"
Victor（cautiouslyfeelinghisway）。"Possiblemente。"
Miguel。"Itmightbewisetolookintoit。"
Victor（bluntly）。"Aswhy？"
Miguel。"Forourgoodandthine，friendVictor。Webringtheeadiscovery;thoubringestusthyskill，thyexperience，thygovernmentknowledge，——thyCustomHousepaper。"*
*Grants，applications，andofficialnotifications，undertheSpanishGovernment，weredrawnonastampedpaperknownascustomHousepaper。
Manuel（breakingindrunkenly）。"Butforwhat？WeareMexicans。
Arewenotfated？Weshalllose。WhoshallkeeptheAmericanosoff？"
Miguel。"WeshalltakeONEAmericanin！Ha！seestthou？ThisAmericancomradeshallbribehiscourts，hiscorregidores。Afteralittleheshallsupplythemenwhoinventthemachineofsteam，themill，thefurnace，eh？"
Victor。"Butwhoishe，——nottosteal？"
Miguel。"HeisthatmanofIreland，agoodCatholic，atTresPinos。"
VictorandManuel（omnes）。"Roscommon？"
Miguel。"Ofthesame。Weshallgivehimasharefortheprovisions，forthetools，fortheaguardiente。ItisoftheIrishthattheAmericanoshavegreatfear。Itisofthemthatthevotesaremade，——thatthePresidentischosen。ItisofhimthattheymaketheAlcaldeinSanFrancisco。AndweareoftheChurchlikehim。"
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