CHAPTER XXIX.

IN THE AURORA MINE.

The guide that Colonel Mendix had furnished the two boys was a tall, swarthy Spaniard of sinister aspect. He had been in the colonel’s employ for many years, and was his favorite tool upon all occasions.

“Follow me, please you,” he said brokenly; “we go down quick.”

He led the way from the office across a strip of yard piled high with crushed ore and dismantled machinery of old-fashioned pattern, and at length they came to the opening of the mine, directly into the side of the mountain.

“It must be dark in there,” said Gus as they passed the threshold.

“Not dark, many lamps,” said Restrepo. “Come, close by me, please you.” And leaving the pure light of day behind they entered the passageway.

For the instant the boys could see nothing. But gradually their eyes became accustomed to the gloom, and then they distinguished far ahead a number of flames flickering like so many yellow stars in a dark sky.

“This is the first lode,” said the Spaniard. “Pay good many year ago; not much now.”

“And how many others are they?” asked Oliver eagerly.

The man hesitated. He had been cautioned not to say too much.

“Only few,” he replied evasively. “I show, please you.” And on they went.

They had nearly reached the lights when a man, carrying a lantern, came running towards them.

“Back!” he cried. “Half a minute! Back!”

“What is the matter?” exclaimed Gus in sudden terror.

“Fire blast,” answered Restrepo. He turned and motioned them back.

They lost no time in returning to the entrance. A few seconds later a dull roar was heard, followed by the sound of falling rocks.

“All right now,” said the Spaniard; “no more for an hour.”

“I wouldn’t want to be around when any of these blasts go off,” shuddered Gus. “Might kill a fellow without half trying.”

“You are right,” replied Oliver. “Ever kill any one?” he asked of Restrepo.

“Killed two last year,” was the grim reply. “But their fault, no other. They not run away far; stand close; blast go off; both get heads blowed away, please you.”

“Horrible!” cried Oliver. And he made a mental vow that should he ever become master of the mine he would take extra precautions against such tragedies occurring.

“I suppose some men get so reckless they don’t value their lives,” remarked Gus. “Mr. Whyland was――”

Oliver gave him a sharp pinch in the arm. “Take care what you say!” he whispered.

In an instant Gus understood the slip he had made.

“Oh!” He drew a deep breath. “Mr. _Ryder_ told me they don’t seem to care whether they live or not.”

Oliver was relieved to hear his friend turn the slip he had made.

“Well, Mr. _Ryder_ ought to know,” he replied. “But I should think every man’s life would be sweet to him,” he went on.

“And so it is,” broke in a voice behind them.

Both boys started. Turning, they beheld Colonel Mendix close at hand.

“I thought I would come down and show you through myself,” he said blandly; “it is not often that I have visitors, and I think it my duty to show you all the points of interest. Restrepo, you may go to work again.” And he added some words in Spanish to the man, who departed at once.

Oliver could not help but feel uncomfortable. Why this sudden change in the colonel’s manner? Did he suspect anything?

Then he began to wonder if Colonel Mendix had overheard the slip Gus had made. He sincerely hoped not. It might prove the cause of trouble.

But the colonel appeared to suspect nothing. He led the way, chatting gayly, pointing out this object and that in the most natural manner, until both boys were completely disarmed.

“Never seen a mine like this before?” he said. “Well, it is a sight well worth a good many miles of travel. Of course to us it is a very humdrum business, blasting and crushing day in and day out.”

“And do you never leave the mine?” asked Oliver.

“Very seldom. Once in a while I take a trip to ’Frisco on business, but that is all. I have no family ties, and this life here suits me just as well as any other.”

Before the boys were aware an hour had slipped by. Colonel Mendix led them into a number of abandoned passages, and they did not see the miners quit work for the day and leave the mine.

“Now, if you can do a little climbing, I will show you the richest lode in the mine,” said the colonel at length, when he was sure they were left alone.

“I guess I can climb anywhere you can,” replied Oliver with a laugh; “and I can help my friend along.”

“Perhaps you had better stay behind,” suggested Colonel Mendix to Gus.

“No, no, I’ll go wherever he does,” cried the stout youth.

A look of disappointment crossed the Spaniard’s face.

“Very well then. Follow me.” And he led the way up a narrow passage, and through a small hole into a rough sort of chamber.

“We can only get to it this way,” he said. “To leave it one must take a different route.”

“How is that?” asked Oliver.

“Because to reach it this way one must drop down a distance of fifteen feet, and it is too much of a job getting back. But the other way the return is very easy, though rather long. Here is the place to drop, over these rocks. Do you think you can do it?” And he held the lantern over the edge.

“I guess I can,” replied Oliver; “but――but――”

“But what?” asked the colonel sharply.

Oliver did not know what to reply.

“Here, I will hold the lantern for you,” continued Colonel Mendix. “You go over first and I will follow, and we will catch your friend.”

This seemed fair enough, and getting down, Oliver swung himself over the ledge and dropped.

About ten feet below his feet struck some slanting projection; but it was too slippery with water to catch a footing, and he went down fully fifteen feet farther.

“Hello!” he cried. “I――”

“Now you,” cried the colonel to Gus. And before the latter could say a word he found himself pushed to the brink and sent rolling over. He clutched the edge with his hands, but was unable to draw himself up, and went over just as Oliver had done.

“What do you mean?” he demanded. “You pushed me over!”

“It is a trap,” whispered Oliver, helping Gus to his feet. “Are you coming down?” he called to the man above.

“I don’t think I shall,” was the mocking reply. “That is one of the worst pits in the mine, and if I once got in I am afraid I would never get out again.”

“You don’t mean――” began Oliver, with his heart in his throat.

Colonel Mendix gave a loud laugh.

“I mean, Oliver Bright, that I have found you out,” he replied. “You thought you were smart, but you are not smart enough to outwit me. You are completely in my power. It may be that you do not realize it just at present, but you will, later on, never fear. You cannot get the best of me as easily as you may imagine.”