f the shaft. Ere I became conscious, Maximilian
was no more. 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."

Strong drew a long breath and passed his hand over his face.

"I have believed it true," he finally said, "ever since I first
came into possession of this paper. There is something about it
that rings true and I have counted upon finding sufficient wealth
to enable me to achieve a long cherished plan. If what you say,"
turning to Pedro, "is true, my chance of attaining my ambition is
very slim."

"I'm sorry, sir, but if I had known for certain what your object
was in coming down here I might have saved you the trouble.
Isn't there any other way you might obtain the money you wish?"

"If there is, I don't know it."

"Pedro may be right," spoke up Billie suddenly, "but I am in
favor of making an inspection of our own, now that we are here.
What do you say, Don?"

"I'm with you." Then to Strong: "How are we to get to the
bottom?"

Strong reached over and from behind a nearby boulder produced
another bundle of rope.

"I had intended making a rope ladder," he said.

"All right, then," from Donald, "a rope ladder it shall be."

The boys set to work and in the course of an hour had mad