I am no
traitor, Senor Don Estevan; and the proposal I am now about to make to
you is frank and loyal."

"We shall see, then."

"Know, then, Senor Arechiza, that for several years past I have followed
the profession of a _gambusino_, and have rambled over most of this
country in the exercise of my calling. I have seen a deposit of gold
such as mortal eye perhaps never looked upon!"

"You have seen it, and not possessed yourself of it?"

"Do not mock me, Don Estevan; I am in earnest. I have seen a _placer_
so rich that the man who gets it might for a whole year play the game of
hell with luck all the while against him, and not be impoverished! So
rich as to satisfy the most insatiable avarice; so rich, in fact, as to
buy a kingdom!"

At these words, which responded to some hopes and desires already
conceived, Don Estevan could not hinder himself from the manifestation
of a certain emotion.

"So rich," continued the outlaw, in an exalted tone, "that I would not
hesitate for one instant to give my soul to the devil in exchange for
it."

"The devil is not such a fool as to value so highly a soul which he
knows he will get _gratis_. But how did _you_ discover this _placer_?"

"Thus, senor. There was a _gambusino_ called Marcos Arellanos, who was
celebrated throughout the whole province. It was he who discovered this
_bonanza_ in company with another of the same calling as himself; but
just as they were about to gather some of the gold, they were attacked
by the Apache Indians. The associate of Marcos Arellanos was killed,
and he himself had to run a thousand risks before he succeeded in making
his escape.

"It was after he came home again that by chance I met him at Tubac.
There he proposed to me to join him, and go back to the _placer_. I
accepted his offer, and we started. We arrived safely at the _Golden
Valley_, for by that name he called the place. Powers of Heaven!"
exclaimed Cuchillo, "it only needed to see those blocks of gold shining
in the sun to bring before one's eyes a thousand dazzling visions!

"Alas! we were only permitted to feast our eyes. The savages were upon
us. We were compelled to fly in our turn, and I alone escaped. Poor
Marcos! he fell under the horrible war clubs; and I--I have sorely
grieved for him! Now, senor, this is the secret of the Golden Valley
which I desire to sell to you."

"To sell to me:--and who is to answer for your fidelity?"

"My own interest. I sell