remembrance? It is
American money, but you can easily get it changed. And now, let
us shake hands."

Nicolas appeared dazed, both by the money and by Tom's desire to
shake hands with him. The hand that Tom clasped trembled.

"Same here," murmured Harry, also producing a five-dollar bill.
"Nicolas, you're a Mexican, but I wish they produced more of your
kind on the American side of the Rio Grande."

"The _caballeros_ have been too generous with me," protested the
poor fellow, in a husky voice. "I have not deserved this. And,
though I have been a stupid servant, you have not once beaten
me with your canes."

"If you can find the canes you may keep them, then, as a souvenir
of what you didn't get," laughed Reade. "And now, Nicolas, we
must hasten, or we shall lose our trains."

The Mexican would have said more, but he was too dazed. In his
left hand he held ten dollars in American money, about the same
thing as twenty in Mexican coin. It was more money than he had
ever held of his own before--it was almost a fortune. Surely,
these _Americanos_ must suddenly have taken leave of their senses!
Then, too, Senor Reade had just spoken of missing the train.
Did they not realize that the nearest railway train was seventy
miles away? Assuredly, they must be mad!

In the meantime Tom and Harry, having once more shouldered their
trunks, kept on down the broad hallway and out on to the porch.
There was no one there to oppose them, though Don Luis was secretly
regarding them through the crack of a nearly closed door. There
was an evil, leering smile on the face of the Mexican mine owner.

Down the steps, along the drive--it was not a short one, and
then out into the road, Tom continued. His back was beginning
to feel the unaccustomed load on his shoulder.

"Drop it, pretty soon, Tom," muttered Hazelton, behind him.

"I believe I will Reade nodded. Reaching the farther side of
the road he dropped one end of the trunk to the ground. Harry
did likewise.

"Whew!" sputtered Tom. "I'd rather be an engineer, any day, than
a delivery wagon!"

"Well, we're here," announced Harry. Then inquired, "What are
we going to do now?"

CHAPTER XI

A PIECE OF LEAD IN THE AIR

"Get your wind back," advised Tom. "Also ease your shoulder a bit."

"And then?"

"We'll carry the trunks up the slope and dump them in some depression
in the rock."

"What's the use of the trunks, anyway?" Harry wanted to know.
"No