22
Long deepening evening shadows made it easy for Jake to maneuver off the rim of the canyon and ever closer to the mine. The men had continued to bring what he was certain was silver from the mouth of the cave for most of the afternoon. The haul looked large even from this distance and excited him, driving him closer.
It was just beginning to grow dark and the men of the camp were lighting lanterns when Jake posted himself at the edge of the mine. He could hear most of what was being said and understood enough of the Spanish to confirm that his thoughts were correct. A large silver treasure had been found deep in the mine.
“Date prisa!” Don Juaquin implored the last man out of the mine. His patience ever waning even with the treasure at his feet. He straddled the pile on the tarp like
