l safe in which the gold had been placed. On opening the
receptacle, everything was found intact, a fact which the makers of the
safe are now using as a testimonial, as you may have noticed as you
passed their Broadway store. The testimonial is signed by Conrad
Geisler, who is now Mr. Merrill's partner.

Well, there is not much more to tell of this part of the Border Boys'
adventures. As it may be of interest, however, to relate the further
history of the underground river and the Haunted Mesa, we shall set it
down here. Ramon escaped from the general disaster to the insurrectos
at the Esmeralda Mine, and apparently rode straight from there to the
mouth of the underground river he had long used to such good advantage.
At any rate, when the boys visited it later, they found that a
cunningly set explosion had completely blocked the passage for
navigation, and the secret route of the forgotten race was forever
closed to man. As for the Mesa, you can read all about it
scientifically described in Professor Wintergreen's monograph on the
subject.

The ponies and the redoubtable One Spot, Two Spot, and Three Spot were
located at the Mesa, where they had been left in charge of Ramon's men.
All were fat and in good condition, and Firewater was very glad to see
his young master again.

By the way, Bill Whiting is now stationed in charge at the important
railroad center of El Paso.

* * * * * *

"Wall," remarked Pete, as they rode toward the ranch one evening, "I
guess things 'ull be quiet now fer a while."

"Hope so," rejoined Buck Bradley. "I wired Stow ter bring my show ter
Maguez and you can all have free passes."

Jack thanked the genial showman on behalf of his companions, and then
reminded him that Ramon was still at large, although the insurrectos
were almost subjugated.

"Yes, consarn that pesky critter with the finest horse I ever set eyes
on,--and while he's alive ther'll be no peace along the border."

"That's right," agreed Pete. "He's a natural born trouble-maker. But
I guess so far as we are concerned we are through with him."

But Coyote Pete, accurate as were his usual judgments, was wrong in
this. Black Ramon and his horse will figure again in these stories,
and it will then be seen how the boys finally brought him to book for
his misdeeds.

* * * * * *

The shadows are falling over the plains and the foothills are purpling
in