Concho rose to his feet.

"Tell me, was the rock you built your furnace of red?"

"Si, Senor."

"And brown?"

"Si, Senor."

"And crumbled under the heat?"

"As to nothing."

"And did you see much of this red rock?"

"The mountain mother is in travail with it."

"Are you sure that your comrades have not taken possession of the
mountain mother?"

"As how?"

"By claiming its discovery under the mining laws, or by pre-emption?"

"They shall not."

"But how will you, single-handed, fight the four; for I doubt not your
scientific friend has a hand in it?"

"I will fight."

"Yes, my Concho, but suppose I take the fight off your hands. Now,
here's a proposition: I will get half a dozen Americanos to go in with
you. You will have to get money to work the mine,--you will need funds.
You shall share half with them. They will take the risk, raise the
money, and protect you."

"I see," said Concho, nodding his head and winking his eyes rapidly.
"Bueno!"

"I will return in ten minutes," said the Doctor, taking his hat.

He was as good as his word. In ten minutes he returned with six original
locaters, a board of directors, a president, secretary, and a deed of
incorporation of the 'Blue Mass Quicksilver Mining Co.' This latter
was a delicate compliment to the Doctor, who was popular. The President
added to these necessary articles a revolver.

"Take it," he said, handing over the weapon to Concho. "Take it; my
horse is outside; take that, ride like h--l and hang on to the claim
until we come!"

In another moment Concho was in the saddle. Then the mining director
lapsed into the physician.

"I hardly know," said Dr. Guild, doubtfully, "if in your present
condition you ought to travel. You have just taken a powerful medicine,"
and the Doctor looked hypocritically concerned.

"Ah,--the devil!" laughed Concho, "what is the quicksilver that is IN
to that which is OUT? Hoopa, la Mula!" and, with a clatter of hoofs and
jingle of spurs, was presently lost in the darkness.

"You were none too soon, gentlemen," said the American Alcalde, as
he drew up before the Doctor's door. "Another company has just been
incorporated for the same location, I reckon."

"Who are they?"

"Three Mexicans,--Pedro, Manuel, and Miguel, headed by that d----d
cock-eyed Sydney Duck, Wiles."

"Are they here?"

"Manuel and Miguel, only. The others are over at Tres Pinos lally-gaging
Roscommon and trying to rope him in to pay of