ccount of the
necessity for watchfulness. The rest of the distance was, however, got
over in safety, and they rode at last into the town of Lerisco, where
their expedition having got wind soon after they had started, their
return was looked upon as of people from the dead.

For here the Doctor encountered several old friends and neighbours from
their ranches, fifteen or even twenty miles from the town, and they were
all ready with stories of their misfortunes, the raids they had had to
endure from the unfriendly Indians; and the Doctor returned to his
temporary lodgings that night satisfied that he had only to name his
discovery to gain a following of as many enterprising spirits as he
wished to command.

There was a good deal to do, for the Doctor felt that it would not be
very satisfactory to get his discovery in full working order, and then
have it claimed by the United States Government, or that of the Republic
then in power in those parts.

He soon satisfied himself, however, of the right course to pursue, had
two or three interviews with the governor, obtained a concession of the
right to work the mine in consideration of a certain percentage of
silver being paid to the government; and this being all duly signed and
sealed, he came away light-hearted and eager to begin.

His first care was to make arrangements for the staying of Maude in some
place of safety, and he smiled to himself as he realised how easy this
would be now that he was the owner of a great silver mine. It was
simplicity itself.

No sooner did Don Ramon the governor comprehend what was required than
an invitation came from his lady, a pleasant-looking Spanish-Mexican
dame, who took at once to the motherless girl, and thus the difficulty
was got over, both the governor and his wife declaring that Maude should
make that her home.

Then the Doctor rode out to three or four ranches in the neighbourhood,
and laid his plan before their owners, offering them such terms of
participation that they jumped at the proposals; and the result was that
in a very short time no less than six ranches had been closed, the
female occupants settled in the town, and their owners, with their
waggons, cattle, mules, horses, and an ample supply of stores, were
preparing for their journey across the forest to the Silver Canyon.

There was a wonderfully attractive sound in that title--The Silver
Canyon, and it acted like magic on the men of English blood, who, thou