gh
they had taken to the dress, and were burned by the sun almost to the
complexion of the Spanish-Americans amongst whom they dwelt, had still
all the enterprise and love of adventure of their people, and were ready
enough to go.

Not so the Mexicans. There was a rich silver mine out in the plains?
Well, let it be there; they could enjoy life without it, and they were
not going to rob themselves of the comfort of basking in the sun and
idling and sauntering in the evenings. Besides, there were the Indians,
and they might have to fight, a duty they left to the little army kept
up by the republic. The lancers had been raised on purpose to combat
with the Indians. Let them do it. They, the Mexican gentlemen,
preferred their _cigaritos_, and to see a bolero danced to a couple of
twanging guitars.

The Englishmen laughed at the want of enterprise by the "greasers," as
they contemptuously called the people, and hugged themselves as they
thought of what wealth there was in store for them.

One evening, however, Bart, who was rather depressed at the idea of
going without his old companion Maude, although at the same time he
could not help feeling pleased at the prospect of her remaining in
safety, was returning to his lodgings, which he shared with Joses, when
he overtook a couple of the English cattle-breeders, old neighbours of
the Doctor, who were loudly talking about the venture.

"I shouldn't be a bit surprised," said one, "if this all turns out to be
a fraud."

"Oh no, I think it's all right."

"But there have been so many cheats of this kind."

"True, so there have," said the other.

"And if the Doctor has got us together to take us right out there for
the sake of his own ends?"

"Well, I shouldn't care to be him," said the other, "if it proves to be
like that."

They turned down a side lane, and Bart heard no more, but this was
enough to prove to him that the Doctor's would be no bed of roses if
everything did not turn out to be as good as was expected.

He reported this to the Doctor, who only smiled, and hurried on his
preparations.

Money was easily forthcoming as soon as it was known that the government
favoured the undertaking; and at last, with plenty of rough mining
implements, blasting powder, and stores of all kinds, the Doctor's
expedition started at daybreak one morning, in ample time to keep the
appointment with the Beaver.

"I say, Master Bart," said Joses, as he sat upon his strong