CHAPTER XXIX.
IN THE AURORA MINE.
The guide that Colonel Mendix had furnished the two boys was a tall, swarthy Spaniard of sinister aspect. He had been in the colonel’s employ for many years, and was his favorite tool upon all occasions.
“Follow me, please you,” he said brokenly; “we go down quick.”
He led the way from the office across a strip of yard piled high with crushed ore and dismantled machinery of old-fashioned pattern, and at length they came to the opening of the mine, directly into the side of the mountain.
“It must be dark in there,” said Gus as they passed the threshold.
“Not dark, many lamps,” said Restrepo. “Come, close by me, please you.” And leaving the pure light of day behind they entered the passageway.
For the instant the boys could see nothing. But gradually their eyes became accustomed to the gloom, and then they distinguished far ahead a number of flames flickering like so many yellow stars in a dark sky.
“This is the first lode,” said the Spaniard. “Pay good many year ago; not much now.”
“And how many others are they?” asked Oliver eagerly.