Removing the cloth from his companion’s eyes, Natachee said:
“You shall remain here to dig the gold. I will carry it out to the burro and take it to the cabin. I trust you not to leave this spot until I am ready to take you back as we came.”
Hugh laughed.
“You may trust me. I’ll promise not to put my head out even. I’ll be too busy to waste any time investigating.”
“Good!” said the Indian and the two men fell to work.
All night long, Hugh Edwards toiled with his pick, while Natachee sorted the ore, selecting only the richest pieces of quartz for the sacks. As fast as the sacks were filled, he carried them from the mine and packed them on the burro. When they had a load, the Indian led the pack animal away, to return later for another. It was a full two hours before daybreak when Natachee announced that they had taken out all that the four burros could carry. With this last load he led Hugh out of the mine and back to the cabin. Then, while the white man prepared breakfast, the Indian went once more to the mine to destroy every evidence of their visit and to obliterate every sign of the tracks they had made going and returning. When he again appeared at the cabin, the gray light of the coming day shone above the crest of the mountains. With the four burros loaded with the precious ore, the two men set out for the Pardners’ home in the lower cañon.
They had reached a point on Samaniego Ridge above the house when Natachee, who was leading the way, stopped suddenly with a low exclamation.
“What is the matter?” cried Hugh.
The Indian motioned for the white man to come to his side. Silently he pointed down at the little house on the floor of the cañon below.
“Well, what is it—what is the matter—what do you see?” said Hugh, gazing at the familiar scene.