"On my honor."
"I'll—I'll do it, then, Merrill; but for Heaven's sake, don't betray me."
"You need not fear that," rejoined Jack, with a touch of scorn in his voice. "I have given my word."
"Say, young feller, hev yer found a gold mine up thar?" shouted Rafter.
"What is detaining you, Señor Harding," came Madero's voice.
"Nothing, sir," rejoined Harding, diving out of the bushes once more, and standing erect on the hillside; "that cave was quite deep, and it took me some time to make sure it was empty."
"Empty! By chowder, them wuz horses, I hearn up ther canyon, then," ejaculated the lanky Rafter.
"You found no traces of those lads there, señor?"
It was Ramon who spoke now, all his sinister character showing in his face.
"Not a trace of them," rejoined Harding, scrambling down the hill, grasping at bushes, as he half slid on his way, to steady himself.