The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DONE BROWN. 589 staff had passed that way, and promised that a steamboat-landing was to be built and ‘a line of steamboats should run from Santa Maria to Tigre Island, there to connect with the Pacific coastwise steam- ships. “ But,” I said, “what has brought -forth all these promises? San Marco gets a railroad, and Santa Maria a line of steamers. What moves the Zambo acting governor to promise _ these things?” “To. make the people happy. You see,’ explained Quinchincha, “ my peo- ple were ready to work for your com- pany. The men around Savanilla ruined your company. Now they must do some- thing to pacify the Quichas, who are enraged because they can no longer earn money.” I could understand this _ readily enough. With the invaluable aid of Quinchincha, we found accommodations for the night, and in the morning, after a good breakfast, we started on. The next stop was Jacinto, where we learned that the governor had stayed for several days. We were gaining on him because we hurried and he did not, and we went in a straight line along the river, whereas he made short trips aside to visit remote villages. What he prom- ised the people in such places I never knew. The population of Jacinto was ex- cited because they had been promised a fortress‘and a regiment to keep out foreign invaders, though previous to the Zambo visitation nobody had ever thought of an invasion. The last stage of the journey was from Jacinto to Gracia, high among the Black Tiger Mountains, and the health- iest place we had yet visited. The gov- ernor was here. The entire town had turned out in best bib and tucker to do honor to the Zambo who had been ele- vated to such high rank, although his zovernorship seemed to be aware that it was only temporary. And the governor was drunk. The town of Gracia boasted an inn, at which we found room for ourselves and food for our three animals. We sauntered about the crooked streets, and were gazed at the same as we had been at other places. - writing. “There is the Zambo,” said Quin- chincha quietly, as we were standing ‘under an awning made from banana leaves. The acting governor was a tall man. His face was heavy and gross, his eyes small and black, and there wasn’t a fea- ture in his entire physiognomy that spoke of honesty. I felt that any-means were justifable in bringing such a man to terms. He saw Wakler and me, and came in an uncertain, staggering manner toward us. I gave Wakler the signal to Keep quiet and let me do the talking. ‘“Who are you?” asked the Zambo in Spanish. ‘You are Americanos. What do you want?” * “We have followed your excellency,” I replied, “to ask for the privilege of extracting gold from these mountain streams. We will pay you one-half what we get out.” His black eyes a led ““Go ahead, then,’ he said. ‘But I must have your permission in I know it is dangerous to trv such a thing here without obtaining offi- cial authority, and your name is all pow- erful.” He bowed his acknowledgment of the compliment. His thick lips smiled. “Write? Well, I will give you the permission in writing. But you must pay me for that at once.” ea will,” IT said. “Come to my room.’ He started to follow, and four or five of his men came after. ‘“Come alone,” I said. told you all. anyway.” ‘True. Remain here,” he said to his official staff, as dirty a lot of ragamuffins as I had ever seen. “I will permit you to know what is done.” We went to the second floor, which was the top one, and into my room. It was a dingy little place, but it had two bam- boo chairs and a mahogany table that would have been worth a large amount of money in New York. As soon as the Zambo, Wakler, and Quinchincha were in the room, I locked the door. Savanilla turned to me sus- piciously.. I pointed a forty-five caliber automatic revolver at his head. 7 ““T have not The prize is half yours, OO (©