The Argosy — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

228 THE ARGOSY, are indispensable elements in the prospector’s outfit. ‘‘ When you come round in the afternoon to make your start,’’ said Don Albino, ‘‘ my mayordomo, Manuel, will have a mule ready for you, and help you pack him.”’ Campthorne hung round the plaza in hopes of meeting Lola, but her father or aunt was ever in the way, and he had to content himself with the smile the alcalde’s daughter gave him from behind a grated window. But a maid brought a little note telling the agreement her father had exacted of her, and that he must be back, without fail, on the first day of December, with the Cincha Larga mine discovered. When in the afternoon he came to the éenda to pack for his start none of the people of the great house was anywhere to be seen, but Manuel was awaiting him. ‘“I am here, senor,’’ said Manuel, ‘‘ to help you to pack your mule which stands in the corral. Here is the saddle, the packing cloth, and the rope. Don Albino’s generosity has anticipated everything.’’ Upon the good qualities of his pack animal rests much of the chances of the prospector’s success, so by a natural impulse Campthorne went at once to the door opening upon the corral to see the animal which was to share the toils and hardships of his trip. In the middle of the corral, with lopping ears and listless tail, stood an aged mule that he had often seen, unclaimed and untended, picking up its living in the outskirts of the town. ‘The yel- lowish brown color, which had gained it its name, Mulato, was faded and grey with age, and he was aware that for years the creature has been looked upon as past service. ‘Where is the mule I am to have ?’’ asked Campthorne. ‘‘’'There he stands,’’ said Manuel. ‘‘ A noble steed! Of exalted Anda- lusian strain, he has the sedateness that comes with years and experience. Ah, it is no young and untrained beast that Don Albino has put at your service.’’ And he looked at the prospector as if he expected him rapturously to indorse his praise. | Campthorne’s first thought was that a mistake had been made. ‘Then the suspicion that he was being tricked made him hot and angry. ‘*Do you mean to tell me,’’ he asked, as soon as he could trust his voice to speak, ‘‘ that this bag of bones—this mule that was old when Don Albino was in pinafores—is what he has given me to pack three months’ supplies into the mountains ?’’ . ‘‘ It is the beast I deliver to you by his direction to me,’’ said Manuel. ‘“ Where is Don Albino?’’ demanded Campthorne hotly. ‘‘I’ll see what he has to say to me about the matter !’’ ‘‘T am sorry, but he is not at home,’’ replied the mayordomo. ‘‘ He started in his carriage for the Albuquerque two hours ago. With him went the senora Hloisa and the senorita Dolores. ‘The Senor Don Enrico Gallego accompanies the party, which is now full five leagues on its way.”’ Campthorne swore under his breath, but he took time to think before he spoke aloud. Was he, a broken and penniless man, to pick and choose ; to look Don Albino’s gift mule in the mouth? MHechicera’s advice came to his mind, and without a word he set to work with Manuel to pack his equip- ment on the mule. As he went about the task, adjusting the pack, he noted Eomichbooks (S@)