Part 37 (1/2)

”Will you sell them?” Tommy's eager face expressed more than the simple question. Tommy wanted those claims.

”You can have them, Tommy!” began Enid.

Bet burst out with a decided ”No!” and the girls looked at the impulsive, generous girl in surprise. They had never known Bet to act like this.

”We'll sell Tommy the claims,” she said in her decided way. ”We'll sell Tommy the claims--for that treasure map!”

The boy looked relieved. ”It's a bargain!” he laughed.

”Nothing for nothing!” smiled Joy contemptuously.

”No such thing!” protested Bet. ”That map was worth a lot to us. If we hadn't seen it on Tommy's wall, I'd never have thought of those carvings on the rock meaning _anything_.”

”And who knows? Maybe there'll be a big mine on this mountain some day!” Tommy looked around with the pride of possession. ”I'm going to get the a.s.sessment work done on my claims right away,” he added.

Kit came close to him. ”Look here, Tommy Sharpe. You keep your eyes open after we go, and if Kie Wicks doesn't do his a.s.sessment work, jump his claims. They belong to us, anyway, and they're included in the sale.”

Bet carried the treasure to the ranch. The others acted as escort for the safe transfer of the box.

”All gone crazy!” said Tang to his boys, as the young people rushed in and all began to talk at once to the Judge and Colonel Baxter.

There was excitement and happiness on the ranch. Everybody had been interested in the adventure. But it was only the favored ones who ever saw the treasure. Bet gladly gave it to Judge Breckenridge for safe keeping.

”Now the tunnel doesn't have to be guarded any more,” exclaimed Bob.

And even the professor agreed that it would be better to stay at the ranch. Kie Wicks might try to get back at them, if he found out about the treasure.

So the camp on the summit was broken up. As the professor urged the burro through the canyon, loaded down with his tent and supplies, the contrary animal made a rush toward the flat where the Indians were camped, and nothing could turn him from his purpose.

The professor had a sudden inspiration. He signalled Mapia who was sitting by the stream, smoking his pipe as usual. Unstrapping the tent, the old man presented it to the Indian. And while Mapia's face did not change expression, somehow the professor knew that he was pleased.

As he turned to go, the Indian rose and followed. ”Wait! I show you!

Come!” he said, and mounting his bony horse, he headed it up Lost Canyon. It was slow travelling, the burro had to be brought back to the trail many times with prods from a heavy stick that the Indian had given the old man.

After a mile they left the creek and followed a smaller stream that had no visible trail. They clambered over slippery rocks for another mile and still another and then the Indian brought him out to a broad shelf of rock. And there hidden by the hills, was the extensive ruins of the ancient town.

”The village!” said Mapia with a sweep of his hand.

The professor could only stare. He had no words to express his joy.

Wall after wall of adobe ruins had withstood the weather in this sheltered spot. And from these walls he could picture the village as it had once been.

Mapia interrupted his thoughts. ”Be careful! The Old Chief's daughter walks!”

”Are you afraid of the ghost, Mapia?” the professor asked him, looking steadily into his eyes.

”No, I don't believe! But bad men believe and that is good.”

The professor laughed. Years seemed to have dropped from him. He felt like a boy.

Mapia was talking. ”The Old Chief, he's buried there--or maybe over there. Who knows? It is not good to disturb the bones of the dead!”