Part 18 (2/2)

”Not so, my friend,” interrupted the Spaniard. ”Take the bay. He is not as good a horse as yours, but he has great endurance. He is yours to use as long as you wish.”

Jo thanked the Spaniard heartily for his kindness and generosity. Then he spoke in a low voice to his brother. ”How about that money, Jim?

Don't forget to pay the Spaniard for those goods we bought at the store.” Jim spoke up.

”Senor, I wish to show you a little something of interest.”

Then Jim got his heavy saddle, on which he had ridden so many hundred miles. And the Senor regarded it with interest, because of the carved leather workmans.h.i.+p which was of the finest and he was a connoisseur of such matters.

”How much would you give for it, Senor Sebastian,” inquired Jim, ”if it were put up for purchase?”

”It is a beautiful saddle. I would be willing to give a hundred dollars.

It is worth it.”

”That saddle is worth several thousand, Senor,” replied Jim confidently.

”I do not understand,” replied the Spaniard. ”It is the personal value, I suppose.”

”I will show you,” said Jim.

Then he took from his hip pocket a heavy bone handled knife which he had bought at the store and pulled back the hoof cleaner, an instrument attached to the knife that was used to get a pebble or anything that had got into the horse's hoof.

With this he worked at the leather that covered the high and rather thick horn of the saddle. Finally he pried the top leather flap off.

There was a heavy piece fitted into the top of the horn. With some difficulty Jim got this out disclosing a hollow, in which was concealed most of the jewels he had found in Mexico.

”Hold your hands, Jo. Tight now.” And with the word he emptied the contents of the horn into Jo's palms. Diamonds, rubies, turquoises and some heavy gold pieces.

”That is what you might call a horn of plenty,” said Jim jocosely.

”But!” cried the Spaniard in amazement, ”where did you get these?”

”In Mexico,” replied Jim. ”This was what the Pirates were after. And they got all but this. Sometime I will tell you the story of its discovery. Now take this to reimburse you, Senor, for the money we spent at the store.” And he held out the diamond.

”That is far too much. That stone is worth five hundred dollars at least,” said the Spaniard. ”These three rubies would be more exact and I will take them.”

Jim, handing over the three stones selected, said, ”Now, Senor, you shall take the diamond as a token of good will from my brother and myself.”

”We insist upon it,” chimed in Jo.

Finally the Spaniard accepted the gifts with many protestations of obligation and appreciation. Jo was about to urge him to accept a jewel for his sister, but Jim stopped him, knowing that the proud Spaniard would not hear to such a present.

The next morning they were up an hour before daylight and ate a hearty breakfast by the light of the candles. Veterans though they were, the boys felt a thrill go through their pulses as they thought of the expedition that lay before them. Outside they could hear the pawing of the impatient horses.

”To the success of our expedition and the rescue of our friends!” was the toast the Spaniard proposed as they rose from the table. The Frontier Boys drank it, but not in wine. They felt just a little foolish too, but such is the reward that often comes with doing what is right.

But they were st.u.r.dy in their determination to stick to their principles.

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