The Young Engineers in Mexico; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers

anda in front of his handsome home, looking out

in a land of golden

nd a bow. "I should ca

country, Mexico, h

er since the da

se Mexico has truly a

e engineers to whom

o is the finest country on earth. And, though we are neither as numerous in population, or as prog

a seventy-mile ride in an automobile over dusty roads, that day,

nfident that not one per cent. of the country's natural resources has yet been taken from the ground. Enough wealth lies at man's beck and call to change the balance of power between the nations of the world. I have been in you

e billions of dollars," bro

tez, still smiling. "Truly, caballeros, as I

xican paused

olden eggs?" s

sh in the Mexican's eyes. Then

est, senor," he r

ywhere, there must be a goose at hand that lays golden eggs. Eggs are among the most common things that we

t. A little past forty years of age, he possessed all the agility of a boy of twenty. Frequently his sudden, agile movements indicated the possession of unusual strength. Dark, like most of his countrymen, constant exposure to th

he middle of the house extended the drive-way leading into a large court in which a fountain played. Around the

here were gardeners, hostlers, drivers, chauffeurs and other employs, making a ver

ers. Nature, on this estate, had been forced, for the natural soil was stony and sterile, in keeping wit

he sources of Senor Montez's wealth El Sombrero Mine, producin

ay station, seventy miles distant, and there had made himself know

nd standing in their home country, Montez had engaged the young men as engineers to help him develop his great mine. Nor

roads had permitted greater speed, the swarthy Mexican who had served Senor Montez as chauffeur on the trip had opened w

eins flows the noble blood of the hidalgos of good old Spain. My ancestors came here two hundred and fifty years ago, and ever since, ours has been truly a Mexican family that has

occupation at that

with an inn

Senor Montez, with a puzz

ade explained. "Mexico is

sued Montez, without a trace of offense. "Though I was educated in your country, I confess th

suggested Rea

of Spanish hidalgos. I am master over these people for many miles around. Absolute master! Think you any judge would dare sign a process against me, and send peon officers of th

much of your t

time?" repeated Senor Mon

," explaine

ican were making fun of him. But Reade's face looked so simple and kind

I make laws only as the need arises, and I make them to suit myself. I interp

my country do about the same thing, though the privilege ha

d to do so, he would go to prison and remain there. If I tell a man to leave these mountains, he does so, for otherwise he would never

-it's so simple and

owing in his eyes. "Say

d you send a servant

he st

so vanishes, you und

indulg

ta ever hear of the disappearances

ive heed to rumors against me, brought by evil-tongued men? Oh, no! El gobernador (the governor) has, at times, even kindly lent me his troops

n Luis-if you have many enemies

ade-no, what in your country you call the square deal. But you shall see. You are now associated with me in a great, a gr-r-rand enterprise. You shall soon see how just and generous I can be-am alwa

Don Luis wheeled about

p breathing was all

rough automobile rid

asleep in the b

tion. "If you deem it best, Senor Tomaso, we will arouse him and he

nnoy you, Don Luis, my friend will wake

. But you, Senor Tomaso, would you not lik

"Unlike Hazelton, I feel very wide

"First, you must both rest until you are wholly refreshed. Then you may want to stroll about the country a

en we are paid a thousand dollars a month apiece we ex

. And now, if you will pardon me, I will go inside for a

series, will feel that they are already intimately acquainted with Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, a pair of young civil

much study and efforts to find their true paths in life. In high school athletics the members of Dick & Co. won a statewide reputation, as to-day members of winning high school athletic teams are bound to do. It was during their high school days that Dick & Co. determined on their professions through life. Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes both secured competitive appointments to the United States Military Academy, and their further doings are set forth in the "West Point Series." Dave Darrin and Dalzell, with a burning desir

do, the two boys did their best to make good. How well they succeeded is known to readers of that volume. Their adventures in the Rocky Mountains were truly astounding; some of them, especially those with "Bad Pete," a braggart and scoundrel of the old school, were s

safely over the dangerous quicksand that had justly earned the name of the "Man-killer." Here, too, adventures quickly appeared and multiplied, until even the fearful quicksand became a matter

in the third volume, entitled "The Young Engineers in Nevada." The mine that finally proved a dividend payer was named "The Ambition Mine." A staunch Nevadan, Jim Ferrers, by name, became their partner in the Ambition. Jim, who was an old hand at Nevada mining, was now managing the mine while Tom and Harry, after going East and establishing an engineers' office in a large ci

"square" mining men. With their skill and honesty established, the opinions of the two

t) Mine in the Mexican state of Bonista. After some correspondence the two engineers had been speedily engaged,

, Tom, who had risen-to bow to Senor Montez, remained on hi

ously on his guard? Don Luis's manners, in general, I admire, but I don't quite like the cruel expression about his month when he laughs. However, that may be the way of the country, and I may be the victim of prejudice. Anyway, as far as Harry and I are concerned, we needn't worry much about the kind of man Don Luis is. The few thousands of dollars that he will owe

f the roomy porch chairs, half closing his eyes. He was so

ad he been able to render himself invisible and thus t

e-a young man perhaps twenty-six years of age. Carlos Tisco was secretary to Don Luis. Tisco was a graduate of a university at the capital City of Mexico, a doctor of philosophy, no mean chemist, a clever assay

Don Luis, almost in a whisper, as the two men, ben

s, Don Luis," nodded the secret

k of the Gringo pair,

Lu

ontempt applied by some

uis," replied the younger man, with

have been rated-my two Gringos," smiled the mine owner. "Re

l lower voice. "I have been studying their faces-especially their eyes a

t is not bad," laug

hen they will not nee

cretary be

ned Dr. Tisco. "For example, you want these young men for a special service, and you are willing to pay them generously-lavishly in fact. Has i

ghtfully. "But even suppose that these Gringos have absurdly fanciful ideas of honor? They will never guess for what I really want them. The

"but to me they do not look like such foo

uspect, if they hold their ton

," suggested the secretary. "You will have to pay the

ath in my hand in these mountains. Do not all men hereabouts obey my orders? Will el gobernador ask any awkward questions if two Gringos should stroll through these mountains and never be heard from agai

ernative," persisted the secretary. "Don Luis, you kn

mile. "If they are difficult to manage-these two young Gringos-then they will quickly disappear, an

h your great schemes, Don Lu

d blue before your eyes. Come, it is close to the hour for the meal. You shall meet and t