by Old Sleuth
CHAPTER V.
BOY'S DETERMINATION--GOING THROUGH A CREVICE--THEMOVABLE ROCK--AID TO DISCOVER--UP THROUGHA HOLE--THE GOLDEN HEAP--DESMOND'S GREATTRIUMPH--THE OLD MEXICAN'S SECRET EXPOSED.
Desmond was somewhat impressed by the words of Creedon, but stillinsisted that he would like to conduct an exploration.
"You will only go over the ground that I have already gone over."
"I know that, but I propose to look around all the same."
Desmond had been doing considerable thinking. He questioned Creedonagain and again, and made out that the old Mexican had lived in the cavealong with Creedon for months at a time, and as he learned, the old manhad thrown out a great many hints. These hints meant something; and thenagain, if he had hidden his wealth in the cave he had done it sosecurely and well that he had no idea of its ever being discovered untilsuch time as he saw fit to disclose the fact. Desmond knew how therewere some strange conformations in the rocks; the very place they werein was a testimony to the strange freaks that nature in its upheavalscan and does create.
Brooks had nothing to say about the matter, and Creedon did remarkfinally:
"Of course, as I've said, it can do no harm, but be careful you don'tstrike--"
Desmond here interrupted, and said:
"I ain't afraid of ghosts; I've met one and I've got used to them."
"I don't mean a ghost, I mean a crevice; go very slow and carefully, oryou may become a ghost yourself."
Right here we wish to exchange a few words with our readers in regard tothese rock conformations. Right in the State of New York, in UlsterCounty, and in what is called the Shawangunk Mountains, there are someof the most wonderful caves and crevices, and in some of these cavesduring the winter the snow drifts down, and in the spring becomes asolid mass of ice, and the writer remembers upon one occasion after along and weary scramble over rocks under the face of a cliff whichtowers up and overlooks counties, being shown a rock cave where therewas a solid mass of ice, which, in its contour resembled a ship. The icemust have been at least sixty feet in length, twenty feet broad, andfully forty feet high, and adjoining it were all manner of caves. Thesecaves are within a few miles of several settlements, and possibly at thetime of the visit of the writer had not been entered by over a dozenpersons. In these mountains are some very remarkable rock conformations,and we merely mention this fact to the lads in the East, who may thinkthat these stories of rock caverns are exaggerated. There are probablyhundreds of caves in the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains that havenever been entered or explored since the days when the early settlersmay have found them while bear hunting.
Desmond had been raised, as we have stated, near the mountains, andprobably had explored many rock caverns, and it is because of this factprobably that he was not surprised when led to the cave where he firstbeheld the girl Amy Brooks. That cave still exists and is well known tomany of the people living in its vicinity, and in our description weadhered to almost absolute accuracy.
Creedon was a rough and ready sort of man, but not, the fellow, asDesmond argued, who would apply himself to a critical study. It was agreat thing to have learned the facts concerning the old Mexican, andthe lad really believed that there was gold secreted somewhere in one ofthe little cavities in that perforated mountain.
Creedon started in to relate to Brooks the facts about the mine hebelieved he had discovered, and Desmond, taking the mask lantern,started off to explore.
"You will burn out all my oil, lad; that is the only harm you will do,and certainly little good. I cannot replenish the oil when it's burnedout, and I've been very careful, holding it for only such occasions aswhen we came here across the chasm."
Creedon explained that he had only carried with him one can of oil,which had lasted him to date.
Desmond started off and went direct to the crevice he had first entered,and Creedon smiled as he saw him go in there, remarking to Brooks:
"The lad will run up against a stone wall sure, but he is enthusiastic;it will be a lesson to him."
"Can't tell about that lad," said Brooks, "there is method in hisenthusiasm."
"That's all right, but I was camped in here one whole winter, and as Itold you, there is not a nook or cranny that I have not explored."
"But there are others," said Brooks, with an odd smile on his face.
Meantime, Desmond followed the crevice until he came to the stone wall.He knew about the same wall, but he was working on a certain theory. Hewas like the Captain Kidd treasure-seekers--the discouragement of othersdid not in any way discourage him, and we will here say that a similarpersistence in any walk of life, as a rule, leads to great results.
Desmond, as stated, arrived opposite the stone wall, and he commenced acalm, steady, determined examination. First appearances would havediscouraged any man, being faced as he was by a solid, smooth face ofrock. He stood contemplating the mass before him, and then with the rayof light from his lantern he ran all over the rock.
"By ginger!" he muttered at last, "I reckon it's true. There does notappear a hole big enough in that rock for a spider to crawl through;but, hang me! I've got an impression."
There appeared to be a break in the rock just where it joined with theroof of the cave. Desmond rolled a bowlder over against the rock andmounted, and ran his finger over the crack. It was not a large crack andoffered no encouragement, but the lad was determined not to be satisfieduntil he had established facts beyond all dispute. He ran his finger, asstated, along the crack, and his knuckle pressed against the roof, andto his surprise there appeared to be a loosening. He examined it and hesaw that there was a uniform crack running along the roof inclosing aspace about two feet square. The lad instinctively pressed on the centerbetween the cracks, and lo, there appeared to be a piece of the roofthat yielded. He pressed harder and satisfied himself that the piece ofrock between the cracks in the roof was movable. The discovery causedhis heart to stand still, and he muttered:
"Great Scott! but I've found it." He flashed the light on the crack andthought he could discern where there had been some chiseling. He madeevery effort to shift the rock out of its place, but it was too much forhim, owing to the fact that he could just about reach it. He did nothave purchase enough to exert his full strength.
He stepped down on the floor again and commenced to consider, and thenhe determined to return to the main cave and solicit Brooks and Creedonto go to his aid.
When he re-entered the main cavern Creedon with a laugh said:
"Well, lad, did you run up against a stone wall?"
"I did."
"I told you it was of no use to search these crevices. I've exploredevery inch."
"You have?"
"Yes."
"I think not."
Brooks knew Desmond so well he discerned that the lad had really made adiscovery, but he said nothing.
"You think not, eh?"
"I do."
"That would hint that you had found something."
"I have."
"What have you found?"
"I don't know yet, but I am certain I have found a cranny or nook thatyou never explored."
"You have?"
"I have."
"What have you found?"
"Oh, it may be that it's 'tellings,' as the boys say."
Creedon looked at the lad in a curious way.
"It cannot be possible," he said, "that you have found anything?"
"Yes, I have."
"What have you found?"
"Guess."
"It's no time to guess; what have you found?"
"I'll show you what I've found; I want your help."
The lad found a piece of sapling about seven feet in length, and said:
"You gentlemen come with me; I'll show you something."
Animated by great interest and curiosity, Brooks and Creedon followedDesmond. He led them to the little rock cave where the crevice abuttedon the solid wall of rock, and he said:
"Now what do you see?"
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Look sharp; there is something you have not discovered before."
"What is it?"
"Look."
"I've looked."
"I reckon when you did look upon the occasion of your former visits youdid as you are doing now--only _looked_, but you did not search."
"Have you searched?"
"Yes, I have."
"And you've found something?"
"Yes, I have."
"What?"
"Oh, look."
"I'm done looking."
"Then let me show you."
Desmond took the strong piece of sapling he had brought with him andjammed one end with great force against the square piece of roofing, andthe piece of rock moved.
Creedon gazed aghast and exclaimed:
"By all that's strange and wonderful, but I believe you have unfoldedthe Mexican's secret."
"I think so; and now lend me your strength, both of you, and let's seeif we can move that loose piece of rock. I'll bet there is an openingthere."
"You are right--yes, lad, you have indeed raked into the old Mexican'streasure den; I can recall now some words he once spoke."
"Don't spend any more time recalling; let's shove that rock aside if wecan."
The two men lent their aid to Desmond, and sure enough they did raisethe piece of rock, and by hoisting it they managed to move it aside atrifle, enough to reveal the fact that there was a chamber above, andthat the opening was through the piece of rock.
It was a reward of Desmond's persistence, but after all it was accidentthat had revealed to him the opening.
By hard work the men finally succeeded in moving the rock aside, andthere was disclosed the opening, and Desmond said:
"Now let me stand on our shoulders with the light and I will tell youwhat it is we have found. There is something there to reveal, I am deadsure."
The two men assisted Desmond to their shoulders. He took the lantern andshoved his head through the opening, and then flashed the light around,and with a joyful shout exclaimed:
"We've got it!"
"This beats me dead," said Creedon.
Both men were greatly excited, for it did appear that they had made agreat find of hidden treasure.
Meantime, Desmond managed to force himself up and disappeared in thecave. He glanced around and beheld a sight that filled him with varyingemotions.
The chamber was not more than four feet square, but on the floor in onecorner was a shining heap. It shone under the ray of his lantern as heflashed the light upon it. He took a handful of the shining stuff andpassed it down to Creedon, handing him the lantern at the same time, andhe said:
"You are a good judge; tell me what that is?"
"It's gold dust," cried Creedon; "how much is there of it?"
"Oh, barrels full, I should say."
"Great ginger! lad, you've struck it."
"Well, it won't run away, I reckon, but give me your hat and I'll fillit."
"Is that to be my share?"
"No, we're only giving you the first whack at it, that's all."
Desmond filled Creedon's hat with the dust and then descended, and thewhole party made their way to the outer cavern.