Wiles, that gentleman himself never for a moment
doubted.
"If we had waited but a little he would have given more,--this
cock-eye!" regretted Manuel querulously.
"Not a peso," said Miguel, firmly.
"And why, my Miguel? Thou knowest we could have worked the mine
ourselves."
"Good, and lost even that labor. Look you, little brother. Show to me
now the Mexican that has ever made a real of a mine in California. How
many, eh? None! Not a one. Who owns the Mexican's mine, eh? Americanos!
Who takes the money from the Mexican's mine? Americanos! Thou
rememberest Briones, who spent a gold mine to make a silver one? Who
has the lands and house of Briones? Americanos! Who has the cattle of
Briones? Americanos! Who has the mine of Briones? Americanos! Who has
the silver Briones never found? Americanos! Always the same! Forever!
Ah! carramba!"
Then the Evil One evidently took it into his head and horns to worry and
toss these men--comparatively innocent as they were--still further, for
a purpose.
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