"Just now I wish to have some conversation with these Americans." "Then come, senores," cried Don Luis, with forced gayety, as he thrust a hand under the arms of Tom and Harry.

"Come, we will have our ride and our talk.

We will be back here in half an hour and then we shall hear this affair through.

Come!" Tom Reade threw off the fellow's arm, exclaiming, warningly: "If you touch me again, you snake in the grass, I'll reduce you to powder with a fist that's fairly aching to hit you!" The vehemence of Tom's declaration made every one within hearing gasp with astonishment.
"What does this mean, Reade ?" gasped President Haynes, looking thunderstruck.
"It means, sir," reported Tom, wheeling about, "that this fellow, Montez, threatened us with death if we did not sign a glaringly false report concerning _El Sombrero_ Mine.

We were also to be killed if we did not stand by our report to the fullest degree after you and your friends arrived." "Then _El Sombrero_ Mine is worthless ?" cried Mr.Haynes, his face turning a ghastly white.
"As far as I know, sir, or as far as Hazelton knows," Tom Reade made prompt answer.