“Faix, it bothers me intoirely.  Shure it oin’t in English.”

“Whist!  Maggie, it’s a Spanish grant!”

“A Spanish grant?  O Moike, and what did ye giv for it?”

Mr. Roscommon laid his finger beside his nose and said softly,
“Whishky!”

PART II.—­IN THE COURTS

CHAPTER VI

HOW A GRANT WAS GOT FOR IT

While the Blue Mass Company, with more zeal than discretion, were actively pursuing Pedro and Wiles over the road to Tres Pinos, Senors Miguel and Manuel were comfortably seated in a fonda at Monterey, smoking cigarritos and discussing their late discovery.  But they were in no better mood than their late companions, and it appeared from their conversation that in an evil moment they had sold out their interest in the alleged silver mine to Wiles and Pedro for a few hundred dollars,—­succumbing to what they were assured would be an active opposition on the part of the Americanos.  The astute reader will easily understand that the accomplished Mr. Wiles did not inform them of its value as a quicksilver mine, although he was obliged to impart his secret to Pedro as a necessary accomplice and reckless coadjutor.  That Pedro felt no qualms of conscience in thus betraying his two comrades may be inferred from his recent direct and sincere treatment of Concho, and that he would, if occasion offered or policy made it expedient, as calmly obliterate Mr. 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.  For presently to them appeared one Victor Garcia, whilom a clerk of the Ayuntamiento, who rallied them over aguardiente, and told them the story of the quicksilver discovery, and the two mining claims taken out that night by Concho and Wiles.  Whereat Manuel exploded with profanity and burnt blue with sulphurous malediction; but Miguel, the recent ecclesiastic, sat livid and thoughtful.