The Merriweather Girls in Quest of Treasure Part 37

"Will you sell them?" Tommy's eager face expressed more than the simple question. Tommy wanted those claims.

"You can have them, Tommy!" began Enid.

Bet burst out with a decided "No!" and the girls looked at the impulsive, generous girl in surprise. They had never known Bet to act like this.

"We'll sell Tommy the claims," she said in her decided way. "We'll sell Tommy the claims--for that treasure map!"

The boy looked relieved. "It's a bargain!" he laughed.

"Nothing for nothing!" smiled Joy contemptuously.

"No such thing!" protested Bet. "That map was worth a lot to us. If we hadn't seen it on Tommy's wall, I'd never have thought of those carvings on the rock meaning _anything_."

"And who knows? Maybe there'll be a big mine on this mountain some day!" Tommy looked around with the pride of possession. "I'm going to get the a.s.sessment work done on my claims right away," he added.

Kit came close to him. "Look here, Tommy Sharpe. You keep your eyes open after we go, and if Kie Wicks doesn't do his a.s.sessment work, jump his claims. They belong to us, anyway, and they're included in the sale."

Bet carried the treasure to the ranch. The others acted as escort for the safe transfer of the box.

"All gone crazy!" said Tang to his boys, as the young people rushed in and all began to talk at once to the Judge and Colonel Baxter.

There was excitement and happiness on the ranch. Everybody had been interested in the adventure. But it was only the favored ones who ever saw the treasure. Bet gladly gave it to Judge Breckenridge for safe keeping.

"Now the tunnel doesn't have to be guarded any more," exclaimed Bob.

And even the professor agreed that it would be better to stay at the ranch. Kie Wicks might try to get back at them, if he found out about the treasure.

So the camp on the summit was broken up. As the professor urged the burro through the canyon, loaded down with his tent and supplies, the contrary animal made a rush toward the flat where the Indians were camped, and nothing could turn him from his purpose.

The professor had a sudden inspiration. He signalled Mapia who was sitting by the stream, smoking his pipe as usual. Unstrapping the tent, the old man presented it to the Indian. And while Mapia's face did not change expression, somehow the professor knew that he was pleased.

As he turned to go, the Indian rose and followed. "Wait! I show you!

Come!" he said, and mounting his bony horse, he headed it up Lost Canyon. It was slow travelling, the burro had to be brought back to the trail many times with prods from a heavy stick that the Indian had given the old man.

After a mile they left the creek and followed a smaller stream that had no visible trail. They clambered over slippery rocks for another mile and still another and then the Indian brought him out to a broad shelf of rock. And there hidden by the hills, was the extensive ruins of the ancient town.

"The village!" said Mapia with a sweep of his hand.

The professor could only stare. He had no words to express his joy.

Wall after wall of adobe ruins had withstood the weather in this sheltered spot. And from these walls he could picture the village as it had once been.

Mapia interrupted his thoughts. "Be careful! The Old Chief's daughter walks!"

"Are you afraid of the ghost, Mapia?" the professor asked him, looking steadily into his eyes.

"No, I don't believe! But bad men believe and that is good."

The professor laughed. Years seemed to have dropped from him. He felt like a boy.

Mapia was talking. "The Old Chief, he's buried there--or maybe over there. Who knows? It is not good to disturb the bones of the dead!"

he added in a warning voice.

CHAPTER XX

"_COMPLIMENTS OF KIE WICKS_"

The last week in the hills was a busy one for The Merriweather Girls and their friends.

Professor Gillette worked from early morning until late at night. The few excavations he made proved beyond doubt that he had found the ancient village that so many men had tried to locate.

His job was secure. And with his share of the treasure he would be able to realize his hopes in regard to the invalid daughter. There was no happier man in the world these days than the old professor.

His time was spent in making a careful map of the village. The ruins were photographed from every angle by Shirley Williams. Everyone had a hand in helping their old friend in the realization of his undertaking.

Bet was quiet. Something seemed to be troubling here these days.

"What is it, Bet?" asked Colonel Baxter one morning after his daughter had been following him around for an hour, with a question in her eyes.

"There is just one thing I want to do more than I anything else in all the world," she answered.

"Speak, child!" smiled the Colonel indulgently. "What is it that your heart desires?" he added playfully.

"Let me fly back with you to New York! I've never been up in an airplane."

"I'm sorry, Bet. I can't do it this time. Not yet," he answered.

Bet looked disappointed. "Oh it's all right, Dad, I won't whimper.

I've had a wonderful time this summer."

"And what's more, you will have your chance this year."

"Oh, what do you mean, Dad?"

"Up at Rockhill School, where you are going this winter, they have a cla.s.s in aviation for the girls," said her father.

"Do you mean it? Is it really true? Will you let me learn to fly?"

"Yes daughter, I want you to. I believe in modern sports for young people. It's a great game and the earlier you get into it, the more chance you have of becoming an expert."

"Dad, you're wonderful!" exclaimed Bet.

With this promise Bet was satisfied and not unhappy when her father and the boys left the next day for Benito, where the airplane was guarded in a barn.

In fact Bet was too busy during the next few days to be unhappy. The girls were sorting over all the collections they had made in the hills.

It would have needed a special train if Bet had taken all the things she had brought to the ranch so it was necessary for her to go over the lot and take only the treasures that she could not give up.

"You'd better get an old trunk that's out in the garage and fill it up.