Nothing in this wide world could tempt Spanish Joe to
go back there. The storm, it is a joke besides that terror of the
darkness!"
If he expected to alarm Frank, the Mexican cowman mistook the character
of the boy. Frank believed that the fellow's fears had made him
imagine more than half of what he declared had happened to him.
"Well, we leave you here, then, Joe," the boy remarked, sturdily;
"because we're going to find that cave, and see what lies inside it.
If you want to come along, all right; if not _adios_!"
He turned and started to climb, Bob tagging at his heels. But Spanish
Joe could not bring himself to accept the invitation. He looked after
the disappearing figures of the two saddle boys, and shook his head.
"No, not for Joe," he muttered. "He knows when he has had enough.
Money could not drive him to enter there again, and meet that unseen
thing. Out here the danger can be understood, but Joe he takes off his
hat to the young Senors; for grit they surely possess. _Adios_, Senor
Frank; but I doubt much whether we ever meet again."
But staunch of heart, Frank was leading the way upward, determined to
accept of the challenge which the cowboy's due seemed to throw at his
feet.
CHAPTER XVI
THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL
The way grew rougher with every yard they traversed. How Spanish Joe
had come dashing down over this ground at headlong speed without
breaking his neck was a puzzle.
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