"
"Yes, daughter: read on and you will see," replied Mr. Brewster,
gently.
"The curse still pursues me. I have not written to conclude this letter
since the night I started it, as hard luck again is my lot.
"I filed the claim and showed the ore but different laws prevail in
Colorado, and I found I must register the nearest survey corners and
sections to my mine to obtain a legal ownership; however my plans and
specifications were sufficient to protect me from claim-jumpers.
"That afternoon, a storm came over the mountains and lasted three days.
It blew, and poured, and snowed, until it seemed as if all the furies
in Hades were let loose. Then it cleared again and I started out with
my dog and horse to visit my mine and make satisfactory corners and
plans for filing.
"A great land-slide had occurred during that storm and the entire
mountain-side was changed. Canyons, cliffs, and mine are gone. Wiped
away as if they had never existed. Of course, I know the gold is still
there but buried under tons of earth and trash. It will take longer and
cost more to unearth, that is all.
"But I will have to locate the place anew as I have no bearings to work
from, so I propose starting from Top Notch Trail and have Patsy help me
find it on the down-side, as near as I can remember from the camping-
spot of that night where I first wrote this letter:
"I am reserving this until I find the mine, then I will mail it at
once.
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