Spanish Gold Read Online Free

pointed at his empty glass.
    â€œGive him another drink.”
    Travis picked up his glass and moved back to one of the tables. He sat down and tried not to listen to the story.
    â€œSpanish gold,” said the prospector when the bartender filled his glass. “Mined in New Mexico or Arizona a long time ago. They was transporting it to the coast when the Apaches caught and killed them all. Apaches put the gold in the cave.”
    â€œIf the Apaches killed them all, how do you know about it?” asked one of the Kansans.
    â€œAll but one,” the prospector amended. “All but one. He drew a map so he could come back and get the gold, but he never made it. Never came back.”
    â€œWhere is the cave?”
    The old man gulped down his drink, slammed the glass to the bar and said, “Easy to find once you know where to look. That’s the key. Knowing where to lode. There’re clues. Burned wagons. Remains of burned wagons still there after all these years, but they’re hard to see now. Not much more than charred wood and burned wheels. Bones around them, too. On the bank of a shallow river.”
    â€œGold there?”
    Grinning, the prospector pointed to his glass. When it was filled again, he said, “Nope. That’s just a clue. Apaches took it to a cave. Stacked it inside and then left it. A sacred place for them now.”
    â€œCrap,” said one of the Kansans.
    â€œFound it myself,” said the prospector. “Looked for it more’n thirty years. Looked for it since I was a young man. Found it, too.”
    â€œYou got a map?” one man asked again.
    The old man hesitated and then chuckled. “Got a map right here.” He pointed an index finger at his temple. “Only map I need is right here.”
    â€œCome on, Jake. The guy’s crazy.”
    The prospector finished his drink and waited, but no one spoke again. The two men from Kansas emptied their glasses and then waved off the bartender. “Wasted too much money,” said Jake. “Too many wild tales.” They walked out together.
    â€œHow about you?” said the old man, looking back at Travis. “Buy me a drink?”
    Travis shook his head.
    The prospector carried his glass over and set it on the table. “Name’s Crockett. Caleb Crockett.”
    â€œDavid Travis.”
    â€œWell, Mister Travis, I noticed that you don’t say much.”
    â€œDon’t say anything unless I’ve got something to say.”
    Crockett pulled out the chair and dropped into it. “I told the truth.”
    â€œSure. I’ve heard those stories since I was a kid. Caves full of Spanish gold. Only a fool’d believe them.”
    â€œI saw it myself. Stood in the cave and looked right at it. Saw the burned wagons and the bones of the dead.”
    â€œSand’d cover them after all this time.”
    â€œCovered most of it,” said Crockett, nodding. “Covered most of it but didn’t cover it all and I saw it.”
    â€œSaw it yourself?”
    â€œI know where it is. Found it and saw it. After more’n thirty years.”
    â€œThen why don’t you have any gold?”
    â€œGold’s heavy. Too heavy to carry on the back. Need a wagon and a team of horses. Then I’ll have all the money I need.”
    Travis finished his drink and glanced up at the bartender who stood leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest. He was no longer listening.
    â€œYou want to help me. Buy the horses and we’ll share the gold. There’s more’n enough for both of us. More’n enough to last us both for the rest of our lives.”
    â€œBuy the horses and the food and everything else we’d need,” said Travis. “And the whiskey, too.”
    â€œJust a bottle,” said Crockett. “Just one bottle.”
    Travis pushed back his chair. The legs scraped the wooden floor. He stood. “I’m not