Kelly had instructed Hal to make his famous chili for the family and all the ranch hands. He wanted everyone to get to know one another. These men were his friends, and he wanted camaraderie between everyone, which included his sister and family.
A large bonfire was aglow and Hal stood at a makeshift table dishing out chili. He was heavyset with gray whiskers, large hands, and a shiny baldhead. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he teased Faith. He was a jovial fellow and loved teasing the young ladies.
“What a beauty!” Hal said cheerfully. “You’d better watch out, young lady, or some cowpoke will steal you away.”
Faith giggled at his teasing but didn’t say a word and trotted off to sit beside her sister. Billy, Terry, and Joey were seated together. As she passed the boys, Billy whistled but she ignored him and continued toward her seat. When he whispered something to the others, the boys burst into laughter. Faith turned toward them with questioning eyes and Billy winked, wiggled his eyebrows, and smiled. What a bunch of clowns! She smiled back and hurried toward her sister and sat down.
“You’re getting a lot of attention,” whispered Sharlene.
Faith smiled. “They’re just teasing me. That’s all.”
“Why don’t you go out with him? He seems to like you.”
“Billy?” Faith shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m more interested in that bronco rider.”
Sharlene laughed. “I noticed.”
“I can’t help it. Mike’s so cute.”
As everyone milled around, eating and joking with one another, the twins sat around the bonfire speaking in low tones about the mysteries of Superstition Mountain.
“I don’t believe it!” said Sharlene.
“Why?” asked Faith.
“Because if it really were true, then why isn’t the mountain filled with prospectors searching for all that gold?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I think it’s just a legend.”
“What’s a legend?” asked Tony as he sat beside Sharlene with his bowl of chili.
“Hi, Tony.” Sharlene smiled and then quickly told her heart to be still. “We’re talking about Superstition Mountain. Faith said Joey told her there’s a gold mine up there with more gold than you could imagine.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you don’t believe it? Haven’t you heard of the Lost Dutchman Mine?”
Sharlene turned her total attention to Tony. “Yes, I’ve heard a little about it, but I thought it was just an old Western tale.”
“Oh no. It isn’t a tale, Sharlene. The mine really exists.”
Faith’s eyes widened. “It does?”
He looked at Faith and nodded. “Have you heard about the old Dutchman?”
“No,” said Faith.
Tony grinned as he placed his chili on a log and pulled his chair up close. Then, in a mysterious voice, he said, “The Dutchman wasn’t really Dutch.”
“He wasn’t?” asked Sharlene.
“Nope. His name was Jacob Waltz and he was born in Germany. In 1845 he came to America, searching for his fortune. As the years passed, he finally settled here and worked for some miners. When he grew a long white scraggly beard, the Indians labeled him Snow Beard.”
“Snow Beard?” giggled Sharlene.
“Yup.” Tony smiled. “That’s right. Soon he began hearing stories about Superstition Mountain from the Indians. They told him about the great Thunder God who was protecting all the gold inside the mountain. This made him quite curious. When he asked about it, he found out that Don Miguel Peralta had discovered this gold mine years ago but covered it up so no one could find it.”
Faith tapped his arm and asked, “But why did they call him the Dutchman if he wasn’t Dutch?”
Tony grinned from ear to ear. “That’s a very good question, Faith. His nickname was probably taken from the German word: Deutsch.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means German. Also, Germany is called Deutschland. So people could have gotten confused and thought he was Dutch.” He laughed. “Anyway, in 1870 he became good friends with a real Dutchman named Jacob Weiser and they went in search of this lost gold mine together.”
“Hmm, since they were friends, do you suppose everyone thought they were both Dutchmen?”
Tony nodded. “Could be.” Then he leaned closer to the twins and said mysteriously, “One day they showed up in Phoenix, buying whiskey for everyone, celebrating their great fortune with golden nuggets. These men had struck it rich. No one knew where they’d gotten it. They wouldn’t reveal its whereabouts but many suspected they had found the Sombrero Mine. Some say that they stumbled upon it and others say a descendent of Don Miguel Peralta had a map and sold it to them. No one knows for sure. For the next ten years, they continued bringing in gold nuggets. When Jacob Weiser disappeared, Waltz became paranoid and took extra care to not allow anyone to follow him to the mine.”
“Disappeared?” asked Sharlene. “What happened?”
“No one knows for sure. It was either Apaches or gold seekers trying to get information out of him. Some thought Waltz got rid of him during a disagreement but I don’t believe it.”
“Why not?”
“Because they were good friends for ten years. Why get rid of him after ten years? Why not the first year?”
“And he never showed anyone where it was?” asked Faith.
Tony shook his head. “He was about to. In 1891, Waltz was going to show his girlfriend where the mine was but never had a chance. He died during the night and took the secret with him. That’s why it’s called the Lost Dutchman Mine.”
“Have you ever searched for it?” asked Faith.
“Me?” Tony shook his head adamantly. “Never. I have no desire, either. Everything about Superstition Mountain is creepy.”
“Creepy? In what way?” asked Sharlene.
“Well, people disappearing and can’t be found, many mysterious deaths, and a Thunder God that protects the gold. I would never take on such a feat. Not only that, there are wild animals on that mountain.”
“Really?” asked Sharlene curiously. “What kind?”
“Bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, bears, and Javelinas.”
“Javelina?” exclaimed Julia as she turned toward Tony. “Did you say…”
“Yes, ma’am. Javelina.”
A chill went down Julia’s spine. She turned to her husband and something passed between them and they both shuddered. Just the name made her stiffen. That was the last animal they wanted to come upon.
The girls giggled and Sharlene leaned toward Tony and said, “I’ll tell you about it later. The subject gives Mom the creeps.”
“And for a very good reason,” added Faith. “They had a run in with a Javelina while visiting the Mayan ruins.”
Tony’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Actually, a pack of Javelinas,” corrected Sharlene. “Mom said it was real scary.”
“A pack?” gulped Tony. “That’s not good. Javelinas get over-confident when they’re in a pack.”
“Where’s Mike?” asked Kelly as he walked around the bonfire.
“Oh, he had to leave early again,” said Tony as he placed his chili on his lap. “No telling where he’s at. He never says a thing. Just takes off. He’s the most mysterious man I know.”
“Talking about mystery,” said Hal. “What have you learned about all these mysterious happenings on the ranch? I want to clear my name. I’m sick and tired of people thinking I’m the world’s worst cook.”
Kelly patted him on the back. “Hal, don’t worry about it. We’ve got an expert investigator in our midst.”
The cook’s eyebrows arched curiously. “Investigator?”
Kelly pointed to his sister. “She’s an investigative reporter. If Julia can’t figure it out, no one can.”
Julia shook her head. “I’m not that good.” She smiled at her brother. “Kelly exaggerates. Always has and always will. But he didn’t exaggerate about this chili. It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.”
Hal gave a nod of thanks. “I do my best. I’ve got a reputation to keep, you know.”
“What’s your secret?”
Hal leaned toward her as if to tell her a great secret and whispered, “Orange juice!”
“Orange juice?” Julia asked incredulously.
“Sh-h-h.” Hal looked around conspiratorially and said, “That’s right. Keep it under your hat.”
“Hey, don’t forget the cloves and allspice,” said Kelly proudly as he turned to Julia. “I’m the one who convinced him to add spices.”
“Spices?” Julia asked with disbelief. “In chili?”
“You bet! That’s one of the secret ingredients.”
“My chili’s won many a contest,” Hal boasted.
“Well, the secret ingredients sure worked because this is the best chili I’ve ever eaten.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Evans. Hopefully my reputation hasn’t been hurt too much.” He frowned. “That’s why we have to find out who’s spreading falsehoods about my cooking.”
Tony leaned toward the girls and whispered, “He’s really upset about the postings on the Internet. If Hal could find the person that did it…” He shook his head with a grin. “Let’s say that he’d better ask to be locked up in jail before Hal gets to him.”
Sharlene and Faith laughed.
Tony smiled when he realized the girls enjoyed his little joke. He ate the last of his chili and then stood as he asked, “Shall I take your paper bowls and dispose of them?”
Sharlene nodded and handed her bowl to him. He waited for a moment until Faith was done and then walked to the garbage can and dumped the dishes and plastic spoons.
As Billy watched, he leaned over and asked, “What makes you so lucky?”
“Lucky?” Tony asked.
“Well, double luck, I should say, sitting with the two most attractive girls around and making them laugh. Hey, next time invite us over, will ya?”
Tony smiled. “I’ll think about it.” Then he turned to the group and asked, “Are you in the mood of a ghost story?”
The girls laughed and the ranch hands quickly gathered around the fire, waiting to be entertained.