1 POSO DE LOS MUERTOS A Short Story By George Pararas ...

than five hundred of the savages attacked and some had crossbows, which theygot when they overrun our men at the Valencia mine. Our soldiers at LasGollondrinas were able to reload only once before the savages fell upon them. Itwas hopeless”.******The Ventilation Shaft leading to Rosario’s “Nivel Siete”.As the convoy turned around the trail’s bend, Enrique addressed Don Carlosone more time.“We are here your Excellency”.“I don’t see the ventilation shaft opening. Where is it?” asked Don Carlos.“It is behind the bushes Don Carlos, right after the small plateau, near theclearing”.Finally, they had arrived at their intended destination. Indeed there was a smallplateau and a clearing up ahead along the steep trail. It had been formed bymaterial dumped when the ventilation shaft was excavated. Don Carlosdismounted and waited until the rest of the convoy reached the clearing. Then heordered all loads to be taken off the animals and stacked near the shaft entranceand for all to take a rest for about an hour. He said nothing more about what theywould do afterwards. Everyone assumed that the march would continue towardsthe lowlands along Rio San Miguel. Enrique in turn ordered that the animals bewatered and fed and for guards to be assigned on either side of the trail.The wild vegetation that had grown in the early spring hid the entrance to theventilation shaft leading to the seventh level. They had trouble locating it. One ofthe soldiers began cutting the vegetation with a long blade. Don Carlos cursedhim and ordered him to stop. He didn't' want the entrance cleared and visible.Next he ordered Enrique to assign responsibility for the guarding of the horsesand mules at some distance away from the plateau and to keep the animals tiedout of sight at a higher elevation a few hundred meters away, where thevegetation was thicker. Also he cautioned him that they should keep an eye forthe savages and under no circumstances to light any fires as the smoke wouldbe visible. Three soldiers were assigned the task of guarding the supplies, themules and horses.21