“Without doubt, señorita, you will know how the new government was forced to face a revolution in turn, and the chief magistrate was driven from office. Since that time there have been many changes, but the course of events finally placed General Santa Anna at the head of the new government, and he at once reaffirmed Guerrero del Norte’s claim to a large tract of land in Eastern Sonora. Thus you will see that Del Norte had a double right to this property, yet since then there have been many vicissitudes and many persons have arisen desiring to secure possession of that land. The title to it finally descended into the hands of my father. He attempted to open up some of the mines, but found the region swarming with brigands and hostile Indians. On investigating, he discovered that the Indians were incited to drive away certain parties who should venture there, and the brigands were in the employ of enemies who held counterclaims to the land. These counterclaims had been granted by a chief magistrate, whose authority to make such grants no one in all Mexico now recognized. Nevertheless, my father’s enemies were persistent, and misfortune placed him in such a position, that he was unable to raise the needed capital to carry out his plans. “Finally he decided that he would seek to employ American capitalists. He concluded to interest Americans and form a syndicate that would open up the mines down there on his land. I was a very young boy then. “On the night before my father intended leaving Tampico by steamer for the United States he was murdered, as I have before told you. The murderers sought to gain possession of his papers, but failed, as they were at that time safely locked up in a vault. These papers were placed in my hands by my mother when she died. I have them, and, at last, I have decided to carry out the plans formed by my father. For that purpose I am in this country. I came here to interest capitalists who will join me in opening up the region that belongs to me and in developing the mines down there. In pursuance of my purpose I became acquainted with Henry Crossgrove, and was invited to join him on this cruise.” Del Norte paused a moment, and then added: