The story I’m about to tell you about the map to the Lost Dutchman’s Mine is honest and true. It’s nothing but unvarnished facts. (To start at the beginning of this mystery, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

You see, I was on the hunt for the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. Rumor had it that it was filled with treasure, and I wasn’t the only one out there searching for it. It was a race against time. Whoever got there first would have claim to the vast fortuned the mine contained.

This was my last chance. Soon, I would be forced to turn back, out of supplies, out of money, and out of time. I searched among the sagebrush. I searched in every mountain crevice. I searched in every hole in the ground.

Then I return to the most promising place I had been for one last look for the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. The only hope I had. Legend had it that this mountain held great treasure. Many had searched it. Some had never returned from their quests. But if the Lost Dutchman’s Mine was anywhere, it would be here.

I climbed over the rocks, the sharp points on them cutting my hands. Still, I wasn’t about to be deterred. Above me was a chasm in the rocks, one I hadn’t noticed before. It was only visible from a certain angle, one that would be hard for most people to see. Perhaps, just perhaps I had found the legendary mine.

I scrambled over the rocks, slipping and sliding, even loosing my footing at one point, but I wasn’t about to be a quitter. Not when I was so close to the Lost Dutchman’s Mine that I could almost see that treasure sparkling in the light.

I reached the crevice and lit my torch, then entered. Shadows danced of the cool, damp walls, and I had to remind myself that there was nothing to be afraid of in here.

I stumbled over something, just catching myself before I fell. When I shined my torched to light when I tripped over, I screamed. I’m not ashamed to admit it. You would scream too if you had just come across a skeleton.

Perhaps someone had come here to seek the treasure and had met a tragic end.

Gulping, I continued on. I searched every nook and cranny of that cold cave. Along the way, I encountered plenty of spider webs. Just when I was sure I was almost at the place where the treasure had to be, I ran into a nest of bats. My coming disturbed them, and they flapped their wings and descended in a group toward me.

Gripping my torch as tight as I could, I turned around and sprinted out of that cave, not even giving the skeleton a second glance.

No treasure, no matter how rich it was, is worth getting bitten by a group of bats. In no time, a scrambled down the mountain, along the path, and back to the little inn where I had started my journey many long days before.

No sooner had I stepped in the door than I spied them. Two men in what looked like Indiana Jones style hats. They had almost as much dust and dirt and grime on them as I did. The approached me, their lips curled in snarls underneath heavy mustaches.

“Hand it over.” The tall one’s voice was deep and menacing.

“What?” In that moment, I really hated my squeaky little voice.

The short one stared me straight in the eyes, his breath heavy with garlic. “You know what.”

I shook my head.

“The map.” He whispered the two words in my ear, and a shiver raced down my spine.

“I don’t have it.”

“Oh, but you do.”

Again, I shook my head. “Go ahead and look. You won’t find it anywhere.”

Believe me, they tried. They searched through my packs and turned my room at the inn upside down. At last, the tall one turned to the other. “Can’t believe I’m going to say this, but she was right. It ain’t here.” He turned to me. “Where is it?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.” And I didn’t. It was somewhere between this rather desolate place and Chautona Havig’s house. Good thing I had taken one look at the map, got my bearings, and got rid of it. I know these men were after it and were ruthless. Better that they not find it on me. I hope Chautona doesn’t have any trouble with these men showing up at her place. I didn’t mention her to them. Did I?

Want to read the rest of this saga? You can start at the beginning and work your way through. Try to figure out what happens to the map.

Sandy Barela – November 2

Cathe Swanson – November 3

April Hayman – November 4

Liz Tolsma – November 5

Chautona Havig – November 6

Marji Laine Clubine – November 7

Denise Lauren Barela – November 8

Rebekah Jones – November 9

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a $5 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Lost Dutchman’s Secret by Rebekah Jones.