El Jaboniero walked from the clearing where he had camped to the brush where the mules were hitched. " Gott in himmel " he muttered. Even after living in Mexico for nearly twenty years, he still found himself speaking his native German in stressful situations. The old timers in Sonoyta  said that no one remembered his real name, it was was Hermann or Bremann or something like that but everyone just called him El Jaboniero, the soap maker. 

" Gott in himmel "  he said again and followed with some choice words in Spanish about Dolores the mule that got away in the night, her mother and the rest of her ancestors. " I'm getting too old for this shaise"  he thought. For a split second he thought of leaving Dolores behind and moving on but the load of soap he was taking to Yuma was a six pack mule load and he wasn't about to leave any behind. "She must have been smelling water and had decided to go after it." he thought. This wasn't the first time that she had bolted out of camp in search of water. Scanning the surrounding he knew that the most logical place for water would be on the eastern slope in one of the natural tinejas that dotted the mountainside.

With a deep sigh he checked to see that the rest of the mules were secured and started up the mountain. When he reached the top he scanned the mountain slope and lo and behold,  though it was still somewhat dark, he saw Dolores standing on the opposite slope munching on some shrubs. With no time to lose, El Jaboniero made his way down and soon he reached his wayward mule and was about to lead her back when he tripped and fell face down on the ground. "What in blazes...?" he said. 
As the shadows of the night reluctently gave way, the young daylight revealed a surreal scene.  Utter amazement, disbelief and bewilderment swept through him when he realized that he was in the middle of a field of gold nuggets. 

He gasped again and again, trying to catch his breath as he just sat, gaping at the countless pieces of gold. He started to laugh hysterically as his trembling hands picked up and caressed the rich glittering ore.  Dolores the mule lifted her head in surprise. She had never seen her master emotional in the least let alone carrying on the way he was. Soon, his emotions gave way to some very sobering thoughts; "How", he wondered aloud "am I going to get this gold out of here?"  El Camino Del Diablo was the main commercial route to Yuma and was frequented by bandidos and marauding Papago Indians who would cut your throat for a canteen of water or whatever you had and leave your body for the wild beasts. He decided that he would mark the place and identify several landmarks that would lead him back to the gold. Also,  he must behave as normal as possible. To that end, he must continue on to Yuma and deliver his soap. He would then return to Quitobaquito and hire two or three locals to go with him and retrieve the gold.

This particular morning, El Jaboniero and three companieros were getting ready to get on the road.  He did not tell the others about the gold. Word spreads quickly in little border towns. Especially word about gold, and he would have plenty of time to tell them once they were on the road and away from watchful eyes and listening ears. The main street was deserted except for a small group of Papago indians who were sleeping off the alcohol from the night before.
The trip was uneventful as they made their way up El Camino del Diablo. They stopped at Agua Salada to fill the water containers and rest the animals. After a brief stop they got back  on the Devil's Highway. It was still early but the temperature was already rising and their throats were drying up. 

Soon they reached the fork in the road that splits the old road into two - one leading to Tinajas Altas and the other to the Gila River. The little party stopped and El Jaboniero, remaining on his horse, took out an old Naval spyglass and for several long minutes looked in a North Easterly direction. What he saw must have pleased him because he sounded excited and up as he motioned the riders on..." Vamonos, muchachos", let's go!

 It was getting dark when they decided to make camp. In the morning they would continue and at about mid day they reached the foothills of the black mountains and set up  camp. The horses and the mules were led into an arroyo where they could find a little bit of shade. At night they would lead the animals out of the arroyo and onto higher ground.  Flash floods were common this time of year and many unfortunate travelers have lost their lives in the rushing wall of water and mud.

It was then, as they were resting in the shade of the brush, that El Jaboniero first told his 
companieros about the gold.