implicit confidence in Mr.
Belcher's business sagacity. He had been upon the ground, and knew
personally all about the great discoveries. Having investigated for
himself, he had invested his funds in this Company. If the people could
only embark in his boat, they felt that they should be safe. He would
defend their interests while defending his own. So the field was all
ready for his reaping. Not Sevenoaks alone, but the whole country was
open to any scheme which connected them with the profits of these great
discoveries, and when the excitement at Sevenoaks passed away at last,
and men regained their senses, in the loss of their money, they had the
company of a multitude of ruined sympathizers throughout the length and
breadth of the land. Not only the simple and the impressible yielded to
the wave of speculation that swept the country, but the shrewdest
business men formed its crest, and were thrown high and dry beyond all
others, in the common wreck, when it reached the shore.

On the evening of the fourth day after his return, Mr. Belcher was
waited upon at his house by a self-constituted committee of citizens,
who merely called to inquire into the wonders of the region he had
explored. Mr. Belcher was quite at his ease, and entered at once upon a
narrative of his visit. He had supposed that the excitement was without
any good foundation, but the oil was really there; and he did not see
why the business was not as legitimate and sound as any in the world.
The whole world needed the oil, and this was the one locality which
produced it. There was undoubtedly more or less of wild speculation
connected with it, and, considering the value of the discoveries, it was
not to be wondered at. On the whole, it was the biggest thing that had
turned up during his lifetime.

Constantly leading them away from the topic of investment, he regaled
their ears with the stories of the enormous fortunes that had been made,
until there was not a man before him who was not ready to invest half
the fortune he possessed in the speculation. Finally, one of the more
frank and impatient of the group informed Mr. Belcher that they had come
prepared to invest, if they found his report favorable.

"Gentlemen," said Mr. Belcher, "I really cannot take the responsibility
of advising you. I can act for myself, but when it comes to advising my
neighbors, it is another matter entirely. You really must excuse me from
this. I have gone into the business