this--this is quite a sum of money."

"Well, I guess dad would want me to spend it," replied Dick. "I've got
lots more. Anyhow, I couldn't bear to think of Simon suffering, even if
he did do me some mean turns. Will you look after him, doctor? I've got
to go back East."

"I will, young man, and he can thank you for befriending him. I guess
those men won't have anything more to do with him after this, and it's
hard for a lad like him to be sick in a wild country like this. I'll see
that he has the best of care."

Pondering over the strange events of the last few hours, Dick went back
to his hotel. It was now nearly breakfast-time and he was ready for the
meal, especially the hot coffee. Tim and Frank, also, did full justice
to it, and then, being very sleepy, they went to bed, as did Dick.

"We'll start back home to-morrow," the millionaire's son said to his
chums as he went to his room.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE PANIC

Although a little apprehensive that Smith and his gang might make
trouble for him, Dick leisurely made his preparations for going back
East, when, late in the afternoon, after a long slumber, he awoke much
refreshed. But the miner and his men did not appear in Yazoo City. Dick
called on the government assayer and told him what he and his chums had
seen.

"That's a new way of 'salting' a mine," the official said. "A very good
one, too, from a swindler's standpoint. Now, if you want to, you can
make a complaint against those men and have them arrested."

"I'm afraid it wouldn't make the mines any good, or save the money dad
and I put into them," said Dick.

"No, I don't believe it would. Besides, they are a slick crowd, I
suppose, and you'd have trouble convicting them. Perhaps it is better to
let it drop. I'll be on the watch, however, and if I hear of anyone
about to invest in the stock of any mines Smith and his men are
interested in I'll warn him."

Dick called to say good-bye to Simon. He found the bad boy a little
improved, and when informed that he would be well taken care of the
tears came into the eyes of the youth who had done so much to injure
Dick.

"You--you're a brick!" he stammered. "I don't deserve it, but if--if I
ever get well maybe I can do something for you."

"Oh, that's all right," replied Dick, somewhat affected by Simon's
misery. "You'll soon be as well as ever, and when you do get around
again, you'd better steer clear of such men as Colonel Dendon."

"I will,"