nce,' as the phrase goes, of a possible
enemy." And Ernest Wilton laughed.

"I have heard some similar rumours myself," said Mr Rawlings more
gravely. "The last scout that came here from the township, just before
the winter set in regularly, brought word that the Sioux were preparing
for the war-path, or something to that effect; and, as the red men
themselves say, there is never much smoke without fire. I hope to
goodness, though, that it is only rumour! An Indian war is a terrible
thing, my boy. I've seen the effects of one, years since, and never
forgotten it,"--and Mr Rawlings laid his hand on Ernest Wilton's
shoulder, as if to impress his words more strongly. "It wouldn't be
pleasant for us here were another to break out now, and we so far from
the settlements."

"Isn't there a military station near this of the United States troops?"
asked the young engineer.

"About a hundred miles off, or so," replied Mr Rawlings.

"Oh, that's pretty close for the backwoods!" said Ernest Wilton lightly,
as he quickened his steps to join Seth Allport, who had hailed out to
the two stragglers to "hurry up," for the "lazy lubbers" that they were;
the ex-mate of the _Susan Jane_ having awaited with some considerable
impatience, for a rather unconscionable length of time, the end of the
interview between the two Englishmen, although he was too good-hearted,
and had too much good taste, to interrupt them before he saw that their
chat was finished.

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWELVE.

"LOVE'S LABOUR LOST."

"Now, mister," said Seth Allport, when the young engineer closed-up to
his side, "I guess you've seed our location, and you've seed
ourselves:--now, see the mine afore you. What d'ye think of it, hey?"

The "location" looked as favourable a one for mining purposes as it was
charming to the eye; but appearances are not everything to those who
toil beneath the surface of the earth, and so Ernest Wilton well knew.

"What strata have you passed through?" asked he of Seth.

"I s'pose yer mean the sile, don't yer?" said Seth Allport.

The young engineer nodded an affirmative reply.

"Black mould--gravel--sand and clay--black sand by itself--and then
quartz reef," replied Seth, laconically, repeating the words as if he
were saying a lesson he had learnt from a book.

"And what have you got to now?" continued Ernest Wilton, pursuing his
inquiry.

"Water," said Seth Allport in the same laconic way.

Ernest Wilton's face