r
a long time the lode was poor, but at a depth of eighty feet they came
upon ore of immense richness. Three days after they had made the
discovery a band of Indians fell upon them. Ned's four comrades were
killed, but he managed to escape. The Indians burnt the hut and
destroyed the surface-workings, and then left. Alone and penniless, Ned
could do nothing. He made his way back to the settlement, and then
worked on the railway. He was afraid to tell any one his secret, and
was in no hurry, as he had no fear of any chance miners discovering the
spot, which he said looked by no means a promising one. Then he fell
ill, and a yearning for England seized him, and so he came to me.
Before he died he told me the story, and gave me the fullest directions
for finding the spot where, he said, a great fortune awaited me. I was
by profession a civil engineer and knew a little of mining, so I
determined to undertake the adventure. I was preparing to start, having
made arrangements for a prolonged absence, when in London I met my old
friend Captain Blowser, and mentioning to him that I was about to take a
passage in a Cunarder for America, he said that he was sailing for
Boston in a few days, and would be glad of my company. I accepted his
invitation, and here I am. I have sufficient capital to open the mine
and carry on operations for a year. I should be glad of an energetic
man whom I could trust, and who understands the country and mining. I
might travel far before I found one who would so thoroughly suit my
views as yourself, Seth; so if you will throw in your lot with me, as
working manager of the affair, we shall have no difficulty whatever in
coming to terms."

"I'm your man," Seth said, holding out his hand. "Yes, sir, I reckon
that this venture is just the thing that will suit me. I'm all there,
you bet."

And so the agreement was made, and before arriving at the end of the
voyage Seth had selected four of the best and most trustworthy men on
board to join the party. It was arranged that each, in addition to his
pay, should receive a small share in the undertaking, should it turn out
a success; and, with the prospect of an adventure that might render them
independent for life, they gladly "signed articles," as they called
putting down their names to an agreement which the mate had drawn out,
binding those who expressed their willingness to embark in the
enterprise to be true to Mr Rawlings to the last, and