the Doctor did not care to look down upon the river, for tearing
away some of the thick growth from the rock, he cast it behind him, so
that it fell far out into the canyon. Then two or three pieces of rock
followed, and somehow Bart felt more interested in their fall than in
the search for silver, listening in the hope of hearing them crash down
deep in the great stream.

"Yes; as I thought," cried the Doctor, excitedly, "the vein or mass runs
right down the side of this vast canyon, Bart--the Silver Canyon, we
must call it. But come, let's get back. I must tell my child. Such a
discovery was never made before. Discovery, do I say! Why, these poor
ignorant Indians must have known of it for years, perhaps for
generations, and beyond working up a few pieces to make themselves rings
for their horses' lariats, or to secure their saddles, they have left is
as it is."

As he spoke, he was already climbing up towards the shelf, his
excitement in his tremendous find making him forget the risks he kept
running, for to one in cool blood, the face of the rock, the insecurity
of the shrubs to which he clung, and the many times that silver-veined
stones gave way beneath his feet, were very terrible, and Bart drew his
breath hard, climbing slowly after his companion till at last they stood
once more upon the shelf.

And all this time the Beaver was looking calmly on, following each
movement, helping his white friends to climb where it was necessary, and
seeming half amused at the Doctor's intense eagerness. In fact, Bart
fancied that at times he looked rather contemptuously on at the Doctor's
delight with what he found, for it was so much whitey-grey metallic
stone to him, and as nothing beside the possession of a fine swift pony,
or an ample supply of powder and lead.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

UNTRUSTWORTHY SENTINELS.

They soon reached the little camp, where the Doctor eagerly communicated
his news to his child, and then taking Joses aside he repeated it to
him.

"Well, that's right, master. I'm glad, of course; and I hope it'll make
you rich, for you want it bad enough after so many years of loss with
your cattle."

"It has made me rich--I am rich, Joses!" cried the Doctor, excitedly.

"That's good, master," said the man, coolly. "And now what's going to
be done? Are we to carry the mountain back to the old ranche?"

The Doctor frowned.

"We shall have to return at once, Joses, to organise a regular mining