“No. When I lost my property I tried to sell it, but could not get an offer. I have felt that sometime it might become of value, perhaps through cheaper methods of mining.�
“You know Walker Nichols, the mining expert?�
“By reputation. Yes.�
“He thinks that by the practice of new economies in mining, which will lessen our expenses considerably, we may be able to operate the Rattlesnake Mine at a small profit. Then there is always the possibility of striking a richer vein. Shall I go ahead? You will not need to advance anything.�
“Certainly.�
“You remember Mr. Baxter?�
“Yes; ‘Old Sunshine,’ the boys used to call him.�
“He has great faith that we shall strike something better if we open up the Rattlesnake again. His opinion ought to be worth something. He was a ‘forty-niner,’ has worked in the mines ever since, and has made and lost fortunes in them.�
Colonel Lathrop withdrew, and John Wycliff returned to his work.
Zechariah Baldwin, although temporarily thwarted in his plans to rid the town of Wycliff, was by no means inclined to give up his efforts. He had an abundance of resources and expedients, and when one failed he was not usually long in finding another.