“We don’t need to,” replied Nestor.
“Why not?”
“We’re at the mine. It’s on top of that hill,” and Nestor indicated a little knob that rose about two hundred feet away. “Come on, we’ll take a look at it.”
Jerry shut off the power and, leaving Professor Snodgrass in charge of the machine, the others climbed up to the mouth of the shaft of the long-lost mine that Nestor had so luckily discovered.
A rude ladder led down into the depths below. Lighting some candles he had with him, Nestor descended, telling the others to come, but to use caution, as the ladders were old and rotten.
With hearts that beat high in hope, the boys went down into the mine. The first level was about fifty feet under the surface. Coming to a halt, Nestor lit several more tallow ends.
“Look!” he exclaimed.
The boys stared in wonder. Gold, gold, gold seemed to be on every side of them. It cropped out in the dirt and rocks; big yellow veins that glowed with a dull gleam in the flickering lights. The sides of the mine were traversed with the streaks of precious metal. Most of it was very pure, and it could be dug out with a knife.
“It’s the richest mine I ever saw or heard of,” said Nestor. “There’s enough gold in sight to make us all rich, even if no more develops as we dig farther down. It’s a great strike!”
“It certainly is,” agreed Jerry. “But can we establish a claim to it?”