That afternoon the travellers fell to conversing of the old mine which they expected to find. Not that it was an unusual subject for conversation, for it was the topic most frequently broached; but the talk this day was of special interest, because Señor Cisneros told them minutely of the mining laws of Peru. Hope-Jones had expressed worry lest foreigners would not be permitted to enjoy the results of discovery, but his fears were set at rest by the Peruvian, who said:—
“Our mining laws have been greatly misunderstood in other countries, and exaggerated reports concerning them have been sent broadcast. The foreigner’s right to own what he finds, providing no one else has a prior claim, has never been disputed. Recently it was made the subject of special legislation. During the last session Congress passed a law which, among other provisions, states that ‘Strangers can acquire and work mines in all the territory of the Republic, enjoying all the rights and remaining subject to all the obligations of the natives respecting the property and the workings of the mines; but they cannot exercise judicial functions in the government of the mines.’”
“What does that last clause mean, señor?” asked Hope-Jones.
“It has been interpreted to mean that the foreigner cannot hold the position of mine superintendent, the object plainly being to prevent his having active control of the natives who, of course, would be called in to do the manual labor.”
“It is fortunate then that we have taken you with us,” said Ferguson. “You will be able to act as superintendent, and we shall not have to employ an outsider.”
“I should like nothing better; that is, providing we find the mine. But are we not, as you say in the States, counting our chickens before they are born?”
“Before they are hatched,” corrected Harvey, but not in a manner which the señor could possibly take exception to—for that matter, he had asked them many times to speak of his mistakes during the trip. “Oh, it’s fun to do that,” continued the lad. “So I move that we have an election of officers, and I place Mr. Hope-Jones in nomination for president.”
“I vote ay,” said Ferguson.
“And I also,” said the Peruvian.
“Of course I do,” Harvey said. “And I nominate Mr. Ferguson for treasurer.”