He poured bucketful after bucketful of water on the hot rock. It filled the air with choking, blinding steam; and through its hissing came time after time, like pistol shots, the popping of the rock.
As soon as the steam cleared away a little, Black Mayo and the boys set to work with pick and hammer. In a few minutes a large piece of the split rock was broken off. The gray-green mass was full of glittering specks and streaks.
“Well, my boy, you found it!� said Mr. Osborne, turning to Dick.
“Found it?� echoed the boys and girls who were crowding around.
“Found the lost vein of silver. It was true, then, that tale about the rascally mine manager. Evidently he concealed this place, hoping to get possession of the mine and work it. But he died without being able to carry out his plan. And now the mine comes back to its rightful owners.�
“Its rightful owners!� stammered Dick. He had not thought of any right except the right of discovery. “Rightful owner!� he repeated in dismay, remembering that this land had been bought by Mr. Smith.
“Yes; to your father and me, among other heirs,� said his cousin. “Our grandfather never lost faith in the mine, and when he sold the land he reserved the mineral rights. Your tumbling into this hole was a lucky accident. But for that, the secret of the old mine’s treasure might have remained hidden another half century, and you and I might have died without knowing it.�
“We surely might.� Dick’s eyes grew grave, then he turned with a shining face to his young cousin. “Ah, Anne! that’s a real treasure hole. Silver isn’t the�—he went closer to her and dropped his voice—“the dearest thing it’s kept hidden and safe. But for it—oh! what would have become of you that awful night?�
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.