Billy, glancing at Mr. Prescott, smiled a satisfied sort of smile.
“He,” said John Bradford, “came from Massachusetts. He said that they used to fish up iron out of ponds with tongs such as oyster dredgers use.”
“Honest and true!” broke in Billy.
“Fact, Billy. Don’t interrupt,” said Mr. Prescott, shaking his head at Billy.
“He said,” continued John Bradford, “that, many a time, he had fished up half a ton a day.”
“That bog ore,” said Dr. Crandon, “is very interesting. It is deposited by infusoria—gaillonella ferruginea,” he added, trying to speak very professionally, though the corners of his mouth were twitching with fun.
Seeing that Billy was regarding him rather critically, he went on:
“You see, young chap, that there is iron almost everywhere; and it is very soluble in water, so it naturally goes into ponds; and those tiny animals in some way make it over into bog ore.
“The senior doctor was talking with me, the other day, about giving you some iron.”
“What for?” asked Billy abruptly.