He fumbled with his hand in his pocket and drew out something before taking that which the American held out.
“Humph, yes,” he said: “mine’s just the same. Bit which has come down from the face of the cliff somewhere. I say, there’s no mistake about it, Squire Briscoe: this is rich in gold.”
“Ah, would you!” cried the American sharply; “who said we weren’t to mention that?”
“I said so,” replied the captain drily. “Don’t talk so loud. But this sets a man thinking, eh, Sir Humphrey and Mr Brace: and, you see, gold is gold, after all.”
Chapter Thirty Eight.
A Double Discovery.
No more was said about the gold ore then, but the captain showed himself deeply interested in the proceedings to further investigate the ruined city. Briscoe, though, made one remark to Brace the next morning after a restful night.
“If this isn’t the Spaniards’ El Dorado,” he said, “it’s quite good enough to be, and I’m quite satisfied with our find.”