“It’s metallurgy, father says,” said Joe, correcting him.
“Never mind; it’s chemistry all the same; and we must read more about it, and try experiments. Why, we might get gold and silver.”
“What, out of a tin mine?” said Joe, derisively.
“Well, why not? I don’t know about the gold, but we may, perhaps. Sam Hardock said there were some specks in one bit of quartz he brought up.”
“But we shouldn’t want specks; we should want lumps.”
“There’s sure to be silver.”
“Why?” said Joe.
“Because there’s lead, and I was reading with father about how much silver you can get by purifying the lead. It’s going to be a wonderful business.”
“Hope so,” said Joe; “but they’re a precious long while getting the machinery together, and my father says the cost is awful.”
“Can’t get a great pump in a mine ready to work like you can one in a back kitchen,” said Gwyn. “See what an awkward job it is fitting the platforms for the tubing. I think they’re doing wonders, seeing what a lot there is to get ready. Sam says, though, that he believes they’ll begin pumping next month.”