“A nice adventure this,” he said, “when I had come out for a quiet day!”
He drew the crystal from his breast, and held it up for Saxe to see.
“But it’s so black-looking,” cried the latter, as he took hold of the great dark crystal, pure-looking and clear as its name suggested, while every angle was sharp and perfect as if it were the production of that very day.
“Black?” said Dale. “So much the better. It is a very valuable kind, and there are plenty more. As far as I could make out, some are very large. Saxe, my lad, we must not think of the trouble and danger, for we both have been in great peril, and I talked lightly just to keep up your spirits,—I say we must not think of the troubles, for you have made a marvellous find, and I congratulate you.”
“Then you are satisfied?” said Saxe eagerly.
“More than satisfied. You could not have done better. Now to secure our find. We must not leave the rope there, because that would betray the place.”
“But nobody ever comes here.”
“We hope nobody has been here, my boy; but, according to my experience, somebody will be sure to come now and find it.”
“But how are we to get the rope up again if we take it down?”
“We shall have to scheme it somehow, my lad. What man has done I have no doubt he can do again.”