“Yes,” he said, “let us eat by all means. Shall we come in the morning and examine this place, sir?”
“Yes, Bart, we will,” said the Doctor, as they turned back; “but I’m afraid we shall be disappointed. What was that?”
“An Indian,” said Bart. “I saw him glide amongst the rocks. Was it an enemy?”
“No; impossible, I should say,” replied the Doctor. “One of our own party. Our friends here would have seen him if he had been an enemy, long before we should.”
“And so you think there is no silver here, sir?” said Bart.
“I can’t tell yet, my boy. There may be, but these men know so little about such things that I cannot help feeling doubtful. However, we shall see, and if I am disappointed I shall know what to do.”
“Try again, sir?” said Bart.
“Try again, my boy, for there is ample store in the mountains if we can find it.”
“Yes,” he said, as they walked back, “this is going to be a disappointment.” He picked up a piece of rock as he went along between the rocks; “this stone does not look like silver-bearing stratum. But we’ll wait till the morning, Bart, and see.”