Every word of that story was of the greatest interest to the listener, but when they told him about the gold and the diamonds, and showed him their specimens, he must needs jump up from the chair and once more shake hands all round.
"Boys," he said, "you have made your fortunes. I do not mean to say that it is here, but there are more diamonds and there is more gold where these came from.
"Leave it to me, lads, but you may give yourselves the credit of being brave pioneers to a country bound, in the not far distant future, to be one of the richest and greatest in the world.
"As soon as we get back once more," he continued, "to the shores of Britain, we shall set about forming a great company, and this will speedily open up a road to your Goo-goo land, and open up the "debbil pits" also, in spite of all that wretched king shall urge against it."
"But we shall not call it Goo-goo Land," said Frank.
"No? Well, I shall leave the naming of it to you."
Then something very faint in the shape of a blush suffused the young fellow's cheeks for a moment.
"You know, Captain Talbot," he said, "my dear cousins know also how fond of little Flora I am!"
"Oh! she won't be so little by the time we get home," said Conal, laughing.
"Well, anyhow, when she grows bigger and grows a little older, she shall be my wife.