This time Nicolas slipped up on the front seat of the car beside the chauffeur. The car traveled at a high rate of speed over the rough road.
"It must cost you a mint of money for tires and repairs, not to speak of new cars," laughed Tom, after he had been bounced up two feet in the air as the automobile ran over a rough place in the road.
"Pouf! What does it matter, to a man who owns El Sombrero?" smiled Don Luis Montez.
"I am answered," Tom agreed. "The price of a few imported cars cannot matter much to you."
"How many better mines than El Sombrero have you seen?" questioned the mine owner, leaning forward.
"None," said Tom, promptly.
"If all days' indications are as good as those of to-day," Harry added.
"To-day has been but a poor day at the mine," murmured Dr. Tisco.
"Then El Sombrero is indeed a marvel," Tom declared.
"It is a very rich mine," nodded Don Luis. "Yet there may be richer ones, in these mountains, yet undiscovered."