The report was a plausible and highly colored one.
It was lengthy in detail, and prophesied a brilliant future for Lombard Deeps. Ogilvie and Rycroft, both assayers of knowledge and experience, declared that they had carefully examined the lodes, that they had struck four veins of rich ore yielding, after crushing, an average of six ounces to the ton, and that the extent and richness of the ore was practically unlimited.
They spent several days over this document, and at last it was finished.
“I shall take the next mail home,” said Ogilvie, standing up after he had read his own words for the twentieth time.
“Sign first,” replied Rycroft. He pushed the paper across to Ogilvie.
“Yes, I shall go to-morrow morning,” continued Ogilvie. “The Sahara sails to-morrow at noon?”
“I believe so; but sign, won’t you?”
Ogilvie took up his pen; he held it suspended as he looked again at his companion.
“I shall take a berth on board at once,” he said.