The quartz held great veins of pure gold. There seemed a vast ledge of it in the vicinity.
It was a treasure beyond estimate.
The explorers went wild over it.
No matter what a man’s circumstances, the discovery of gold is not without its delirium.
“It will make our fortunes beyond all doubt!” cried Roger.
“So it would,” agreed Frank, “but I fear we shall not carry much of it away.”
“Why?”
“Because we have no quartz mill to crush out the gold.”
This was true.
Of course the quartz could be removed and ground in some stamp mill at home.