Guided by information which Mr. Jenkins had furnished, the party went from place to place, exposing here and there the underlying strata of rock.
Investigations were not completed until the sun had sunk beneath the western horizon and the gray of evening began to steal over the landscape.
"Well, Mr. Strang," said Mr. Somers, turning toward the mineralogist, "what is your opinion?"
The expert removed his glasses, carefully replacing them in their case.
"For your sake, Mr. Somers," he replied, "I am glad to say that, to my mind, your land represents a fortune."
"In which case," said Mr. Somers, turning to the boys, "I have to thank the Ramblers. But for you, the land would not now be in my possession."
On a pleasant evening, a few days after the party had returned to Kingswood, the Rambler Club, the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Somers, sat in the big dining-room of Pembroke Hall.
"Boys," said Mr. Somers, at the conclusion of the repast, rising to his feet, "I feel that I owe you a great deal, and in recognition of your services, have decided to make you an offer. I want you to decide among yourselves what you would like me to give you to replace the 'Rambler.' Think it over."
The boys clapped their hands, thanked him heartily, and Dave Brandon voiced the sentiment of all when he declared that the prospects of the Rambler Club were bright indeed.