Now, you must have noticed that most of the outcropping rock around here is of a very refractory kind ?" "Yes," nodded Hazelton.
"Then, of course, you realize that for at least a hundred feet down in the mine the rock that would be found would be the same." "Undoubtedly." "So, Harry, I was figuring on a way to blast ore rock out whenever we should find refractory stuff down a shaft or in the galleries or tunnels of a mine." "Fine, isn't it ?" retorted Hazelton.

"A great scheme! You blast out the rock and the force of the explosion shoots all the fine particle of gold into the walls of the mine---just the way you'd pepper a tree with birdshot!" Mr.Dunlop had drawn close and now stood smiling broadly.
"That appears to be one on you, Reade," suggested the mine promoter.
"That's what I want to find out," returned Tom soberly; "whether I'm a discoverer, or just a plain fool." "What do you think about it ?" "Let's go and look at the ledge, and then I can tell you, sir," Reade answered, striding forward.
"Look out!" cautioned Joe Timmins.

"Those hyenas will shoot.
They'll be sore over the trick you played on them, and they'll be hiding waiting for a chance for a shot." "Oh, bother the hyenas," Tom retorted, impatiently.

"I'm out for business today.

Coming, Mr.Dunlop ?" The mine operator showed signs of hanging back.
Harry promptly joined his chum at what was left of the little ledge.
After a few moments Mr.Dunlop, seeing that no shots were fired, stepped over there also, followed by his nephew.