Here we have not to work at an artesian well, narrow and dark, where all the boring implements have to work in the dark.

No; we can work under the open sky, with spade and pickaxe, and, by the help of blasting, our work will not take long." "Still," resumed Barbicane, "if by the elevation of the ground or its nature we can avoid a struggle with subterranean waters, we can do our work more rapidly and perfectly; we must, therefore, make our cutting in ground situated some thousands of feet above the level of the sea." "You are right, Mr.Barbicane, and, if I am not mistaken, we shall soon find a suitable spot." "I should like to see the first spadeful turned up," said the president.
"And I the last!" exclaimed J.T.

Maston.
"We shall manage it, gentlemen," answered the engineer; "and, believe me, the Goldspring Company will not have to pay you any forfeit for delay." "Faith! it had better not," replied J.T.

Maston; "a hundred dollars a day till the moon presents herself in the same conditions--that is to say, for eighteen years and eleven days--do you know that would make 658,000 dollars ?" "No, sir, we do not know, and we shall not need to learn." About ten a.m.the little troop had journeyed about twelve miles; to the fertile country succeeded a forest region.

There were the most varied perfumes in tropical profusion.