"Ye must ken that the Indians kenned more of this country than we do, having lived here longer," said Hugh, as he raked a brand from the fire and lit his pipe; and then without pausing for an answer he continued: "I have read much for a backwoodsman and know of how the spirit of jealousy has ruled nations as well as people. The same spirit of jealousy that led the Asiatics to conceal from Europeans their arts and sciences is within the Indian breast. The Ph[oe]necians, so I have read, hid so truly their art of making their beautiful colour called Ph[oe]necian purple that to-day we know nothing of it. The pyramids to-day are monuments of the lost sciences of the ancients. There is much wealth in the hills of the country, known to the Indian alone. Father thought the same as I did and was convinced of it by a wound he received in an Indian expedition with the famous Sam Brady. His wound was probed and the bullet ye see tied to the old lock by a cord was the one taken out of the wound." Both examined the silver bullet that was attached to the lock of "Old Thump." "He found the mine. Then you know its location, Mr. Lark?" "Perhaps we had best have an understanding first, before I say much more. If ye are agreed to give me a fair share with yourselves we will go ahead." "We are perfectly agreed, and more. If you give my friend, Dick, a share, I desire nothing." Hugh looked mystified at Ande and said partly in the Scotch dialect, "And ye're not after the siller yoursel'?" Ande seeing that he must explain, related the tale of his grandfather's dishonour, and Hugh, with various nods and puffs, listened.