"
The gravity with which the old man uttered these words impressed
the engineer, who was not far from sharing his sentiments.
They were those of the sailor who leaves his disabled vessel--
of the proprietor who sees the house of his ancestors pulled down.
He pressed Ford's hand; but now the latter seized that of
the engineer, and, wringing it:
"That day we were all of us mistaken," he exclaimed. "No! The old
mine was not dead. It was not a corpse that the miners abandoned;
and I dare to assert, Mr. Starr, that its heart beats still."
"Speak, Ford! Have you discovered a new vein?" cried the engineer,
unable to contain himself. "I know you have! Your letter could
mean nothing else."
"Mr. Starr," said Simon Ford, "I did not wish to tell any
man but yourself."
"And you did quite right, Ford. But tell me how, by what signs,
are you sure?"
"Listen, sir!" resumed Simon. "It is not a seam that I have found."
"What is it, then?"
"Only positive proof that such a seam exists."
"And the proof?"
"Could fire-damp issue from the bowels of the earth if coal
was not there to produce it?"
"No, certainly not!" replied the engineer. "No coal, no fire-damp.
No effects without a cause."
"Just as no smoke without fire."
"And have you recognized the presence of light carburetted hydrogen?"
"An old miner could not be deceived," answered Ford.
Pages:
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63