Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/74

 latter off with the point of his jack-knife and placing it in Mr. De Vere's hand, said, in the tone of a seasoned miner, "You have struck it rich, Mr. De Vere, and I congratulate you. It may not run far like that, but the chances are that it will. I never saw anything equal to it. Point Wawanda is literally filled with gold veins. That is the lode cropping out nearly to the top."

Stepping up to the young man whose eyes beamed with such unselfish pleasure, Mr. De Vere placed his hands on his shoulders and said: "Will you accept the position of superintendent of the Hernando Mine?"

"I will gladly accept the position, but would prefer another name."

"What name is more appropriate than the name of its discoverer?" replied Mr. De Vere warmly.

"None; but who is the discoverer?"

Mr. De Vere was silent for a moment and Hernando continued, "Pardon me for suggesting, but much as I appreciate your wish to perpetuate my name, it would give me far