octor. "But come in, Duncan, the
tea's waiting, and I want a cup myself."

"And I am regularly tired out," cried my father. "Here, Sam, feed the
pony well, for he has worked hard."

Sam, who had heard the pony coming, took the rein and led it off to the
stable, while I followed my father into the little parlour, where the
doctor caught him by the arm.

"Here's the specimen, father," I said; but he did not turn his head, for
the doctor was speaking to him.

"Did you get the deeds?" he said.

"Chowne, you're as good as a witch," cried my father.

"Why?"

"As I came out of the lawyer's office, who should I see but old Jonas
Uggleston coming along the street, and as I went into the hotel I saw
him turn in where I had been."

"But did you get the deeds?" cried the doctor.

"Specimen, Sep?" said my father. "Oh, that's it, is it? Well, it
doesn't look worth all this trouble."

"Duncan, what a man you are!" said Doctor Chowne pettishly. "I've said
twice over, Did you get the deeds?"

"I beg your pardon, Chowne. Yes, of course. He wanted to put me off,
said I'd better let them stop with him, and that there was no hurry, and
that a little endorsing was wanted."

"Oh, of course!" said the doctor.

"But when he saw that I was in earnest, and that I meant to wait for
them, he set to work and got the business done--that is, all that was
wanted. In fact, it was a mere nothing."

"And he wanted to keep them in his charge unsigned, with the chance of
making more of the estate to somebody else if that somebody else turned
up."

"Jonas Uggleston to wit?" said my father.

"Exactly. Duncan, old fellow, you see that you were just in time."

"That's what I felt, Chowne; but there the deeds are safe and sound; the
Gap is thoroughly mine--my freehold."

"And you may congratulate yourself on being the owner of a valuable lead
and silver mine."

"Then you feel sure of that, Chowne?" said my father, who seemed quite
overcome.

"I am certain of it; but of course I can't say what is the quantity."

"Silver?"

"Probably. Lead, certain."

"Then, Sep, my boy--" cried my father excitedly, catching me by the
shoulder.

"Yes, father," I said.

I believe now that my father was going to say something about my growing
up to be a rich man; but he checked himself, and only said quietly:

"Come and sit down to tea."

CHAPTER TEN.

WE BALE THE ROCK POOL.

Now there was very little done during the rest of our