cheme that he rattled on with explanations of
how this or that might be accomplished, until Ralph began to look upon
sinking an oil well as mere child's play, and quite convinced that it
could easily be done, even without capital.

Both the boys were satisfied that there were no signs of oil in such
localities as they had examined the day previous, therefore there was no
occasion for them to do that work over again, and Bob began his labors
by starting through the wood-lot in an entirely different direction,
which brought them to a small stream, or marsh, which ran directly
across the land.

The water-course, if such it could be called, was nearly dried up, but
Bob showed every signs of delight at finding it so easily, and said to
Ralph, as he began to wade along its course, regardless alike of wet
feet or mud-plashed clothing:

"Here is where we shall find the first signs, if there is any oil around
here. Follow me, and sing out when you see any greasy-looking water in
these little pools."

It is quite probable that Ralph would have waded in streams which were
almost entirely covered with oil, and yet never have "sung out" once,
for he was at a loss to know how oil-covered water should look; but
before they had traveled twenty yards, Bob said, excitedly:

"Why don't you say something? I thought you would like to be the first
one to discover signs on your own land, so I have held my tongue for the
last five minutes, expecting to hear you shout."

"But what shall I say?" asked Ralph, in surprise. "I haven't seen any
oil yet."

"Well, you're a fine prospector, you are!" and Bob looked at his
companion as if in the most perfect amazement that he did not understand
fully the business which he had had no experience in. "What do you call
_that_?" and Bob pointed to the water-pools that were covered with
something which showed different colors, not unlike a soap-bubble.

"I've seen that queer-looking water for some time," replied Ralph,
innocently; "but that isn't oil."

"You may think so," said Bob, with a laugh, "but you let some of these
oil operators from Bradford see that, and then it would do your heart
good to hear them offer you big prices for the land. That's oil, my boy,
and it shows up as plain as the nose on your face. We'll follow this
swale up until we find where the oil ceases, and then I'll show you a
place where you can sink a well without a possibility of losing any
money by the operation."

Ralp