You know perfectly well there are no rich mines here--of course you do.

Because you have been around and examined for yourselves.

Anybody would know that, that had been around.

But just for the sake of argument, suppose--in a kind of general way--suppose some person were to tell you that two-thousand-dollar ledges were simply contemptible--contemptible, understand--and that right yonder in sight of this very cabin there were piles of pure gold and pure silver--oceans of it--enough to make you all rich in twenty-four hours! Come!" "I should say he was as crazy as a loon!" said old Ballou, but wild with excitement, nevertheless.
"Gentlemen," said I, "I don't say anything--I haven't been around, you know, and of course don't know anything--but all I ask of you is to cast your eye on that, for instance, and tell me what you think of it!" and I tossed my treasure before them.
There was an eager scramble for it, and a closing of heads together over it under the candle-light.

Then old Ballou said: "Think of it?
I think it is nothing but a lot of granite rubbish and nasty glittering mica that isn't worth ten cents an acre!" So vanished my dream.