Of the great discovery in Sylvan Silver Hollow it would seem that Collinson as yet knew nothing.

In spite of Key's fears that he might stray there on his return from Skinner's, he did not, nor did he afterwards revisit the locality.

Neither the news of the registry of the claim nor the arrival of Key's workmen ever reached him.

The few travelers who passed his mill came from the valley to cross the Divide on their way to Skinner's, and returned by the longer but easier detour of the stage-road over Galloper's Ridge.

He had no chance to participate in the prosperity that flowed from the opening of the mine, which plentifully besprinkled Skinner's settlement; he was too far away to profit even by the chance custom of Key's Sabbath wandering workmen.
His isolation from civilization (for those who came to him from the valley were rude Western emigrants like himself) remained undisturbed.
The return of the prospecting party to his humble hospitality that night had been an exceptional case; in his characteristic simplicity he did not dream that it was because they had nowhere else to go in their penniless condition.