They all believed there was some conspiracy that the Englishman would not find the copper, and that they had been cruelly betrayed.
Mr.Geach then wrote to the Singapore merchant who was his employer, and it was arranged that he should send the mechanics home again, and himself explore the country for minerals.

At first the Government threw obstacles in his way and entirely prevented his moving; but at length he was allowed to travel about, and for more than a year he and his assistant explored the eastern part of Timor, crossing it in several places from sea to sea, and ascending every important valley, without finding any minerals that would pay the expense of working.

Copper ore exists in several places, but always too poor in quality.

The best would pay well if situated in England; but in the interior of an utterly barren country, with roads to make, and all skilled labour and materials to import, it would have been a losing concern.

Gold also occurs, but very sparingly and of poor quality.