"Hark ye, Concho," he said, "that bit of medicine I gave you just now was worth a dollar, it was worth a dollar because the material of which it was composed was made from the stuff you have in that can,--quicksilver or mercury.

It is one of the most valuable of metals, especially in a gold-mining country.
My good fellow, if you know where to find enough of it, your fortune is made." Concho rose to his feet.
"Tell me, was the rock you built your furnace of red ?" "Si, Senor." "And brown ?" "Si, Senor." "And crumbled under the heat ?" "As to nothing." "And did you see much of this red rock ?" "The mountain mother is in travail with it." "Are you sure that your comrades have not taken possession of the mountain mother ?" "As how ?" "By claiming its discovery under the mining laws, or by pre-emption ?" "They shall not." "But how will you, single-handed, fight the four; for I doubt not your scientific friend has a hand in it ?" "I will fight." "Yes, my Concho, but suppose I take the fight off your hands.

Now, here's a proposition: I will get half a dozen Americanos to go in with you.

You will have to get money to work the mine,--you will need funds.
You shall share half with them.

They will take the risk, raise the money, and protect you." "I see," said Concho, nodding his head and winking his eyes rapidly.
"Bueno!" "I will return in ten minutes," said the Doctor, taking his hat.
He was as good as his word.