260 MARTIN RATTLER.

thousands 0’ pounds; but the biggest they iver found
since I comed here was not worth more than four
hundred.”

“And what do you do with them, Barney, when
they are found?” inquired Martin.

“ Sind them to Rio Janeiro, lad, where my employer
sells them. I don’t know how much he makes a year
by it, but the thing must pay, for he’s very liberal
with his cash, and niver forgits to pay wages. There’s
always a lot o’ gould-dust found in the bottom o’ the
bateia after each washing, and that is carefully
collected and sold. But, arrah! I wouldn’t give wan
snifter o’ the say-breezes for all the di’monds in Brazil!”

As Barney said this he entered his cottage and
flung down his hat with the air of a man who was
resolved to stand it no longer.

“But why don’t you wash on your own account ?”
cried Martin. “What say you—shall we begin to-
gether? We may make our fortune the first week,
perhaps !”

Barney shook his head. “No, no, boy; Pve no
faith in my luck with the di’monds or gould. Never-
theless I have hear’d o’ men makin’ an awful heap o’
money that way, partiklarly wan man that made his
fortin with wan stone.” —

“Who was that lucky dog?” asked Martin.