326 ALL ABOARD FOR SUNRISE LANDS.

to Uncle Nat and the boys the process of quartz-crushing:

“There, here is machinery for breaking up the rock taken from the
mine. We use stampers, as we call them, and they are worked
by steam. The quartz is thrown under the stampers and these break
the quartz into a powder in the midst of a current of water. By
that current the powder is swept away and carried over quicksilver,
which collects the gold. Then we place this ina retort, and separate
the gold. Perhaps these young ae would like to carry off a
little memento of the quartz.” :

The young gentlemen were very ee to do so. While Siah, J ack
Bobstay, the doctor and the ladies were remembered, it was a relief to
Rick to be able to carry home a specimen to the dusky monarch of the
ship’s kitchen.