Horatio Alger

“ Rodney wondered how these rich deposits had failed to attract the attention of his captors, but he soon settled upon the conclusion that they had no knowledge of mines or mining, and were ignorant of the riches that were almost in their grasp.
"Shall I enlighten them?" he asked himself. ”

“ We must now follow the messenger who had gone to Oreville with a letter from Rodney's captors.
As instructed, he left his horse, or rather Rodney's, tethered at some distance from the settlement and proceeded on foot to the Miners' Rest. His strange appearance excited attention and curiosity. Both these feelings would have been magnified had it been known on what errand he came.
"Where can I find Mr. Jefferson Pettigrew?" he asked of a man whom he saw on the veranda.
"At the Griffin Mine," answered the other, removing the pipe from his mouth.
"Where is that?"
"Over yonder. Are you a miner?" ”

“ It would be as much as my life is worth."
"Humph, well! I suppose you must be faithful to your employer. Do you know that these men want me to pay five thousand dollars for the return of the boy?"
"Yes, I heard them talking about it." ”