and they galloped down the steep trail, forded the Snake River, and,
skirting the shore of Jenny's Lake, soon found themselves gazing up
the headlong slopes and dizzy parapets of the Grand Teton. Dr. Syx led
them by a steep ascent to the mouth of the canyon, above one of whose
walls stood his mill, and where the "Champ! Champ!" of a powerful
engine saluted their ears.



IV

THE WEALTH OF THE WORLD

An electric light shot its penetrating rays into a gallery cut through
virgin rock and running straight towards the heart of the Teton. The
centre of the gallery was occupied by a narrow railway, on which a few
flat cars, propelled by electric power, passed to and fro.
Black-skinned and silent workmen rode on the cars, both when they came
laden with broken masses of rock from the farther end of the tunnel
and when they returned empty.

Suddenly, to an eye situated a little way within the gallery, appeared
at the entrance the dark face of Dr. Syx, wearing its most
discomposing smile, and a moment later the broader countenance of
President Boon loomed in the electric glare beside the doctor's black
framework of eyebrows and mustache. Behind them were grouped the other
visiting financiers.

"This tunnel," said Dr. Syx, "leads to the mine head, where the
ore-bearing rock is blasted."