CHAPTER VII.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 November 1903, Page 109

CHAPTER VII.

Refractory Ore

Potter found his deficiency in social respects amply made up by his wife. She persuaded him to sell the Hotel, and to put a manager in the store, and she prepared him to stand for Parliament. She had visions of being the wife of an M.H.R. and of seasons in Wellington, and she worked and planned. But even in this she was too clever. A hotel is a much better stand-by in Colonial politics than a woman's craft, and Potter's social advancement had sent him ahead of certain voters. Potter's ardour was roused, and he fought well, fought not only for ambition's sake, but for more. His business affairs which had been so prosperous began to change. A summer fire, lighted by some Maori gumdigger, swept away both his timber and his mill. ' The store under new management, and against new competition, ceased to be profitable ; and worst of all, the mine which had yielded him such handsome profits began to fail in its returns ; as the lower levels were reached the reef changed its character, and became what is called " refractory "—that is, it ceased to he free milling ore giving free gold, and became highly mineralised. It still assayed high ; . but the battery process could not save more than 20 per cent, of the bullion value, and all the while his expenditure increased. Social advantages are costly tilings in the Colony, and a political campaign absorbs much money. Potter tried in his own practical way to improve the of gold from the quartz ; but it was a chemical problem, and he was no

chemist. He engaged so-called experts and they experimented ; but only gave him large bills for services. He, recognised well how things were going, but he kept his knowledge to himself. His thoughts turned often to the reef in Steel's Drive, but a horrible fear took possession of him whenever he thought of that. If the drive .were •opened ; if the reef were worked, Steel's remains would be found, and then there would be an inquiry, and he felt that enquiry would mean an accusation of Murder. All his actions seemed to accuse him — the letter, he had shewn to the Waitui people ; his taking possession of the mine. Nay, more than once he had felt that there was a suspicion abroad. At his political meetings, one of his bitter opponents had called out-" Who stole Bill Steel's Mine ? "-" Who took Bill Steel's house ? " True, it was only drunken old Mulligan, whom he had dismissed from his position as underground Boss because he was untrustworthy, but then Mulligan had worked for Steel, and he might know something, and there were other enemies. A man cannot be successful, and advance socially, and enter into politics, without making enemies.

Potter wrote to his wife who was visiting in Auckland, and explained something of his affairs. She received the news badly, so badly that her letter made Potter recognise what evil financial disaster would mean to him. She told him that Evelyn had the social catch of the season at her feet, a Mr. Lord, with abundance of money— and that for the girl's sake she intended to keep up appearances to the full. Potter brooded in his lonely house and planned futile plans in his office. Ruin stared him in the face, and there was golden treasure within his reach. Within his reach, yes, but it was guarded by a dead man's bones and the shadow of a sin. If -only Henry would come, he would confess all, and trust to the lad for -forgiveness and help ; but Henry

did not come, he had kept silent for years, and Mrs. Potter had persistently argued that he was dead. One scheme and one only seemed feasible ; and that was to find a method of extracting a larger percentage of bullion from the quartz. A friend of Potter's told him that a firm in Colorado was dealing largely with such ore as his, and making a big profit, so he wrote to this firm sending them samples of the quartz, and asked them to engage a man who could treat it. He received a reply in the course of time, saying that ' a Mr. Heel, M.1.M.E., who had been in charge of several big mines in the States, was just the man for him, and had accepted the terms mentioned. " One of those infernal German experts," thought Mr. Potter on reading the letter. In due time the expert arrived. He was a tall, fair man, with a handsome yellow beard and moustache, and wore goggles. Mr. Potter, who met him at the steamer, took a liking to him at once, and invited him to share his bachelor establishment. "My wife and daughter live in Auckland, this place is too quiet for them, but I can make you fairly comfortable," he explained. Mr. Heel accepted the invitation. He examined the mine and the plant very carefully, and at the end of a few days gave his report. " The whole plant will require altering ; you will have to concentrate the sulphides, and either treat them or send them away to Swansea ; they contain a large percentage of gold ; you will require a Cyanide plant to treat your tailings ; for the gold is in a fine state of division which the ordinary battery tables will not save." " What'll be the cost ? " asked Mr. Potter. "It will cost at least £7,000," was the reply. " Phew," whistled Mr. Potter. " But," said Mr. Reel, " there is a large part of your claim still unprospected. You may get other

runs of free gold on the upper levels further South."

that body should be discovered in the old workings. " I must think over the matter," he said. That night he did what he had tried to do for months past, he wrote to his wife, asking her to give up the town establishment and return to Leaderville. He received an angry and indignant reply, still his commands were obeyed, and Mrs. Potter and Evelyn returned to Waitui. The only thing that reconciled Mrs. Potter to this change was the fact that Evelyn had refused the match of the season.

" It will cost money to prospect," said Mr. Potter. " Still," and he hesitated. The thought of the run of gold in Steel's Drive, and of his old mate lying among the rich specimens in the winze rose in his mind. He could not command £7,000, he could not keep the mine going many more weeks. The only chance of retrieving his financial position was by a rich find, and necessity almost overcame his dread of some awful revelations if

(to be continued )