"Ah, you're Irora the Comstock Lode!
How are the mines working now, sir?"
"Beroud all expectation, the richest
lode In the world. But the storm still
rages, and that poor mare of mine needs
some care. I've rode hard to-day, and,
but for the storm, would have made
San Francisco my stopping place. Let
us drink, and let the storni take care of
itself."
The miner shivered as he looked out
Into the night, aud drew a loug breath
of satisfaction that he was so securely
boused from the storm His dress was
the ordinary oue'of the miner in all its
ontward seeming; but as he threw off
an outer coat of pilot cloth, the white
htrt, stylish cut-waistcoat, and care
fully tiwl cravat, betrayed hi status at
a glance " . ,
Isaac Askew was one of be best met
allurgists on the coast ; arid to Ids skill
and energy the success of the new mines
at Gold Hill and Virginia City were
mainly due.'. Under hi management
the rich deposits of silver were brought
to the surface in immeuse quantities,
and his mine was becoming fatuous
throughout the land. He was now on
business relating to the company, and
carried a considerable sum of money on
his person.
