“These rivers are typical of men and of nations.  Some meet no obstruction; they glide on, gaining in wealth and power; at last, they become in one way a blessing, in another a terror; but in the meantime, they grow corrupt because of the world’s contact; and so pass, gross and discolored, into eternity.

“Others have lives that are one long struggle unheard-of obstacles are ever rising in their paths, but they fight on and on, and when at last their course is run, those who trace them through their careers, with uncovered heads are bound to say that they kept their integrity to the last, and that all the world’s discouragements could not disarm their power, break their courage, or dim the clear mirror of their purity.”

Sedgwick ceased speaking, but after a moment, looking up, he added:  “Not very far from the sources of these two streams, there is another fountain in the hills, out of which flows another stream as large and fair as either of the others.  It, too, goes tumbling down the mountain gorge, increasing in volume, until it strikes the valley, then grows less and less in size, until a few miles below it disappears in the sands.

“This, too, is typical of men and nations.  They begin life buoyant and brave; they rush on exultingly at first, but the quicksands of vice or crime or disease are before them, and they sink and leave no name.

“The man or nation that is to be great must be born great.  Those who succeed are those who are guided into channels which make success possible.

“The strength of the modern world rests on the modern home.  That did not come of rich mines or fields, but of the sovereign genius of the men of northern Europe; and the glory was worked out amid poverty, hardships and sorrows.”

But the voyage was over at last, and the two miners hastened to take the train for the home of Browning in Devonshire.  They arrived at the village at midnight and went to a hotel, or, as Sedgwick said:  “This, Jack, is han Hinglish Hinn, is it?”

Next day was Sunday and Browning was up early.  He said to Sedgwick:  “Wait until I go and prospect the croppings about here a little.  It is a good while since I was on this lead, and I want to see how it has been worked since I went away.”

He came back in half an hour a good deal worked up.  “Do you know, Jim,” he said, “by Jove, they are all gone!  That old step-father has ’gone pards with old Jenvie, and they have all moved to London, and are running a banking and brokerage establishment.  I have their address and we will chase them up to-morrow, but I do not like the look of things at all.  Why, Rose Jenvie in one season in London would blossom out and shine like a gold bar.”

“Stuff,” answered Sedgwick.  “In Texas we always noticed that if we ever turned out a blood mare she was sure to pick up the sorriest old mustang on the range for a running mate.  Your Rose would be more apt to pick up a husband here than in London for the first two or three years she might be there.”