CHAP. X.

MIDDLE AGES.

by instalments as the work advanced, and toreceive one half the profit of the mine.

Lady Mary departed from Madrid for Gua-dalcanal , to which miners and engines had beensent from England at her expense, and at thatof her relation Mr. Gage, who accompanied her,and of her father the marquis. The instalmentswere paid regularly by the company, and thedraining of the mines proceeded simultaneously,when disputes arose. The Spaniards insisted thatthe lady had engaged to clear away the mud,whilst she contended that she had only con-tracted to clear the mine of water. A lawsuitwas instituted, and the payments of the companywere suspended.

Her ladyship now prosecuted the work on herown account, and advanced to a depth in whichthe richest minerals were supposed to be; whenshe presented a judicial request that a portionof the ore should be taken up, smelted in thepresence of the court, and its value ascertainedand attested. A decree was issued appointing theexamination. Ore of the weight of forty poundswas taken from one of the galleries, which pro-duced ten pounds thirteen ounces of pure silver.This specimen, which was handed about in avery ostentatious manner and shown to the king,who happened at that time to be at Seville ,seemed to justify beyond all doubt the reputationof the mine for great riches. It was, however,