They rushed the share market, and in
two weeks the Magpie Reef shares ran from four shillings to as many
pounds. Vandeloup intended to sell at one pound, but when he saw the
rapid rise and heard everyone talking about this Reef, which was to
be a second Long Tunnel, he held his shares till they touched four
pounds, then, quite satisfied with his profit, he sold out at once
and pocketed nearly ten thousand pounds, so that he was provided for
the rest of his life. The shares ran up still higher, to four pounds
ten shillings, then dropped to three, in consequence of certain
rumours that the pocket of gold was worked out. Then another rich
lead was struck, and they ran up again to five pounds, and
afterwards sank to two pounds, which gradually became their regular
price in the market. That Barraclough and his friend did well was
sufficiently proved by the former taking a trip to Europe, while his
friend bought a station and set up as a squatter. They, however,
never knew how cleverly M. Vandeloup had turned their conversation
to his advantage, and that young gentleman, now that he had made a
decent sum, determined to touch gold mining no more, and, unlike
many people, he kept his word.
Now that he was a man of means, Vandeloup half decided to go to
America, as a larger field for a gentleman of his brilliant
qualities, but the arrival of Madame Midas in Melbourne made him
alter his mind.
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