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 PLATINUM-NICKEL-
CHROMIUM DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY, EXPLORATION
AND RESERVE BASE

S.K. Haldar
Emeritus Scientist, Presidency University
Formerly Hindustan Zinc Limited,
Hindustan Copper Limited,
IMX Resources Limited, Perth

AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON

NEW YORK • OXFORD • PARIS • SAN DIEGO
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Elsevier
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To the Lotus Feet of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
 Author Biography

has taught mineral exploration to postgradu-

ate students of the department and often at
University of Calcutta and Indian School of
Mines, Dhanbad. He has been a consultant
with international exploration entities, namely,
Goldstream Mining NL/IMX Resources Ltd,
Australia, and Binani Industries Limited (BIL)
Infratech Ltd, India. His profession has often
required visits to mines and exploration camps
of Australia–Tasmania, Canada, the United
States, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, The
Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia,
Egypt, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jordan, and Israel.
He is a life fellow of The Mining Geological
and Metallurgical Institutes (MGMI) of India
and the Indian Geological Congress. Dr. Hal-
S.K. Haldar (Swapan Kumar Haldar) has dar is recipient of “Dr. J. Coggin Brown Memo-
been a practicing veteran in the field of Min- rial (Gold Medal) for Geological Sciences” by
eral Exploration and Metal Mining for the past MGMI. He has authored 40 technical papers
four and one-half decades. He received his and three books:
  
B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. degrees from Calcutta
1. E xploration Modeling of Base Metal
University and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute
Deposits, 2007, Elsevier.
of Technology, Kharagpur. The major part of
2. Mineral Exploration—Principles and
his career since 1966 has been focused on base
Applications, 2013, Elsevier.
and noble metals exploration/mining with
3. Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology,
short stopovers at Standard Oil (ESSO) Petro-
2014, Elsevier.
leum, Hindustan Copper Limited, and finally,   

Hindustan Zinc Limited, where he has under- Dr. Haldar has a unique professional blend
taken various technical roles and managerial of mineral exploration, evaluation, and mineral
responsibilities. Since 2003, he has been Emeri- economics with an essence of classroom teach-
tus Scientist with the Department of Applied ing of postgraduate students of three celebrated
Geology, Presidency University, K ­ olkata, and universities over the past decade.

ix
 Preface

I have no special talents, I am only passionately the processes of the Universe, and to understand
curious - Albert Einstein. how the mystic mother Earth hosts minerals and
   metals from the core to the crust for the bene-
When I was a postgraduate student at fit of birds, animals, and human beings. When
­ alcutta University in the mid-1960s, I did
C I first visited Sukinda chromite belt in 1964, it
my thesis on the Sukinda chromite deposits was a sleeping hamlet, gifted by nature’s love,
of Orissa, India. Mining for chromite had just with dense forests, mineral wealth, and peace-
begun in the country. The chromite belt was loving tribal people. There were three small
located in a valley between the Mahagiri and mines separated by kilometers and supported
the Daitari hill ranges. I was put up in a small by fewer than 100 employees. The economic
hut inside the boundary of the mining camp. interest in the area was only for small-scale
The area was a dense forest, populated by wild production of chromite ore for the indigenous
animals and a few tribal villages. I used to do market. M/s Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited
geological studies in the forest from early morn- (FACOR Ltd.), a few kilometers away in the
ing to late afternoon. No one was allowed to Nausahi chromium belt, produced a few tons.
step outside the mine’s fenced area once twilight I recently revisited the area, nearly after 50 years,
set in. No one could open the hut door at night. to bring my knowledge up-to-date about the pres-
Elephants regularly visited the villages for food ent chromium–nickel–platinum resources in the
and would destroy green banana plants. We wit- world. The present status of the project confirmed
nessed bear families fading away into the forest. my belief that lateritic nickel could not be econom-
Once, I experienced the smell of a tiger and saw ically extracted due to metallurgical complexities,
leftover food in a small cave. Lateritic nickel was and was happy to learn that platinum–palladium
discovered in the area by the Geological Survey do exist at Sukinda–Nausahi Belt. However, what
of India while I was there. My three months of I saw saddened me. There are more than 25 surface
fieldwork in the deep forest amid nature deci- and underground working mines separated by
sively influenced me forever. Back at the common boundaries. The forests have totally dis-
University, my thesis was highly acclaimed. appeared. The majestic Mahagiri range had been
Thereafter, I joined metal-mining corporate com- reduced greatly by bulldozing. Series of newly
panies (­copper–zinc–lead). Nevertheless, I could born hills appear parallel to Mahagiri range due
never forget that short stay in a remote mining to mine-waste dumping. Unpaved roads serve
camp with inadequate facilities and very few the movement of more than 1000 trucks daily for
modern comforts. I promised myself that I would transporting ore to distant ferrochrome factories
return to the platinum–nickel–chromite industry and seaports. The sky is gloomy throughout the
at an opportune phase and share my knowledge day due to the mine and road dust. Social evils,
with students and fellow professionals. crime, alcoholism, and other such abuses have
This first experience made a permanent and increased. This is the other side of the coin. We
passionate impact on me, to love nature, to learn have to balance between good and evil through

xi
xii Preface

proper self-protective education, counseling, and mission. I am deeply indebted to Finn for help-
training. Making stringent mine-safety rules is not ing me with information and innumerable pub-
the solution—it has to be implemented in the right lications throughout the writing of this book.
spirit. Otherwise, what will we leave for future Dr. Tom Evans, Executive Manager Explora-
generations? tion at Lonmin Plc, United Kingdom, Avinash
Five decades have passed between the two Sarin from Washington, D.C., and Soumi Haldar
visits. The demand and supply for chromite from Los Angeles enriched the pages with won-
has increased manyfold to cater to the needs of derful mineral images. I am delighted to work
domestic and international markets. The later- with Marisa LaFleur and Frank Tasha, Elsevier,
itic nickel resources are still under scientific and and thankful for their very positive attitude in
technological research and development without this journey.
any commercial breakthroughs. The presence of My heartfelt thanks to Mr. R. Venkatesan, Paul
platinum–palladium has been reported. This was Prasad Chandramohan and team of Elsevier for
how the present project was conceived. I was unique support to shape the book awesome.
interested in comparing with world-class depos- I am thankful to Presidency University, fac-
its like Bushveld chromite–platinum group met- ulty, and students for providing an academically
als (PGMs), South Africa, Sudbury nickel–copper, enriching environment. I extend my sincere
Canada, and a few new discoveries in Australia. thanks to all the mining camps: FACOR India
The project was initially supported by the Gov- Ltd., Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd., Tata Steel,
ernment of India’s Department of Science and and Department of Mines and Geology, and the
Technology (DST) under its Utilization of Scien- states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for extend-
tific Expertise of Retired Scientists Scheme HR/ ing support during my field visits to Sukinda–
UR/29/2007. The book has been partially funded Nausahi, Sittampundi, and Byrapur. All figures
by the financial support of DST, New Delhi. are drafted by my dear students: Subham Sarkar,
The book is primarily intended for academic Bidisha Dey, and Promita Bhar.
students of Applied Geology, faculty members, My humble gratitude to all the past and pres-
and researchers, geoscientists of exploration ent monks of Ramakrishna Math, Barisha, Kol-
companies, and investors. It is divided into 11 kata for their blessings in this journey.
chapters. Chapter 1 is a general introduction to I am short of words in expressing my emo-
precious metals including the PGMs–Nickel– tions for my wife, Swapna, for her continuous
Chromium. Chapter 2 deals with the host affin- inspiration, particularly at times of mental dis-
ity of these metals. Chapters 3–8 describe the tress, and for bringing me back to a working
occurrences/deposits/mines of six continents: mode. My family team—Srishti and Srishta
Africa, North America, South America, Asia, (grandchildren), Soumi (daughter), and Surat-
Oceania (including Australia), and Europe. The want (son-in-law) are always my source of moti-
remaining Chapters 9–11 give an overview of vation and happiness.
genetic aspects, exploration approach, and sta-
tus of in situ reserves and resource base includ- I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
ing characteristics of global deposits.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I visited all possible platinum group of ele- I took the one less traveled by,
ments (PGEs)–Ni–Cr-bearing areas in India for And that has made all the difference.
reconnaissance studies with Mr. Finn Barrett, Robert Frost, 1920
Exploration Geologist, IMX Resources Ltd.,   
Perth. It is my privilege and pleasure to acknowl-
Presidency University
edge my academic association with Finn over
Kolkta, April 19, 2016 S.K. Haldar
a decade that has inspired me to complete this
 List of Acronyms

GENERAL METAL AND MINERALS

BIC Bushveld Igneous Complex Ag Silver

Com. Complex Au Gold
DMG Department of Mines and Geology Co Cobalt
DST Department of Science and Cu Copper
Technology Chr Chromite
FACOR Ferro Alloys Corporation Ltd Cr Chromium
GS Geological Survey Ir Iridium
g/t grams/tonne Ni Nickel
IMFA Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Os Osmium
Limited PGM/E Platinum Group of Metals/
IBM Indian Bureau of Mines Minerals/Elements
Int. Intrusive Pd Palladium
MECL Mineral Exploration Corporation Pt Platinum
Limited Rh Rhodium
ML Mining Lease Ru Ruthenium
Mt Million tonnes
MYB Mineral Year Book
PGE Platinum Group of Elements
PGM Platinum Group of Metals
PL Prospecting License
ppb parts per billion
ppm parts per million
OIG Iron Ore Group
OMC Orissa Mining Corporation Limited
ROM Run of Mine
RP Reconnaissance Permit
t tonnes
tpa/d tonnes per annum/day
SIC Sudbury/Stillwater Igneous
Complex
SUC Sukinda Ultramafic Complex
USGS/USBM United States Geological Survey/
United States Bureau of Mines

xiii
 C H A P T E R

1
Introduction
O U T L I N E

1.1 Preamble 2 1.3.4 Minerals of Copper 13

1.3.4.1 Azurite 13
1.2 The Metals 2
1.3.4.2 Malachite 14
1.2.1 Platinum Group of Metals 4
1.3.4.3 Bornite 14
1.2.2 Nickel 6
1.3.4.4 Chalcocite 14
1.2.3 Chromium 7
1.3.4.5 Chalcopyrite 14
1.2.4 Copper 7
1.3.4.6 Covellite 15
1.2.5 Gold and Silver 8
1.3.4.7 Cuprite 15
1.2.6 Cobalt 8
1.3.5 Minerals of Gold and Silver 15
1.3 The Minerals 9 1.3.5.1 Sylvanite 15
1.3.1 Minerals of Platinum Group of Metals 9 1.3.5.2 Calaverite 15
1.3.1.1 Sperrylite 9 1.3.5.3 Krennerite 16
1.3.1.2 Braggite 9 1.3.5.4 Petzite 16
1.3.1.3 Cooperite 10 1.3.5.5 Argentite 16
1.3.1.4 Laurite 10 1.3.5.6 Chlorargyrite 16
1.3.1.5 Vysotskite 10 1.3.5.7 Pyrargyrite 17
1.3.1.6 Merenskyite 10 1.3.6 Minerals of Cobalt 17
1.3.1.7 Michenerite 10 1.3.6.1 Cobaltite 17
1.3.1.8 Moncheite 10 1.3.6.2 Skutterudite 17
1.3.1.9 Isoferroplatinum 11
1.4 Physical and Chemical Properties 18
1.3.1.10 Skaergaardite 11
1.3.2 Minerals of Nickel Group 11 1.5 Global Distribution 18
1.3.2.1 Millerite 11
1.6 Demand and Supply 30
1.3.2.2 Niccolite or Nickeline 11
1.6.1 Platinum Group of Metals 30
1.3.2.3 Pentlandite 12
1.6.2 Nickel 31
1.3.2.4 Pyrrhotite 12
1.6.3 Chromium 32
1.3.3 Minerals of Chromium 13
1.3.3.1 Chromite 13 1.7 Metal Price 32
1.3.3.2 Crocoite 13

Platinum-Nickel-Chromium Deposits
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802041-8.00001-8 1 Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
2 1. INTRODUCTION

1.8 Uses 32 1.8.5 Gold and Silver 34

1.8.1 Platinum Group of Metals 32 1.8.6 Cobalt 35
1.8.2 Nickel 33
1.9 Substitutes and Recycling 35
1.8.3 Chromium 34
1.8.4 Copper 34

1.1 PREAMBLE The metals platinum, nickel, and chromium

will be discussed in the same order throughout
This book will address three primary metals the book. The individual metal will often be sub-
and their associated metals. The primary metals stituted by its common ore-forming minerals for
are Platinum Group of Elements or Metals (PGE simple understanding in the geological domain.
or PGM), nickel, and chromium. The associated
metals include copper, gold, silver, and cobalt. The
platinum group consists of six metals and occurs 1.2 THE METALS
naturally in close association with one another
as well as with nickel, chromium, copper, and Platinum and palladium are comparatively
cobalt. The group of metals represents a unique more abundant in nature and commercially
geological process having a common source of the most significant precious metals of the
metal supply and a genetic model. The PGM is platinum group. The group comprises six rare
among the least abundant group of elements of metals including ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh),
the Earth’s element family. The working deposits palladium (Pd), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), and
in South Africa and Russia are by far the largest platinum (Pt). These elements stand for Groups
for the PGM. The nickel deposits are significant in 8 to 10 with position in the fifth and sixth rows of
Canada, United States, Australia, Africa, Brazil, the periodic table directly under iron (Fe), cobalt
New Caledonia, Philippines, Indonesia, and the (Co), and nickel (Ni). The position of the platinum
Caribbean. The largest chromite deposits are in group and associated metals (iron, cobalt, nickel,
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Turkey, copper, gold, silver, and chromium) is given in
Finland, and India. the Periodic Table (Fig. 1.1).

FIGURE 1.1 Position of platinum group of elements, nickel, chromium, copper, gold, silver, and cobalt in the periodic table.
 1.2 The Metals 3
All six members of the platinum group share affinity places them in the “chalcophile” (copper-
affinity to Fe, Co, and Ni with consequential loving) group of elements (Mungall, 2005a).
formation of metallic bonds over ionic bonds. The PGMs are naturally occurring rare metals,
This preferential tendency sets them in the sparsely distributed, and relatively costlier than
“siderophile” (iron-loving) group in the geo- gold and silver. The elements have similar phys-
chemical classification of elements (Box 1.1) ical properties and tend to occur together in an
(Ertel et al., 2008). The PGE, in addition, tends identical metallogenic environment.
to associate with copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and The metals gold, iridium, osmium, palladium,
gold (Au) to form covalent bonds with sulfur in platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, and silver are
preference to ionized bonds with oxygen. This most commonly considered the group of noble

B O X 1 . 1 G E O C H E M I C A L C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F
ELEMENTS
Geochemical classification is the subdivision or Cobaltite (CoAsS), and Loellingite (FeAs2)],
grouping of elements according to their joint con- sulfur {e.g., [Pentlandite (FeNi)9S8], and Molyb-
centration in preferred host phases in a particular denite (MoS2)}, carbon, phosphorus, and nitro-
natural system: gen. In nature, platinum occurs mainly in the
Lithophile (rock-loving): The lithophile elemental state. Siderophile elements often bond
elements are the fundamental source of rock- with chalcophile elements.
forming minerals of the Earth’s crust. The litho- The elements are bound through a metallic
phile elements include aluminum, astatine, boron, bond with iron in the Earth’s solid inner core.
barium, beryllium, bromine, calcium, c­ hlorine, Most of them are known for their rarity in the
chromium, cesium, fluorine, iodine, hafnium, Earth’s crust and recognized as precious metals.
potassium, l­ ithium, magnesium, sodium, Chalcophile (ore/copper/bronze-loving): The
n­iobium, oxygen, phosphorus, rubi­dium, scan- chalcophile elements predominantly represent
dium, silicon, strontium, tantalum, technetium, sulfide ores. The elements include antimony, arse-
thorium, titanium, uranium, vanadium, yttrium, nic, bismuth, cadmium, copper, gallium, germa-
zirconium, tungsten, and the lanthanides. The nium, indium, lead, mercury, polonium, selenium,
lithophile elements occur naturally as stable ions silver, sulfur, tellurium, thallium, tin, and zinc.
in the forms of s­ilicates, oxides, halides, phos- Chalcophile elements have low affinity for oxygen
phates, sulfates, and carbonates. except for tin [e.g., Cassiterite (SnO2)]. The natural
Siderophile (iron-loving): The siderophile ele- form of the occurrences of chalcophile elements is
ments include cobalt, gold, iridium, iron, manga- as sulfides, selenides, and tellurides. The elements
nese, molybdenum, nickel, osmium, palladium, silver, copper, arsenic, sulfur, and bismuth often
platinum, rhenium, rhodium, and ruthenium. occur in the elemental state.
The elements are high-density ferromagnetic and Atmophile (gas/volatile-loving): Atmophile
paramagnetic transi­tion metals that readily dis- elements occur as liquid or gaseous state and
solve in iron as a solid solution or in the molten mostly remain on or above the surface or in
state. The elements have no affinity with oxygen. atmosphere. The elements include all the inert
They exhibit strong chemical bonds with arse- gases from helium to radon, nitrogen, and
nic [e.g., Sperrylite (PtAs2), Chloanthite (NiAs2), hydrogen.
4 1. INTRODUCTION

metals. These noble metals are largely resistant and/or chromium. The value-added secondary
to oxidation and corrosion in moist air, unlike metals are copper, gold, silver, and cobalt.
most base metals such as iron, nickel, lead, zinc,
and copper. They are considered precious due
to their rarity in the Earth’s crust. The most 1.2.1 Platinum Group of Metals
common primary metals that are generally asso- Platinum with symbol (Pt) and an atomic
ciated with platinum group are copper, nickel, number of 78 in the Periodic Table is considered
“rich man’s gold.” The metal was discovered
by Antonio de Ulloa, a Spanish explorer, in
1735. The name “platinum” is derived from the
Spanish word “platina,” which literally means
tiny form of “plata” or “little silver.” The new
metal (Fig. 1.2) was found as large placer deposits
during the 16th century Spanish conquest of
South America. It was called “platina del Pinto”
after the Rio Pinto of Columbia. Platinum is
silver-white to steel-gray or dark-gray in color
and is lustrous. It is the most ductile among the
pure metals. It is a malleable transition metal
(Box 1.2) with a melting point at 1768°C. Pure
platinum is a little harder (4–4.5) on the Mohs
scale of hardness than pure iron (4). Platinum
is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust
(0.005 g/t), precious with high specific gravity
between 14 and 22. It is generally nonreactive
FIGURE 1.2 Native metals occur in their metallic forms, to oxidation, wear, and tarnish. This property
either as pure or as an alloy in nature—singly and/or in alloy makes it well suitable for fine jewelry. A famous
with lead, copper, gold, platinum, nickel, and cobalt. Native native platinum nugget was recovered from
platinum is one of the rarest and most precious metals in the the perfect circular, 8-km diameter Kondyor
Earth’s crust, and was discovered in the 18th century. The
platinum–palladium metals immensely contribute in pollution
Massif intrusion in Russia. Platinum is often
control of automobiles and marks the “Day of Love in Couple’s found in mining of secondary alluvial deposits
journey in life.” Avinash Sarin. in Colombia and the Ural Mountains, Russia.

B O X 1 . 2 T R A N S I T I O N M E TA L S
An explicit set of metallic elements within elements are present in more than one shell and
Groups 3 to 12 in the Periodic Table contains an often exhibit several common oxidation states. Iron,
incomplete inner electron shell and serves as cobalt, and nickel are the most significant members
transition links between the most and the least in the transition-metal family and are the only
electropositive series of elements. These metals common elements known to produce a magnetic
are characterized by multiple valence, colored field. The other metallic elements include platinum
compounds, and an ability to form stable complex group, chromium, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc,
ions. The electrons they use to combine with other tungsten, manganese, mercury, etc.
 1.2 The Metals 5
Platiniridium is a rare naturally occurring native extremely hard and brittle metal, silvery-white
platinum/iridium alloy (Ir,Pt). in color and considered a transition element of
Palladium, the second significant member the platinum family. It is the second-densest
in the PGMs, has a chemical symbol of (Pd) (22.56 g/cm3) element after osmium (22.59 g/
and an atomic number of 46 in the Periodic cm3). It is the most corrosion-resistant metal,
Table. Palladium was discovered by William even at high temperatures. It has a melting point
Hyde Wollaston in 1803 and named after the at 2410°C. Iridium is one of the least abundant
asteroid Pallas (goddess of wisdom) which was elements in the Earth’s crust, having an average
discovered at about the same time. It is a soft, mass fraction of 0.001 g/t in crustal rock. Metallic
malleable, ductile, silvery-white metal that iridium is closely associated with platinum and
resists oxidation and corrosion. Palladium other PGMs in alluvial deposits. Iridium is found
has the lowest melting point at 1,555°C and in nature as free element or as natural alloys of
lowest density (11.3–11.8 g/cm3) among the iridium–osmium that include “osmiridium” and
group. Its metal dust is flammable. Palladium is “iridosmine.” These alloys are mixtures of irid-
usually associated with platinum, nickel, copper, ium and osmium. The rare metals are recovered
and mercury ores. Palladium is commercially commercially as a byproduct from nickel min-
produced from nickel–copper deposits of South ing and processing. Significant primary sources
Africa and the Province of Ontario, Canada. The of iridium are in the Bushveld igneous complex
processing of large volumes of nickel–copper in South Africa, the large copper–nickel deposits
ore technically makes this extraction profitable near Noril’sk in Russia, and the Sudbury Basin
despite its low concentration in these ores. in Canada. Iron meteorites (Box 1.3), derived
Iridium is a rarely occurring natural element from small celestial bodies, are composed mostly
with chemical symbol of (Ir) and atomic number of iron, nickel, gallium, germanium, and iridium
of 77 in the Periodic Table. Iridium was discov- (Fig. 1.3). The impact of falling on the Earth’s
ered by the British chemist Smithson Tennani crust causes partial melting and concentration of
in 1803 and named from the Greek word “iris” valuable metals.
meaning “Goddess of rainbow” for the brilliant Osmium is the least-abundant transition metal
color of many of its compounds. Iridium is an in the Earth’s crust with chemical symbol (Os) and

BOX 1.3 METEORITE

Meteorites, small to extremely large size, are liquid differentiated into Ni–PGE-dominated
natural objects originating in outer space that fall contact deposits by crystallization. There are
onto the Earth creating a great surface impact. Most over 100 deposits/mines having a total resource,
meteorites are derived from small celestial bodies including past production, of 1648 million tonnes
as well as produced by the impacts of asteroids (or 1817 million tons) at ∼1% Ni, 1% Cu, and 1 g/t
from the solar system. Meteorites are composed of Pd + Pt.
silicate minerals and/or metallic iron–nickel. The Similarly, the Willamette meteorite in Oregon
structure of the igneous complex at the Sudbury State is the largest in North America and 6th
Mining District, Canada, was formed as the result largest iron–nickel meteorite in the World, and
of a meteorite (1850 Ma age) impact that produced contains 7.62% Ni, 18.6 g/t Ga, 37.3 g/t Ge, and
a 150–280 km multiring crater, containing 2–5 km 4.7 g/t Ir.
thick sheet of andesitic melt. The immiscible sulfide
6 1. INTRODUCTION

is high at 2334°C. Ruthenium usually occurs as a

minor component of platinum ores.
Rhodium is one of the rarest and most valu-
able precious metals. It has the chemical symbol
(Rh) and atomic number 45 in the Periodic Table.
The element was discovered by William Hyde
Wollaston, an English chemist, in 1803 soon after
his discovery of palladium and named after the
Greek word “rose.” Rhodium is silver-white
in color, hard, and a chemically inert transi-
tion metal and member of the platinum group.
Rhodium usually occurs naturally as free-metal
form or alloyed with metals of PGEs, and rarely
as minerals such as Bowiete [rhodium–iridium–
FIGURE 1.3 The iron–nickel rich meteorite contains +91% platinum mineral, ((Rh,Ir,Pt)2S3)] and Rhod-
iron, 7.62% nickel, 18.6 g/t gallium, 37.3 g/t germanium, and
plumsite [a rare rhodium–lead sulfide mineral,
4.7 g/t Iridium. Avinash Sarin.
(Rh3Pb2S2)]. Rhodium is a noble metal, resistant
to corrosion, found in platinum- or nickel ores
atomic number 76 in the Periodic Table. Osmium together with the other members of the plati-
was discovered by the British chemist Smithson num group metals.
Tennani in 1803 along with Iridium during the
same experiment. Osmium was named from the
Greek word “osme” meaning “smell.” Osmium
1.2.2 Nickel
is a hard, brittle and bluish-white metal in the The metal nickel reflects the technologi-
platinum group. Its metallic luster remains cal advances of the 20th and 21st centuries,
unaffected even at high temperature. The metal ­emerging as critically significant for s­tainless
has low compressibility. The metal is usually steel, a variety of specialty metal alloys, as well
found as an un-combined trace element or as as currency, chemicals, pigment, and b ­ atteries.
natural alloys, predominantly in platinum ores Nickel is a valuable transition metal with
as osmium–iridium alloy. Osmium is the densest chemical symbol (Ni) and atomic ­number 28
naturally occurring stable element, with a in the Periodic Table. There is no firm date of
density of 22.59 g/cm3, as derived from X-ray ­discovery of the metal, but the unintentional
diffraction data. use of nickel can be traced back to 3500 BC.
Ruthenium is a rare transition metal of the The formal discovery of the metal in 1751 in
platinum group with chemical symbol (Ru) and a m­ ineral (Niccolite or Nickeline) is credited
atomic number 44 in the Periodic Table. Prof. to Baron Axel Frederik Cronstedt, a Swedish
Jᶒdrzej Śniadecki, a Polish chemist, isolated the mineralogist and chemist. ­Apparently, he had
new element 44 from platinum ore in 1807 and expected to extract copper from this mineral,
named it “vestium.” Later, Jöns Berzelius and but instead he obtained a white metal. He
Gottfried Osann confirmed the discovery of called it nickel after the mineral from which
ruthenium in 1827 from the leftover residues it was extracted. The color is gray-white to
after dissolving crude platinum in aqua regia. silvery-white with metallic luster having
­
The metal is tin-white in color, with metallic golden tinge. Nickel is moderately hard (4–5),
luster, hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale with an ductile and melting point at 1455°C. There are
average density of 12.2 g/cm3. The melting point two main types of nickel deposits. The primary
 1.2 The Metals 7
type is magmatic sulfide deposits where the intensely colored. It is a steely-gray, lustrous,
principal ore ­ mineral is Pentlandite [(Ni, hard, and brittle metal which takes a high pol-
Fe)9S8]. The secondary type is laterite hosted ish, resists tarnishing, and has a high melting
with principal ore m ­ inerals as ­Nickeliferous point at 1907°C. Chromium is usually associ-
limonite (Fe, Ni) O (OH) and Garnierite ated with PGMs in layered igneous intrusive
[hydrous nickel ­silicate, (Ni, Mg)3Si2O5(OH)]. and magmatic copper–nickel deposits.
There can be other types and sources of nickel
such as (1) iron–nickel m
­ eteorites (Fig. 1.3), and
(2) sea-bed ­ nickeliferous copper–manganese 1.2.4 Copper
poly-metallic nodules (Fig. 1.4). Copper is one of the most functional transition
metals in human society since antiquity. Copper
is a chemical element with the symbol (Cu) and
1.2.3 Chromium atomic number 29. The name is derived from the
Chromium is an important commodity Latin word “cuprum.” The metal was known to
in the metal sector, particularly in the steel some of the oldest civilizations on record. It has
industry. The element represents its chemical a history of use in the Middle East in 9000 BC.
symbol of (Cr) and atomic number 24. Use of It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and
the metal has been evidenced from burial pits electrical conductivity and melting point at
dating from the late third century BC. How- 1085°C. Copper often occurs naturally as
ever, by 1798, Louis Nicolas Vauquelin, a French native form, soft and malleable with a freshly
pharmacist and chemist, isolated metallic chro- exposed surface of reddish-orange color (Fig.
mium by heating chromium oxide in a charcoal 1.5). It occurs in native form or as minerals
oven, making him the discoverer of the element. of copper sulfide (chalcopyrite and chalcoc-
Vauquelin also detected traces of chromium ite), carbonate (azurite and malachite), and
in precious gemstones, such as ruby or emer- oxide (cuprite). Copper mineralization forms
ald. The name of the element is derived from either by a Sedimentary Exhalative (SEDEX)
the Greek word “χρῶμα,” “chrōma”, meaning process or as magmatic sulfide deposits associ-
“color” because many of its compounds are ated with various noble metals.

FIGURE 1.4 Polymetallic nodules collected from the FIGURE 1.5 Native copper from polymetallic sulfide
Indian Ocean bed containing 1.5% Ni, 1.4% Cu, 0.25% Co, deposit at Neves-Corvo mine, Portugal. Haldar, S.K., 2013.
30% Mn, and 6% Fe. Haldar, S.K., 2013. Mineral Exploration – Mineral Exploration – Principles and Applications. Elsevier
Principles and Applications. Elsevier Publication, p. 374. Publication, p. 374.
8 1. INTRODUCTION

1.2.5 Gold and Silver 961.8°C. Silver occurs in native form (Fig. 1.7) and
an alloy with gold ores containing arsenic, sul-
Gold is noble and precious, and documented fur, and antimony. The common silver-bearing
as one of the first metals used during prehistoric minerals are Argentite (Ag2S), Chlorargyrite
culture. The Latin name for this noble metal is (AgCl), and Pyrargyrite (Ag2SbS3). The primary
“aurum” with chemical symbol (Au) and atomic sources of silver include ores of copper, copper–
number 79. It is a dense, soft, malleable, and nickel, lead, and lead–zinc.
ductile transition metal with melting point at
1064°C. The color is bright yellow with metal-
lic luster. A property of pure gold is remaining
1.2.6 Cobalt
untarnished on exposure to air or water. Gold Cobalt is one of the least-abundant elements
occurs mainly in native form (Fig. 1.6). in the Earth’s crust with chemical symbol (Co)
Magmatic gold–copper and gold–PGE depo­ and atomic number 27. Cobalt is hard, lustrous
sits, and combined with tellurium-bearing min- gray metal with attractive appearance and
erals are Sylvanite [(Ag, Au) Te2], Calaverite, or resistance to oxidation. It is a transition metal
gold telluride (AuTe2), Krennerite (Au3AgTe8) crystallizing in the hexagonal crystal system.
(Fig. 1.7), and Petzite (Ag3AuTe2). The name was derived from the German word
Silver is a precious metal with chemical symbol “Kobold” meaning “evil spirits.” The metal
(Ag) and atomic number 47. Silver is a soft, white, was used by Egyptian artisans as a coloring
lustrous transition metal used for thousands of agent during 3000 to 2000 BC. Cobalt is one of
years. It possesses the highest electrical conduc- the essential alloying elements in the Earth’s
tivity of any element and the highest thermal crust. It has many strategic and irreplaceable
conductivity of any metal. The melting point is at industrial uses and is a central component

FIGURE 1.6 Native gold from Al Amar volcanogenic FIGURE 1.7 Native silver occurs in various forms and
gold–zinc–copper deposit in volcaniclastic host rocks, sizes. Silver mining in the United States began on a major
∼180 km southwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The average scale with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1858; 36
grades are 7 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag, 3.7% Zn, and 0.5% Cu. Haldar, mines from 18 states continue silver production today in
S.K., 2013. Mineral Exploration – Principles and Applications. the United States. Haldar, S.K., 2013. Mineral Exploration –
Elsevier Publication, p. 374. Principles and Applications. Elsevier Publication, p. 374.
 1.3 The Minerals 9
of Vitamin B12. It has a high melting point
(1495°C) and retains its strength to high
temperature. Cobalt is frequently associated
with nickel, and both are characteristic compo-
nents of meteoric iron. The common cobalt
bearing minerals include Cobaltite (CoAsS),
Skutterudite (CoAs3), Safflorite (CoAs2) and
Glaucodot [(Co,Fe)AsS].

1.3 THE MINERALS

FIGURE 1.8 Sperrylite crystal on weathered chalcopy-
Many large mafic and ultramafic-layered
rite mat from Broken Hammer copper nickel PGE deposit
igneous plutonic/volcanic rocks contain thin of Wallbridge Mining Company Limited, Sudbury Camp,
layers enriched in PGEs, noble metals, and other North Range, Ontario, Canada. The crystal is approximately
copper–nickel sulfides and chromium oxides. 8 mm across. Dr Tom Evans.
This is a common feature in the Bushveld Igne-
ous Complex, South Africa (Belinda et al., 2007). chromite ore in the Bushveld Igneous Intru-
The metals are either in native form and/or as sive, South Africa, and contributes as the larg-
minerals containing the respective metals. est source of platinum in the World. Sperrylite
is closely associated with nickel ore in Sudbury,
Canada (Fig. 1.8), Oktyabr’skove copper–nickel
1.3.1 Minerals of Platinum Group
deposit of the Eastern Siberia Region, Russia
of Metals and many other Cu–Ni–PGE deposits.
The common platinum-group minerals are
Sperrylite (PtAs2), Braggite [(Pt, Pd, Ni)S] or 1.3.1.2 Braggite
[(Pt5Pd2Ni)S8], Cooperite [(Pt,Pd,Ni)S], Lau- Braggite is a sulfide mineral of platinum, pal-
rite (RuS2), Vysotskite [(Pd,Ni)S], Merenskyite, ladium, and nickel with chemical formula [(Pt,
Moncheite [(Pt,Pd)(Te,Bi)2], and Isoferroplati- Pd, Ni)S] or [(Pt5Pd2Ni)S8]. The mineral was first
num [(Pt,Pd)3 (Fe,Cu)]. described by William Henry Bragg and his son
William Lawrence Bragg in 1932 for a sample
1.3.1.1 Sperrylite collected from the Bushveld Igneous Complex,
Sperrylite is widespread and the most com- South Africa. The color, streak, and luster are
mon mineral of the platinum group and a major steel-gray, white, and metallic, respectively. The
source of platinum. The mineral was first col- mineral is soft (1.5 on the Mohs scale), and dense
lected by Francis Louis Sperry, an American with high specific gravity of 10. The composi-
chemist, in 1887 from Vermillion nickel mine, tion of Braggite stands between platinum-rich
Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada, and was Cooperite and palladium-rich Vysotskite. The
named after him. It is an opaque platinum- mineral is considered a primary economic ore
arsenide mineral with chemical formula (PtAs2). containing two precious metals of the platinum–
The color is shining tin-white with a black streak palladium group. The mineral in purest form
and a bright metallic luster. It is hard (6–7 on the contains 62.62% Pt, 17.08% Pd, 3.14% Ni, and
Mohs scale) with high specific gravity of 10.6. 17.16% S. The mineral occurs in igneous intru-
Sperrylite in purest form contains 56.56% Pt and sives at Bushveld, South Africa, the Stillwater
43.44% As. It is predominantly associated with Complex, Montana, United States, Lac des Iles,
10 1. INTRODUCTION

Russia, The Great Dyke in Zimbabwe, and as North San Juan, Stillwater, Montana, United
platinum–iron nuggets in Madagascar. States, Mechanic Pluton, Canada, Skaergaard
Intrusion, East Greenland, Talnakh Cu-Ni deposit,
1.3.1.3 Cooperite Noril’sk, Putoran plateau, Taimyr Peninsula, and
Cooperite is a sulfide mineral composed of Taymvrskiy, Eastern Siberia, Russia.
platinum, palladium, and nickel ± copper with
chemical formula [(Pt, Pd, Ni)S]. The mineral was 1.3.1.6 Merenskyite
first characterized in 1928 at Bushveld Igneous Merenskyite is a rare telluride–bismuthinide-
Complex by Richard A. Cooper, a South African bearing platinum–palladium mineral with
metallurgist, and named after him. The color, chemical formula [(Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2]. The mineral
streak, and luster are gray, brownish-­yellow, and was first described in 1966 for its occurrence at
metallic, respectively. It is moderately hard (4.5 on Merensky Reef in the Western Bushveld Igneous
the Mohs scale) with high specific gravity of 9.5. Complex, and named after Hans Merensky, a
The mineral in purest form contains 62.62% Pt, German–South African geologist. It is an opaque
17.08% Pd, 3.14% Ni, 17.18% S, ±0.5–0.8% Cu. white to light gray metallic mineral. The hard-
Cooperite is mined in sizable quantity at the ness is medium at 3.5 on the Mohs scale with a
Bushveld Complex, South Africa. moderately high specific gravity of 8.55. The
average content of elements at purest form is
1.3.1.4 Laurite 24.76% Pd, 5.04% Pt, 59.39% Te, and 10.81% Bi.
Laurite is an opaque black metallic ruthenium The mineral usually occurs as inclusion in Chal-
sulfide mineral with chemical formula (RuS2). copyrite. It is a source of platinum, palladium,
The mineral was discovered in 1866 in Borneo tellurium, and bismuth.
and named for Laurie, wife of an American
chemist. The color ranges between iron-black, 1.3.1.7 Michenerite
white-gray, and bluish. The streak and luster are Michenerite is a rare telluride–bismuthinide
dark-gray and metallic, respectively. It is hard bearing platinum–palladium mineral with
(7.5 on the Mohs scale) with moderate specific chemical formula [(Pd,Pt)BiTe]. The mineral
gravity (6.4). It occurs in ultramafic magmatic was named after its discoverer Charles Edward
cumulate deposits and as placer types derived Michener, a Canadian exploration geologist.
from the former. Laurite in pure form contains The color is silver-white with black streak and
61.18% Ru, and 38.82% S. metallic luster. The hardness is low at 2.5 on
the Mohs scale, and the average specific grav-
1.3.1.5 Vysotskite ity is high at 9.5. The mineral in the purest form
Vysotskite is a palladium–nickel sulfide contains 17.16% Pd, 10.48% Pt, 44.93% Bi and
mineral with chemical formula [(Pd,Ni)S], and 27.43% Te. The mineral occurs at Frood mine,
crystallizes in the tetragonal system. The mineral McKim Township and Capre deposit (Fig. 1.9),
was named after Nikolai Konstantinovich Vysotskii, Sudbury Camp.
a geologist who found the platinum ore deposit at
Noril’sk, Russia. The color ranges between silver- 1.3.1.8 Moncheite
gray and white with a green streak. The mineral Moncheite is a rare telluride–bismuthinide
is soft (1.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness) with bearing platinum–palladium mineral with chemi-
an average moderate specific gravity of 6.69. The cal formula [(Pt,Pd)(Te,Bi)2]. It is named after the
average contents of elements in purest form of the locality at Monche Tundra in Russia. The mineral
mineral are 63.07% Pd, 11.59% Ni, and 25.34% S. is steel-gray to gray color. It has low hardness of
The mineral reported from Mutoshi mine, Zaire, 2–3 and moderately high specific gravity at 10. The
 1.3 The Minerals 11
The Skaergaard mafic–ultramafic intrusion is
the only known source of Skaergaardite, the
most common mineraland sufficiently abundant
to be mined. It is the most common source of the
metal palladium.

1.3.2 Minerals of Nickel Group

1.3.2.1 Millerite
Millerite is a nickel sulfide (NiS) mineral and
occurs as common metamorphic replacement of
FIGURE 1.9 Michenerite [(Pd,Pt)Bi Te] occurs as inter- Pentlandite within serpentinite ultramafic bod-
growth and inclusion in Pyrite and Chalcopyrite from the ies with radiating cluster of acicular needles.
Capre Deposit, Sudbury Camp, Ontario, Canada. Dr Tom Evans. Millerite was discovered in 1845 and named
after the British mineralogist W.H. Miller. The
average content of elements in its purest form is color is pale-brass or bronze-yellow with green-
31.21% Pt, 5.68% Pd, 40.83% Te and 22.29% Bi. It ish black streak and tarnishes to an iridescent
is source of platinum, palladium, tellurium, and surface property. The hardness varies between
bismuth from Monchegorsk Cu–Ni Deposit in the 3.0 and 3.5 on the Mohs scale with moder-
Kola Peninsula, Northern Region, Russia. ate specific gravity between 5.3 and 5.65. The
mineral possesses metallic luster, and in purest
1.3.1.9 Isoferroplatinum form contains 64.7% Ni, and 35.3% S. Millerite
Isoferroplatinum is a gray to dark-gray metallic is a preferred source of nickel having the high-
mineral with chemical formula [(Pt,Pd)3 (Fe,Cu)]. est metal content among the remaining nickel-
The average content of elements in purest form bearing group. It is found in Halls Gap area in
is 76.13% Pt, 13.84% Pd, 2.70% Cu, and 7.27% Fe. Kentucky, United States.
The mineral usually occurs as rims on grains in
an alluvial placer deposit, Tulameen River, British 1.3.2.2 Niccolite or Nickeline
Columbia, Canada. Niccolite or Nickeline is a nickel arsenide min-
eral with chemical composition of (NiAs ± Fe,
1.3.1.10 Skaergaardite Sb, Co, and/or S). The unknown mineral was
Skaergaardite is an intermetallic platinum reported in 1751, but formally named Nickeline
mineral with the general chemical formula in 1832 and Niccolite in 1868 after Latin “nic-
(PdCu). The mineral is a new mineral discov- colum.” The color is distinct copper-red with
ery and named after its discovery location: the pale brownish black streak and metallic luster.
Skaergaard intrusion, Kangerdlugssuaq area, The specific gravity varies between 5.0 and 5.5 in
East Greenland (Rudashevsky et al., 2004). The Mohs scale with moderately high specific grav-
mineral name was approved by the International ity of 7.3–7.7. The mineral in purest form con-
Mineralogical association in 2003. The color is tains 43.9% Ni and 56.1% As. Niccolite occurs
steel gray with a bronze tint, with metallic luster in layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions at high
and black streak. The hardness varies between 4 magmatic temperature and differential segre-
and 5 on the Mohs scale, and very high specific gation. The mineral is rarely used due to pres-
gravity at 10.64. Skaergaardite in pure form con- ence of arsenic which is deleterious to milling
tains 59.42% Pd, 1.13% Pt, 0.29% Te, 2.27% Au, and smelting. However, the mineral is usually
30.09% Cu, 3.87% Fe, and rest of Zn, Pb, and Sn. used as blending with “clean” ore which the mill
12 1. INTRODUCTION

and smelter can handle with acceptable recov- igneous intrusive in South Africa, the Voisey’s
ery. The prime locations include Sudbury basin, Bay mafic troctolite (olivine, calcic-­plagioclase,
Canada, Widgiemooltha Dome and Kambalda and pyroxene rock) intrusive complex in Can-
areas, Western Australia. ada, and Duluth gabbro intrusive in the United
States. The other examples of ­ Pentlandite
1.3.2.3 Pentlandite deposits are Kambalda-type komatiitic ore
Pentlandite is an iron nickel sulfide with in Western Australia, Noril’sk Ni–Cu–PGE
chemical formula of [(Fe,Ni)9S8]. The mineral in trans-­Siberian Russia, and a few others in
was discovered by and named after the Irish Namibia and Brazil, The supergiant Sudbury
scientist Joseph Barclay Pentland. The color
­ nickel deposit in Canada was formed by a large
is yellow-bronze with light bronze-brown meteorite impact crater.
streak and metallic luster. The hardness ­varies
between 3.5 and 4.0 on the Mohs scale with 1.3.2.4 Pyrrhotite
moderate specific gravity between 4.6 and
­ Pyrrhotite (Fig. 1.11) is an unusual iron sul-
5.0. The m ­ ineral in purest form contains 22% fide with variable iron content [Fe(1−x) S(x=0–0.2)].
Ni, 42% Fe, and 36% S. Pentlandite is the most The color ranges between bronze yellow and
­common terrestrial nickel sulfide; it typically copper-red with black streak and metallic lus-
forms ­during cooling of magmatic sulfide melts ter. The hardness varies between 3.5 and 4.5 on
during the evolution of parent silicate melt.
­ the Mohs scale and an average specific gravity
Pentlandite typically concentrates within the of 4.6. Pyrrhotite is naturally magnetic with the
lower margin of a mineralized layered ­intrusive. increase of iron content. Pyrrhotite is a com-
The best examples include the Sudbury mon and important constituent in mafic igne-
(Fig. 1.10) deposits, Canada, Bushveld layered ous intrusive rocks such as norites. It occurs

FIGURE 1.10 The nickel-bearing massive Pyrrhotite

and patches (black irregular boundary) of Pentlandite [(Fe,
Ni)8S9] are intergrown from the Trill “offset inclusion quartz FIGURE 1.11 Nickel-bearing bronze-brown color massive
dyke” associated with the Sudbury Complex, Canada. The pyrrhotite with intergrowth of pale greenish Pentlandite from
other nickel mineral Millerite (NiS) occurs as microlevel the Trill “offset inclusion quartz dyke” associated with the
intergrown type. Dr Tom Evans. Sudbury Complex, Canada. Dr Tom Evans.
 1.3 The Minerals 13
low silicon, potassium, aluminum, and high to
extremely high magnesium content. The com-
monly associated metals are nickel and PGE.
The main uses of chromium are in metallurgi-
cal and chemical applications for manufacture
of hard rustless steel, chrome plating, pigments,
and dye. It is also used as refractory materials
because of its high heat stability.

1.3.3.2 Crocoite
Crocoite is a rare lead chromate mineral hav-
ing the chemical formula of (PbCrO4). The min-
eral in the purest form contains 64.11% Pb and
16.09% Cr. It has a brilliant vivid yellow color
FIGURE 1.12 Crystalline brownish-black chromite from
Kathpal mine, Sukinda Layered Igneous Complex, Orissa, for its best use in paints. The mineral was first
India. reported at Berezovsk gold mines in the Urals
region in 1766, and named “Crocoise” in 1832
as segregation in layered intrusions associated from the Greek “Kpókoç” (“krokos” meaning
with Pentlandite, Chalcopyrite, and other sul- “saffron”). The mineral is found in gold-bearing
fides. The Pentlandite–Chalcopyrite–Pyrrhotite quartz veins traversing granite or gneisses in the
ore around the Sudbury structure formed from presence of ultramafic rocks serving as source of
sulfide melts that segregated from the melt sheet chromium. The type areas include Russia, South
produced by the meteoritic impact. Africa, Brazil, North America, Germany, Austra-
lia, and the Red Lead, West Comet, Platt, and a
few other mines at Dundas, Tasmania.
1.3.3 Minerals of Chromium
1.3.3.1 Chromite 1.3.4 Minerals of Copper
Chromite (Fig. 1.12) is an iron chromium Copper-bearing minerals occur in nature by
oxide (FeO,Cr2O3 or FeCr2O4 ± Mg). In its pur- various chemical forms (carbonate, oxide, and
est form, chromite ore contains 68% Cr2O3, sulfide), metal content (% Cu), and name for
and Cr:Fe ratio of 1.8:1. Louis Nicolas Vau- identification. The most important, common,
quelin was the discoverer of the element and abundant copper mineral is Chalcopyrite.
“chromium,” and named the mineral “ferrous-
chromate-alumine” in 1798. Later, Wilhelm 1.3.4.1 Azurite
Haidinger named it “chromite” in 1845 with ref- Azurite is a soft deep-blue (azure-blue)
erence to its extremely high chromium content. color copper carbonate hydroxide mineral
Chromite occurs in mafic–ultramafic intrusives [Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2]formed by weathering of
and as a process of early magmatic differentia- copper orebodies (Fig. 1.13). The hardness var-
tion usually in layered form. The common host ies between 3.5 and 4.0 on the Mohs scale with
component is ultramafic igneous intrusive rocks. average specific gravity of 3.8. The mineral in
The typical host rocks are peridotite, pyroxenite, the purest form contains 55.31% Cu. Azurite is
dunite, serpentinite, chromitite cumulate, and seldom used as copper ore, but its presence is an
komatiite. The characteristic mineral assem- excellent surface indicator and guide for explo-
blages are Olivine, Serpentine, Magnetite with ration targeting in the vicinity and at depth. The
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Title: A little Swiss boy

Author: Johanna Spyri

Illustrator: Frances Brundage

Translator: Clement W. Coumbe

Release date: March 31, 2024 [eBook #73300]

Language: English

Original publication: United States: The Saalfield Publishing Compny,

1926

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A LITTLE SWISS

BOY ***
 Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is
as printed.

THE FOUR OF THEM SOON SAT DOWN TO THEIR LUNCH IN A

PARTICULARLY MERRY MOOD.
 A LITTLE

SWISS BOY

BY

JOHANNA SPYRI

Author of "Heidi," "Uncle Titus in the Country,"

"Cornelli, Her Childhood," "Maxa's Children,"
"Moni, The Goat Boy."

Translated by
CLEMENT W. COUMBE

Illustrated by
FRANCES BRUNDAGE
 THE

SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY

AKRON, OH NEW YORK

Made in U. S. A.

Copyright, 1926

By

The Saalfield Publishing Company

CONTENTS

Chapter

I. IN LEUK

II. IN THE PASTURE

 III. UNEXPECTED EVENTS

IV. A DEPARTURE AND AN ARRIVAL

V. IN EXILE

VI. STILL HIGHER UP THE MOUNTAIN

VII. STILL MORE MUSIC

VIII. MORE UNEXPECTED EVENTS

IX. SURPRISES, NOT FOR RUSSLI ALONE

X. OLD FRIENDS AND NEW LIFE

XI. ONCE AGAIN THE OLD SONG

FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS

THE FOUR OF THEM SOON SAT DOWN TO THEM LUNCH

IN A PARTICULARLY MERRY MOOD. Frontispiece

"OH, DID YOU FIND MY SCARF AND BRING IT BACK TO

ME?" SHE ASKED.

WHEN VINZI STOPPED, JOS EXCLAIMED, "TEACH ME!"

 A LITTLE

SWISS BOY

CHAPTER I
IN LEUK

THE June sun shone on the green slope above the

village of Leuk and the grass carpeting the heights far
beyond with cool green filled the air with fragrance. In front
of an isolated house on the road to the baths of Leuk two
women engaged in earnest conversation.

"I tell you, Marianne," said the more talkative one, "if
you could furnish a couple of rooms as I did, you would find
it very profitable. You would soon get boarders, for many of
the people coming to the baths do not wish to live there, or
they should not, like the three I have. Of course you live
rather far down and most people prefer the higher localities.
If only you lived over there where those people do! They
have the best location on the slope, and own the best
meadow land too. But I do not like them," glancing at the
house with an unfriendly look. "They are eaten up with
pride. The man is not so bad, but you should see the
woman!"

"How do they show their pride?" asked Marianne.

 "Better ask how they do not show it," quickly replied
Magdalen. "They show it in everything—the way they walk,
the way they stand, and they dress as though every day
were Sunday. The boy's black hair is always curled as
though he were going to a church festival, and the little girl
sticks her nose up in the air as much as to say, 'Here I
come!'"

"The little girl can't help it if her nose turns up, and the
boy isn't really to blame for his curly hair," Marianne replied.
"Doesn't the woman speak pleasantly when you meet her?"

"Oh, yes, she does that, and I wouldn't advise her to

carry her pride that far," said Magdalen in a threatening
tone. "But if you think she stops a moment to speak a few
words, as our other neighbors do, you are mistaken."

Marianne looked at the house and said in quick surprise,

"What has happened? As long as I can remember that
house looked old and gray and all the windows were grimy
with dust. Now it looks like a different house, so snow white
and the windows shine in the sun."

"It is the same house, and the change shows how proud
they are," answered Magdalen warmly. "Farmer Lesa lived
there more than fifty years with his old housekeeper, and in
all those years never drove so much as a nail in the house.
What was good enough for father and grandfather before
him was good enough for him. When his heir came from
over the Gemmi, there started such a tearing down and
rebuilding and such a cleaning up one might suppose a
count was moving in. Of course the wife was the cause of it
all."
 "But I should think it would be necessary to clean up
and renew things if nothing had been done for fifty years,"
said Marianne. "The old house was no pretty sight, I must
say! But why do you say the heir came from across the
Gemmi? Don't the Lesas belong to our section of the
country?"

"Yes, you can find Lesas scattered over the valley,"

answered Magdalen, "but one of them was married the
other side of the Gemmi and remained near Berne or
Freiburg. I know this only from hearsay, for it happened a
hundred or more years ago. When old Lesa died, it was
found his nearest relatives were those living over there. So
Vinzenz Lesa moved here, bringing his wife and two
children; that was a couple of years ago now. It is said they
had a fine house and many cattle on the other side, and a
capital cattle range. I've heard his brother runs that estate."

"Good gracious, I must be off!" exclaimed Marianne,

startled at the striking of the village clock. "What became of
Lesa's housekeeper?"

"She died shortly after he did. She was his cousin and
had lived with him fully fifty years. She was over seventy,
so she could not undertake anything new. Look, look!"
continued Magdalen eagerly. "There they come across the
meadow! Now you can see the Lesa woman and her
dressed-up children too."
 Marianne did not need much persuasion to tarry, for she
was very curious to see the people they had been talking
about. The three came nearer, and the children must have
had a great deal to tell their mother for they were so
engrossed in conversation they had neither eyes nor ears
for anything else.

However, as they approached the house, the mother

pleasantly greeted the two women, the lad pulled off his
cap and the little girl called out in a clear voice, "Good day
to you!" but continued on their way.

"They look nice," remarked Marianne with an approving

glance. "I see no pride whatever, Magdalen, but neatness in
children as well as in mother. Her clothes fit so well I am
wondering how she does it. The boy's cap didn't conceal his
handsome black curls and the little girl with her tiptilted
little nose and brown braids about her head looks as merry
as a little bird."

"Have you anything else to say?" asked Magdalen,

plainly annoyed.

"You are right; I would do better to be on my way than

to be talking so idly," replied Marianne, and moved on.

In the meanwhile Mrs. Lesa with her two children

mounted the hill, the conversation continuing without
interruption.

"Can you believe it, mother?" the lad said. "The child
isn't much taller than Stefeli. When we passed Mrs. Troll's
house last evening, she stood at the front door, and she
went inside and suddenly we heard lovely music through
the open window. Her brother still sat outside reading a
book, so I asked what it was and he said, 'Alida is playing
the piano.' Think of it, such a little girl! I would have liked to
have listened, but Stefeli said we must go on home for it
was getting late."

"And so it was," asserted Stefeli. "I would have been

glad to stay too, but we had to get back home. Even then
father was already at the table when we arrived. I heard
that the boy's name is Hugo, and a crooked lady lives with
them, for I heard Alida say to her brother, 'Now I must go
in; otherwise the Fraulein will fetch me in herself and
everything will be all crooked.'"

"No, no, Stefeli," said her mother. "She meant that

everything might go crooked with her if she did not obey.
Aren't the children's parents with them?"

"I'm not sure. What do you think, Vinzi?" asked Stefeli,

turning toward her brother.

"What are you staring at? And why don't you answer
your sister?" asked his mother.

"Listen, mother, listen!" he said softly. "Don't you hear

that lovely sound?"

His mother paused. The wind wafted the sound of the

evening bell from the valley below and as the echoes died
away over the hills new notes rose louder and clearer. The
mother's eyes rested on him in mingled anxiety and
surprise, as he listened intently in an effort to catch just
one more note.

"Vinzi, will you listen now to what I say?" asked Stefeli,

who showed no surprise at all at her brother's manner.

"Yes," he answered as though waking out of a dream.

 "Is the lady who lives with Alida and Hugo really
crooked?" asked Stefeli, anxious to have that question
settled.

"Yes, perhaps," said her brother a little absent-

mindedly.

But Stefeli could not tolerate such uncertainty and

retorted a little angrily, "If she is not crooked, she is
straight, and there is no perhaps about it. We will go down
to Mrs. Troll's house and see for ourselves what the lady
looks like; can't we, mother?"

"No, we cannot go down to the house on that account,"

replied the mother. "But it is time to turn around or father
will be home before we are, and that must not be."

"Perhaps they will be sitting out in front," said Stefeli,

holding fast to her purpose, and now as her mother turned
back, she ran ahead, to discover as quickly as possible if
anyone was in front of the Troll house.

Vinzi wandered along quietly with his mother. He was

not talkative now as when they had climbed the hill, but his
mother was used to these changes in her boy.

"Tell me, Vinzi," she said, "why did you keep on

listening after the sound of the evening bells had died
away?"

"Oh, I could still hear them," he replied. "And then

suddenly I heard a wonderful song coming down from the
hills. The black firs Joined in with a deep bass and through
it all the bell sang a wonderful song. Oh, if only I could
repeat it!"
 "Wasn't it a song you have heard somewhere?" his
mother asked sympathetically, seeking to understand. "If
you could sing a little of it to me, perhaps I might know
what it was and tell you the words."

"No, no," declared Vinzi. "It is no song I ever heard and

it has no words."

The mother meditated in silence; she could not

understand Vinzi's meaning. She also had always delighted
in music and had taught her children to sing as soon as
they could talk; her greatest joy had been their daily
evening song.

"Come, Vinzi," she now said, "let us sing together. What

shall it be?"

"I do not know. If only I could sing the tune that still
rings in my ears!"

"You only think you hear something. Now sing out

briskly and you will enjoy it," advised his mother and
started a song Vinzi knew well.

He hesitated but the familiar melody soon attracted him

and he joined with his mother in a way she loved. The song
was ended before they reached Mrs. Troll's house, and
Stefeli darted out to them from behind a tree. From this
hiding-place she had been watching the two children who
sat in front of the house, each with a book. Stefeli would
have liked very much to have run up to the little girl and
start a friendship, but the governess came out, and she was
not crooked at all, but so straight and stiff that timid Stefeli
hid more carefully behind the tree. She now told all this and
was very happy to have mother and brother with her as she
passed the house, for the governess was still sitting there.
 The children gave one another searching glances for all
four of them were much interested, and Alida said half
aloud, "They are the children we saw yesterday. I think I
will go and make their acquaintance."

"No, you must not do that, Alida. We do not know who

they are," said the governess quickly.

"She will not let Alida talk with us; did you hear that,
mother?" said Stefeli.

"Yes," replied Mrs. Lesa. "I am glad you did not run in to
see them, and you must not do so, Stefeli, do you hear?"

"Yes, but then we will never meet, and Alida wanted to

so much," said Stefeli rather rebelliously.

"You see, Stefeli, the governess probably has entire

charge of the children and is responsible for everything they
do and for the friends they make," explained her mother.

"There goes father!" exclaimed Vinzi. "If we wish to get

home at the same time he does we must walk faster."

As this was the mother's wish, they hastened their

steps and met him a short distance from their home, and
soon the little family was seated around the supper table.

Everything was quiet during the meal for the children

knew they had to be silent and their parents spoke but
little.

As soon as the children had finished, Vinzi asked, "May

we go out doors?"

And when permission was granted, they hurried off to

the barn where there were plenty of nooks and corners for a
grand game of hide-and-seek.

The June evening was bright and warm, and Vinzenz

Lesa rose cheerfully from the table, went outside and
seated himself on the bench in front of the house to enjoy
his pipe. Soon afterward his wife came out and sat beside
him. Now he grew talkative and told of his visit that day to
an acquaintance down in the valley: how he had looked
over his meadows, fields and cattle and when he had
silently compared them with his own property he had to say
to himself:

"Vinzenz Lesa, that is a fine property you have

inherited."

"Yes, we ought to be thankful, and we will be, Vinzenz,"

said his wife.

"That is quite true," he continued, "but when I rejoice

and plan how to improve the farm and increase the stock, it
seems I am hobbled so I cannot take another step. It is the
boy Vinzi I mean. For whom should I do all this if not for
him? And what kind of a boy is he? He has no eyes in his
head! He shows no pleasure, not a bit of interest in leading
out to pasture the finest cows to be found anywhere
around. If I say to him, 'Just look at the fine fodder in this
meadow!' he says, 'Yes,' and looks absently into the
distance. There is something wrong with him."

"No, no, Vinzenz, that is saying too much," interrupted

his wife eagerly. "If Vinzi does not always listen and
sometimes lets his thoughts wander and does not show any
real pleasure in farming, at least he has done no harm."

"I do not say he has," replied Mr. Lesa. "But what I do

say is that there is something wrong when a boy has no
feeling for such meadows and fields as we own and for such
cows as are in my stalls, and for everything that belongs to
a choice farm. But how to help it I do not know."

"Something may happen to bring about a change. He is

young yet, you know," replied his wife in an effort to soothe
him, although her own anxiety about the lad had been
increased by the afternoon's experience. Thinking it best to
change the subject she told him how, in passing Mrs. Troll's
house that day, she had seen the people who had taken the
upper rooms for the summer; the two children had looked
so nice she would like to have them in her own house.

"A man can never tell what his wife will think of next!"
he exclaimed with rising anger. "But I know what you are
aiming at, and I say, let it alone. I want to live by myself,
and as to these strange gentlefolk, our children are not to
have anything to do with them, or our girl will be as spoilt
as our boy. I am glad to say she is quite different from him.
The young heifer runs after her and eats out of her hand.
When she is told something, she pays attention, but the boy
—he knows nothing."

"To hear you, one might suppose being well brought up

was some sort of a disease, Vinzenz," replied the wife
calmly. "But you have no need to worry. The governess
takes good care her charges do not come near ours. But
now it is time to go indoors," and she called the children to
their evening hymn.

CHAPTER II
IN THE PASTURE
 ONE Monday morning, so early that the sun was just
reddening the tops of the mountains, Stefeli rushed into
Vinzi's room.

"Wake up, Vinzi; wake up quick!" she called to him.

"The man has taken the cows to the pond and father says
as soon as we have had breakfast we must take them to the
pasture so the man can go back to work. We'll take our
lunch with us because it's too far to come home. Won't that
be real fun? Come now, hurry!"

By this time Vinzi was awake, but looked at his sister

with his large dark eyes as though still half dreaming.

"Oh, I dreamed something so beautiful," he said.

"Mother and I were in Sitten. You know I was there last
summer with her. We went into a church and everything
was just as it looked then. An organ was playing music that
was more beautiful than I can tell you."

"Hurry up, Vinzi, and come along! We cannot talk about

organs now," urged Stefeli. "Father is already sitting at the
table and mother has carried in the coffee. You know if
father gets cross because we do not come, it will not be any
fun. Make haste!" and she ran off.

Vinzi knew the truth of Stefeli's words so he sprang out

of bed and dressed hastily. Swallowing his coffee and milk
that stood at his place, he stuck his bread into his pocket
before the other three had half finished their breakfast.

The father watched the boy, thinking, "He can hurry

when going about his business. Perhaps he will turn out all
right."
 The mother had packed the midday lunch for the
children in a little basket and hung it over Vinzi's shoulder.
Stefeli skipped along, a little switch that Vinzi had carefully
cut for her in her hand. She used this to urge the browsing
cows along, but never did she strike them. Once outside,
Vinzi discovered he had left his whip in the barn and had to
fetch it. Every herd-boy had a switch, but only to crack it
now and then so that it echoed in loud booms from the
mountains. Vinzi found no pleasure in his whip, so he was
careless where he put it. Now he searched one corner after
another, and while he hunted his father began to frown.
Then Stefeli darted up with it in her hand, for she
remembered where her brother had put it last.

Now the two set off, and the father called after them,
"Look out, Vinzi, that none of the cows gets across the
stream," and the mother followed with her warning, "Take
care not to go too near the stream where the rapids are!"

"Now we must keep our eyes open so the cows stay in

our own pasture, and we must see that Schwarzeli does not
do too much frisking, for if she does not graze, she will get
thin," said Stefeli.

Vinzi followed Stefeli and looked on as she carefully

placed the little basket in the deepest shade. Then they
both sat on the ground which had been thoroughly dried by
both sun and wind. The fresh morning breeze rustled
through the branches and blew over the meadow far and
wide until its soughing died in the distance. Suddenly Stefeli
jumped up and darted off like an arrow.

"Schwarzeli! Schwarzeli!" the child kept calling as she

pursued the shiny black heifer which was running toward
the stream, tail in the air. "Schwarzeli, wait for me!" but the
high-spirited creature only leaped higher and was now quite
close to the stream. "If she jumps in, she will drown,"
thought Stefeli in fright, for they had come to the
dangerous place her mother had meant in her warning.
"Schwarzeli! Schwarzeli!"

Suddenly the fugitive stood still and calmly awaited the

arrival of her mistress.

"You wicked Schwarzeli, to frighten me so!" Stefeli

exclaimed, grasping hold of the rope around Schwarzeli's
neck. "Just wait! If you go on like this, I will bring you no
more salt that you lick as though it were so much sugar!"

Schwarzeli rubbed her neck on Stefeli's shoulder as

much as to reply, "I did not mean to be bad; it was so jolly
to caper over the pasture."
 Half way back to the place set aside for grazing, Vinzi
met them and asked in great surprise, "Why did you run
away all of a sudden, Stefeli? I heard some lovely music two
or three times, and when I turned to ask if you heard it too,
I saw you coming back with Schwarzeli. Oh, it is such a pity
you did not hear it. I cannot describe it. It sounded like a
great choir of deep, strong voices floating over the meadow,
growing always softer, you know, like the sound of waters
far away. It was so beautiful! Come, Stefeli, we will sit down
there again, and perhaps we can still hear it."

"Now go along, Schwarzeli, and be good," said Stefeli as

she let go the rope and followed her brother.

However, she had scarcely settled down alongside him

when she sprang up again, and this time Vinzi with her, for
the brown cow had wandered over to the boundary fence
and, was pushing hard against the palings, to get through.
The two children ran to bring the animal back, and soon the
cow was wandering prudently about the proper field.

Stefeli discovered a spot that was especially inviting,

where fragrant little wild pinks nodded happily. "Come
along, Vinzi, we will rest here. I am sure there will be no
more wonderful music under the tree."

The children gazed contentedly on the sunlit landscape

and after a period of quiet enjoyment Stefeli said, "I would
love to be a cowherd all my life; wouldn't you, Vinzi?"

"No, I would not," replied Vinzi.

"Why not?" inquired Stefeli. "Surely no place is more

lovely than this."

"Yes, that is true," Vinzi admitted. "But I would not like

to look after cows all my life."
 "What do you like to do best? I have not seen you do
it," said Stefeli, astonished to think she did not know.

"Most of all, I love to hear the bells peal and hear them
resound through the branches of the trees and down from
the mountain heights. Do you hear the soft notes around us
—do you hear?" and his eyes grew larger and brighter as he
listened.

Stefeli pricked up her ears. "That is only the gnats

buzzing," she said in a disgusted tone.

But Vinzi continued: "And when I hear such beautiful

sounds I would like to remember them and to sing them or
imitate them in some other way. I am always wondering
how I can do it."

"But that is no profession," Stefeli interrupted.

"Well, that is what I am afraid of, too," said Vinzi in a

discouraged manner, "but I have to keep on thinking about
it. I have cut a lot of pipes and have tried to see what I
could imitate on them. I have five altogether. Out of one I
could get deep tones, out of another high ones, and the
others have middle notes. I have been thinking how I can
blow on two or three at the same time so they will all sound
at once, like the church bells, you know."

"You might be a piper," Stefeli suggested suddenly,

greatly elated at her inspiration. "That would be a fine
profession, wouldn't it?"

"I don't know," replied Vinzi, rather uncertain, "but even

if I could be, father would not let me. He found my pipes in
the barn one day and threw them all away, saying I must
think about more useful things than collecting pipes and
working on stuff that amounts to nothing."
 "You must not be so sad about it, Vinzi," she said
consolingly. "I am sure father means you must not have the
pipes in the barn or stable, but out here in the pasture you
certainly may have them. I will watch the cows and call you
when anything is the matter. You can cut new pipes, all of
which we will lay in a hole under the tree, and you will take
them out only when we are here. I will help you blow them.
I'll blow on the high pipe and you on the low, and in that
way they will sound together like the bells."

Apparently this plan did not console him as she thought

it would for he kept gazing on the ground and said no more.

"Now we will talk about something else," she continued

resolutely, for she did not like his sad expression, but before
they could start talking again, she sprang from the ground
and darted away, calling, "Vinzi, Vinzi!"

Vinzi too ran at topmost speed toward the end of the

pasture where a wooden footbridge led across the stream. A
party of strangers was about to cross when a little dog
belonging to them suddenly dashed into the midst of the
cows, barking violently. The frightened animals ran in all
directions, and Schwarzeli, tail raised high, galloped hither
and thither. This excited the dog to further onslaughts.
Stefeli ran after her cows to quiet them while Vinzi struck
out at the dog with his whip so that it suddenly turned tail
and ran howling after the disappearing party. This had
proved such a hot piece of work that the children sought the
shade of the big tree and threw themselves down on the
ground to get their breath.

Sitting up, Vinzi said, "I wish the dog had been on the
other side, where the path leads up to the pasture. I saw a
fiery red flower there, and it looked tremendously big, even
from where I was—bigger than any I ever saw. If it were
not so far, I'd go and fetch it, but it is too hot."

"Oh, I'll go," said Stefeli with assurance. "If it is so

beautiful, it can't be too far for me."

Vinzi was going to offer to fetch the flower if Stefeli

wished it so much, but the little girl had sped off so far, he
knew he could not overtake her. So he kept his seat, and
now that the midday bell in the village began to ring, he
quickly forgot everything else, so intently did he listen to
the sound.

"There is your flower," were the words that suddenly

roused him, and Stefeli laid a bright red scarf before her
brother. He was so deeply buried in his thoughts that he
had not noticed the flight of time, and was astonished at
her quick return. He gazed thoughtfully at what he had
supposed was a red flower. Where had he seen that scarf
before?

"Oh, now I know!" he suddenly exclaimed. "I saw it

hanging on the chair in which the strange little girl was
sitting at Mrs. Troll's house. It must belong to her."

Now Stefeli also recalled having seen something scarlet

there, and as there had been children in the party that had
crossed the bridge, they were probably the same children
they saw yesterday.

Vinzi began to consider what was to be done with the

scarf. He knew that whatever was found must be returned
to the owner at once; therefore the best thing would be for
him to run over to Mrs. Troll's house with it. But Stefeli
declared it was everybody's dinner hour, and there was
plenty of time to do it before evening.
 As soon as dinner was mentioned, Vinzi suddenly
sensed an immense hunger, so he set right to work
gathering all the twigs under the tree and built a little fire.
While it was dying down, Stefeli turned the grassy place
into an attractive dinner table, laying out two large slices of
bread spread with golden butter and two snow white eggs
which their mother had boiled and which now only needed
peeling. Then she carried the basket near the fire and put
some clean round potatoes into the glowing coals. They
were soon smoking and sizzling so invitingly the children
waited impatiently for the moment when they could rake
them from the bed of dying ashes. When they had cooled a
little they bit deeper and deeper into the snowy whiteness,
though they thought the hard-baked crust really the best of
all.

The cows had been so busy grazing that now they were
ready to rest a bit. Even Schwarzeli had settled down
peacefully, though she tossed her little black head from
time to time, showing she could not be trusted altogether.

The children cleaned up their place under the tree, for

paper and eggshells did not belong on the fine green carpet
of their living-room. And then they sat quietly and
contentedly gazing over the pasture, enjoying the peace
that was round about them.

"Now I might carry back the scarf we found," said Vinzi

after a while. "The cows are sure to be quiet until I get
back."

"Yes," agreed Stefeli. "The big ones will rest for a while
and if Schwarzeli starts to run to the stream, I'll entice her
back. I have kept all the salt mother gave us for the eggs.
You did not ask for any, and Schwarzeli loves it."
 Taking the scarf which Stefeli had folded, Vinzi ran off,
but it took a good quarter of an hour for him to reach Mrs.
Troll's house. The front door stood open and all was quiet
inside.

Hearing chopping in the garden, he thought Mrs. Troll

might be there, but suddenly quite different sounds
attracted him so powerfully that he mounted the stairs.
Through a half open door he caught the notes of a melody.
Stepping up, he laid his ear on the door to hear better, but
in his longing, he pressed quite hard and the door flew wide
open.

Instantly the small musician who sat on a high stool

before the instrument swung around and looked at him.
Seeing he was quite shocked, she jumped down from the
stool and ran up to him. "Oh, did you find my scarf and
bring it back to me?" she asked as she caught sight of the
scarlet cloth in his hand. "That is lucky for me! Miss Landrat
gave me a good scolding for losing it and said that, as
punishment, I must go over the same path I traveled with
papa and the other gentlemen this morning and find it. Now
you have brought it I do not have to go, so I will give you a
reward. What would you like best?"

Vinzi gazed in surprise at the wonderful child who could

produce such entrancing music and now speak to him as
though they had been friends for a long time. He hesitated,
but at last replied timidly, "Can I wish for anything I
choose?"

"Yes," replied his new acquaintance decidedly, "but ask

for something I can give you, not such a thing as a ship or a
horse."
 "No, I don't mean anything like that," said Vinzi. "I only
wish to hear the music again."

"The music? Do you mean what I was playing when you

came? That really is no present. What is your name?" the
little girl asked, suddenly interrupting her own line of
thought.

When Vinzi mentioned his name, she replied, "And mine

is Alida Thornau. Practising gets so tedious that I play one
of my little pieces between exercises. Do you have to
practise too?"

"What do you mean by practise?"

"Oh, don't you know? Then you are lucky!" she

exclaimed. "You see, practising is sitting still on a round
stool and everlastingly running your fingers up and down on
the piano. That is called playing the scale, and repeating it
over and over is called finger practise."
"OH, DID YOU FIND MY SCARF AND BRING IT BACK TO ME?" SHE
ASKED.

"Why do you have to practise?" asked Vinzi in wonder.

"Because one has to obey," answered Alida, "and Miss

Landrat ordered me to practise from two to three o'clock
every day. I have no lessons here like I do in Hamburg, but
every time papa comes down here, I have to promise again
to obey my governess. You see papa is up at the baths with
mama because she is sick."

"How did you learn to play that pretty piece?" asked

Vinzi who had listened to all this with intense interest.
 "Oh, that is easily done when one has to practise so
much. All one has to do is to play the notes that are written
there," she explained.

"Then you are fortunate to be able to do so much

practising," said Vinzi, and he gazed at the piano with such
longing that Alida suddenly remembered the reward he had
asked.

"Now I will play for you," she said.

Vinzi stared at her flying fingers in amazement and

Alida saw in the mirror above the piano how he followed her
playing. That pleased her and she repeated the Spring Song
but stopped suddenly in the middle of it, whirled around on
the stool and asked, "Would you like to learn to play the
piano?"

Vinzi's eyes sparkled, but only for a moment; the next,

he gazed at the floor and said sadly, "That I can never do."

"Why, yes, you can very easily," returned Alida with

conviction. "I can teach you. You will soon learn all I know,
and you can practise with me. That will be much more fun
than for me to sit alone. Then you can play little pieces like
this one that pleases you so much."

Vinzi's eyes grew larger and larger with astonishment

and longing. Unbelievable happiness was suddenly before
him; he need only say yes. He could not grasp it.

"If it pleases you, say yes quickly, that you really wish
it," said Alida a little impatiently. "Then you must come here
every day at two o'clock, like today, because then Miss
Landrat takes a walk with Hugo and I have to practise until
three o'clock or sometimes even later, until they return. So
we will be quite alone and I will teach you everything."