Ben had a silver mine and made enough off of it to get mixed up with a German beauty, Helena. Ben also had a gold mine which according to Milt had about enough gold in it to buy a good beer. Little Billy found a rock, one that needed polishing. Later little Billy is a U.S. senator. Ben became an American prisoner in the Bataan Death March, holding on to his only treasure, the blue rock, which kept his spirit alive. Daria knew a lot, enough to realize the true value of gems . . . this is where the excitement begins. With the help of Frank, a gunsmith, Juliana, and with the retired senator keeping an eye on things, well, lots can happen . . . and does. Trying to rob nature's treasures out of the surface of the land is always an exciting rush, and frequently treacherous business. Values of precious gems and minerals always fluctuate and higher the value the more interesting life becomes.The second story in this book is about, a rich source of emeralds, in the deep Amazon Valley inhabited by both scrupulously honest Ramira native tribe whose culture depends on gambling, and then a few unscrupulous outsiders use gambling to sort out who gets what.