"Of that you can rest assured," Darrell replied.
As the sun climbed towards the zenith they returned to the cabin and seated themselves on a broad settee of rustic work under an overhanging vine near the cabin door.
"I have been wondering ever since I came here," said Darrell, "how you ever discovered such a place as this. It is so unique and so appropriate to the surroundings."
"I discovered," said Mr. Britton, with slight emphasis on the word, "only the 'surroundings.' The cabin is my own work."
"What! do you mean to say that you built it?"
"Yes, little by little. At first it was hardly more than a rude shelter, but I gradually enlarged it and
beautified it, trying always, as you say, to keep it in harmony with its surroundings."
"Then you are an artist and a genius."
"But that is not the only work I did during the first months of my life here. Come with me and I will show you."
He led the way along the trail, farther up the mountain, till a sharp turn hid him from view. Darrell, following closely, came upon the entrance of an incline shaft leading into the mountain. Just within he saw Mr. Britton lighting two candles which he had taken from a rocky ledge; one of these he handed to Darrell, and then proceeded down the shaft.