They argued with Morris as to the uselessness of this resolution. He admitted that the Aurora wasn’t worth fighting over, but urged that it riled him to have it drop into the clutches of such small potatoes as Old Bob and his pals.
Finally, however, it was agreed that the question of defending the Aurora should be left until the attacking party appeared; and, meanwhile, that they would devote themselves to getting their own property into still better shape.
That night, relieved of the strain of watching, they had a long and refreshing sleep, continued until far into the morning, for this was Sunday.
The day of rest passed quietly.
Early on Monday they were at work again, Morris helping. Two had picks and labored in the interior of the tunnel, enlarging the passage-way. A third shoveled the rock torn down into a wheelbarrow and carried it part way out, where the fourth gave him an empty wheelbarrow, took his full one, and dumped the débris at the mouth of the mine.
By this arrangement somebody was outside nearly all the time and could watch against any surprise from the enemy, at the same time contributing his share of labor.
All of Tuesday and Wednesday they were undisturbed, and made such good progress that by Wednesday evening a man could pass readily into the farthest part of the mine, the barricade protecting the cross-cut easily against any enemy who could get to it by way of the flooded Aurora. It was a great gain in another direction, too, for they were expecting Mr. Anderson, and could now show him the whole length of the mine.