“Yes. Why not? We needn’t do anything risky. I haven’t been there since the day the pump was started. Have you?”
“No; haven’t been near it.”
“Then come on!”
Gwyn set the example of descending by lowering his legs over the side, gripping the angle with his knees, and let himself down cleverly, Joe following directly after; while Grip, who had uncurled himself, bounded away before them full of excitement.
A week had resulted in a good deal of work being done by the many men employed; the roughly-made office had been advanced sufficiently for the two old officers to take possession, and spend a good deal of time in consultation with Hardock, who was at work from daylight to dusk, superintending, and was evidently most eager for the success of the mine. The tall granite shaft was smoking away, and the puffs of steam and the whirring, buzzing noises told that the engine was fully at work, while a dull heavy clank, clank, came to the boys from the mouth of the shaft.
The first person almost that they set eyes upon was Hardock, who came bustling out of the building over the mouth of the shaft, and stopped short to stare. Then, giving his leg a heavy slap, his face expanded into a grin of welcome.
“There you are, then, both of you at last. Why, where have you been all this time?”
“Oh, busy at home,” said Gwyn, evasively.
“Come to knock up an accident of some kind!” said the man, with the grin on his face expanding.
“No, I haven’t,” said Gwyn, shortly.