“But suppose you are never going to get it under?”
“Eh? No, I don’t s’pose anything of the kind. It’s fresh water, and we must soon bottom it.”
“But suppose it’s an underground river, Sam?” said Joe, sharply.
“Underground river, my lad? Then that will be a fine chance for you two. I should be for getting my tackle ready, and going fishing as soon as the water’s low enough. Who knows what you might ketch?”
“Nothing to laugh at, Sam,” said Gwyn, sternly. “If there should prove to be an underground stream, you’ll never pump the mine dry.”
“Never, sir, and I shouldn’t like to try; but,” the man continued with a twinkle of the eye, “the steam-engine will. That’s the beauty of these things—they never get tired. Here’s the guv’nors.”
Colonel Pendarve came up with the Major, both looking very serious, and evidently troubled by the slow progress over the water.
“Been down the shaft, Hardock?” said the former.
“Yes, sir; just come up.”
“Any better news?” said the Major, quickly.