Back of them stood the teamster, who had just come up with the horses.
"Am I to take that stuff and dump it down the ravine?" he asked slowly.
"If you do," retorted Ferrers heatedly, "I'll hammer in the top of your head, Andy! Reade, won't you pick out what you want for the site of the ore-dump. We've got some real ore at last!" One of the two hoist-men now ran to the shaft, shouting down the great news.
"Hold on there, Bill," Tom called dryly. "Don't get the boys excited over what may turn out to be nothing. Don't tell 'em any more than that we have——-"
"Tell 'em yourself, boss," retorted Bill. "Here they come!"
From the ladder a steady stream of men discharged itself until the last one was up.
"Where are you going, Tim?" called Tom, turning just in time to note big Walsh's movements.
"Going to call Mr. Hazelton, sir."
"Don't do it. Don't get him stirred up for nothing."
"For nothing, boss?"