Ten minutes later the two were on their way with no slight task before them, for it would be necessary to travel over a rough country the entire distance, since the journey by the road around the mountain could not be performed in a day.
It was an agreeable change after having been confined to the store so long, and they trudged on merrily, resolved to return in a more leisurely fashion because Mr. Wright had said no more work would be required of them until morning.
In three hours the message had been delivered, and they were on their way home.
Little time was spent in the valley, but on ascending the mountain once more a halt was made for lunch.
They were midway between Blacktown and Farley's. Not a dwelling could be seen in either direction, and the boys speculated as to what the country looked like before coal was found in the vicinity.
"I wonder what caused the first man to come here lookin' for it?" Sam said, musingly.
"Most likely some one well up in geology was hunting for specimens, and found an out-cropping vein."
"It must have been a mighty pleasant surprise."
"And one that I would like to experience. Just fancy poking around in this way till you struck what could be easily turned into gold."
As he spoke Fred dug up the earth here and there with a stick, playing the part, as he supposed, of the first discoverer, and at the same time slowly ascending the mountain.