“You heard the promise that Gil made, which was more than reasonable, considerin’ they’re entitled to everything if the matter should go inter a court of law, an’ now hold your tongues,” Jenkins said, angrily. “We’re standin’ here fightin’ when at least one of us should be in the shaft to know if anything is goin’ on wrong outside, an’ there’ll be plenty of time to settle the division part when we’ve found all that’s below.”
“You are takin’ up more time chinnin’ than we did,” the older of the men replied, insolently, and Gil began to regret having made the discovery so soon.
Jenkins remained silent a moment as if trying to decide what should be done to check the apparent mutiny before it assumed dangerous proportions, and Gil whispered:
“Don’t pay any attention to what they say. Neither of them will be dissatisfied after father comes, no matter how much we may find.”
“I was wonderin’ whether we hadn’t better stop the whole thing right here, an’ let the captain——”
He ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant a shrill cry was heard from the direction of the shaft, and Nelse said, as he ran forward:
“That was Andy! The blacks have got hold of him!”
CHAPTER XXV.
TO THE RESCUE.
As the boys started down the tunnel in response to the continued cries for help, Jenkins extinguished the torch and caught up the rope.