‘Pooh!’ I said. ‘My dear fellow, your legal training has made you too suspicious. The poor old beggar may have an idea of prospecting that very shaft himself.’
‘He probably has,’ replied Treloar quietly. ‘Only don’t forget that he doesn’t like underground work.’
However, my companion had his own way, which, except in such matters as that of the snake-test, he generally did; and next morning saw us fixing our windlass at the summit of the big heap of mullock which towered above its fellows.
[81]
]We seldom got anything in such claims. They had mostly been worked by rich companies, and every ounce of wash-dirt removed.
It was pretty late by the time we had removed sufficient of the débris from the bottom of the shaft—too late to do more that night.
As we walked over to our camp, we caught a glimpse of ‘Brummy’ following us.
‘He’s been watching,’ said Treloar.
‘Nonsense!’ I replied impatiently. ‘You’re becoming a monomaniac.’
That evening our neighbour came over to our fire; and in consequence Kálee, in low threatening communion with herself, had to be put upon the chain.
‘Goin’ to try the big un?’ he asked presently.