Part 27 (1/2)

”Which we won't travel in a hurry, when we're enjoined,” jeers Ralph.

With this, he explains to his daughter the methods of mining that are employed, showing her the air as it rushes out of the tin air-pipe, to give life and vitality to the miners employed below.

This inspection doesn't take long, and, a few minutes after, they return to the station, followed by Lot.

Just here, however, Travenion says: ”I haven't had a look at this other drift for a good while. I think I'll make a little examination of it now,” and goes into the unused level.

When he reaches the fourth set of timbers from the shaft, by the light of his candle, Erma sees him put his hands on them, and lean against them, as he examines the face of the drift.

”Would you like to come in, Kruger?” he asks. ”I find nothing.”

”Seein's believin'!” cries Kruger, and makes an examination also. Then the two men come back to the station.

Erma notices that Lot has left his genial spirits in the bottom of the mine, for when they are hoisted to the surface he turns round and says: ”Tranyon, unless we get the Mineral Hill, we don't get anything.”

”And for that we have got to fight them,” answers Ralph. Then he continues: ”By the bye, you know Captain Lawrence has engaged Parshall & Garter. We have got a big fight on our hands, and I suspect I'll have to a.s.sess you.”

”How much?” gasps Kruger.

”Well, I guess about twenty-five hundred dollars will do for your share, as a starter.”

”As a starter!” screams Lot, who, though comfortably off for a Mormon, is not rich like Travenion.

”Yes, for just a little bit of a starter. It's going to cost me one hundred thousand dollars, perhaps more, to fight this case, and you don't suppose I'm going to spend _all_ the money, do you, bishop?”

”Great Zion! You talk of money as if it was water!” groans Kruger. Then he mutters to himself: ”I wish I could get out of this thing!”

Leaving him to digest this unpleasant communication, Travenion takes his daughter's arm, and they walk to the end of the dump pile. Here he points out to her various mining locations and things of interest on the scene.

Up to the right, about a mile, is the big ledge of the Eureka Mining Company, then in litigation also. Across the West Tintic Valley, over thirty miles of sage brush, is the Scotia Mine. To the left, Silver City and Diamond.

”But where is Captain Lawrence's mine, the Mineral Hill?” asks the young lady eagerly.

”Just up a little and further to our right--about three hundred feet;”

and Travenion pointing out the spot, Erma places such anxious eyes upon it that her father whispers: ”No hope of seeing your young man now! He doesn't know yet his injunction is discontinued. He'll be down in a day or two!” and pats her cheek, and laughs as if he had hopes himself from this enterprising young Gentile Philistine.

Just here they are interrupted by Kruger, who comes up suddenly and mumbles: ”Bishop, I'd like to sell out!”

”Who to?” jeers Ralph. ”Law-suits are too plenty around here for most people to want to buy them.”

”To you!” says Lot. ”You're the only man can handle this thing properly.

Then you'll have the whole of it.”

”I think I have enough now, considering I've rather an expensive family,” returns Travenion, and his eyes regard his daughter laughingly but lovingly.

”You won't buy my stock?” appeals Kruger again.

”Not unless you name a _very_ low figure, bishop.”

”So I will,” cries Lot. ”I ain't no good at mining, nohow. If 'twas cattle, or farmin', I'd stand any man off!”