Part 3 (2/2)

”'Cause you two couldn't pull me up again. It's a job for a boy.”

”Then let's send down Joe Jollivet. He isn't worth much if we lose him.”

”Oh, I say,” began the boy in dismay; but he read the twinkle in his companion's eye, and laughed.

”I wouldn't mind going down. Is the rope strong?”

”Strong?” said the mining captain. ”Think I should have brought it if it warn't? Hold a schooner.”

”Shall I go down, Gwyn?”

The lad addressed did not answer for a few moments, but stood leaning over the rocky wall, gazing down into a square pit cut through the stone, the wall having been placed there for protection in case four or two-legged creatures pa.s.sed that way.

”But look here,” said Joe; ”would it be safe?”

”Safe, lad? Do you think I'd let you go if it warn't? How could I face all your fathers and mothers after?”

”But are you sure you could hold me if I went,” said Joe, who began to look anxious.

”Feel here,” said the man, rolling up his sleeves. ”There's muscle!

There's bone! That's something like a man's arm, aren't it? Hold you?

Half-a-dozen on you. Man either.”

Joe drew a deep sigh.

”I'll go,” he said.

”No, you won't,” cried Gwyn, fiercely. ”It's my father's place, and I ought to go.”

”But I wouldn't mind, Ydoll,” said Joe, excitedly.

”I know that, but I'll go first, and you help Sam Hardock.”

”Ay, you help me, my lad. I know'd he'd have the pluck to go down.”

”You're sure of the rope, Sam?”

”Sure? There, don't you go down if you're afraid.”

”Who feels afraid?” cried Gwyn, hotly. ”There, how's it to be? Throw the rope down and slide?”

”No, no,” growled the man.

”Loop and sit in it?”

”Nay; I'm too fearful over you, my lad. But do you mean it?”

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