Part 23 (2/2)
”There's no telling yet what we may find in that mine, Joe,” said Gwyn; ”only we don't know enough chemistry to find out.”
”It's metallurgy, father says,” said Joe, correcting him.
”Never mind; it's chemistry all the same; and we must read more about it, and try experiments. Why, we might get gold and silver.”
”What, out of a tin mine?” said Joe, derisively.
”Well, why not? I don't know about the gold, but we may, perhaps. Sam Hardock said there were some specks in one bit of quartz he brought up.”
”But we shouldn't want specks; we should want lumps.”
”There's sure to be silver.”
”Why?” said Joe.
”Because there's lead, and I was reading with father about how much silver you can get by purifying the lead. It's going to be a wonderful business.”
”Hope so,” said Joe; ”but they're a precious long while getting the machinery together, and my father says the cost is awful.”
”Can't get a great pump in a mine ready to work like you can one in a back kitchen,” said Gwyn. ”See what an awkward job it is fitting the platforms for the tubing. I think they're doing wonders, seeing what a lot there is to get ready. Sam says, though, that he believes they'll begin pumping next month.”
But next month came round, and they did not begin pumping, for the simple reason that the machinery was not ready. Still it was in fair progress, and an arrangement was fixed so that, when the beam began to rise and fall, the water would be sent gus.h.i.+ng into the adit by which Gwyn had made his escape on that adventurous day; and as this little gully had a gentle slope towards the sea, the water would be easily got rid of by its own natural flow.
The boys were at the mouth of the shaft on one particular day, and as the news had been spread that the first steps for drying the mine were to be taken, half the people from the little village had sauntered up, many of them being fisherfolk, and plenty of solemn conversation went on, more than one weather-beaten old sage giving it as his opinion that no good would come of it, for there was something wicked and queer about this old mine, and they all opined that it ought not to have been touched.
Gwyn noticed the head-shakings, and nudged Joe.
”Talking about the goblins in the mine,” he answered. ”I say, if there are any, they'll come rus.h.i.+ng up the big tube like the tadpoles did in the garden pump when it was first made.”
Just then Joe caught hold of his companion's arm, and pinched it.
”Hullo!” cried Gwyn.
”Hus.h.!.+ don't talk--don't look till I tell you which way. I've just seen him.”
”Seen whom?” said Gwyn, wonderingly.
”That big chap who was measuring the pit. He's over yonder with about a dozen more men. What does it mean?”
”Mischief,” said Gwyn, huskily. ”Quick! Let's go and warn my father.”
”What about? He may only have come up to see.”
”I don't know,” said Gwyn, excitedly. ”Someone who wanted to get the mine must have sent them up first of all, and, as they couldn't get it, I'm afraid they've turned spiteful, and may try to do us harm. What would they do, do you think?”
”Try and damage the machinery, perhaps,” said Joe.
”Yes, that's it. We must warn father, and keep an eye on those fellows, or there's no knowing what they may do. Where are they now?”
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