Part 73 (1/2)
”Never sure of anything, since you've grown so tall,” grumbled Gwyn.
”No, I sha'n't chain up Grip; and I tell him what it is--I'm not going to interfere if the dog goes at him again, for he must have done something bad, or Grip wouldn't be so fierce.”
The dog p.r.i.c.ked up his ears on hearing his name, and gave the rug a few taps with his tail.
”He never so much as growls at any of the other men. Pretty state of things if one can't have one's dog about because some man hates him.
Pooh! I know, Joe.”
”Know what?”
”He hasn't got a job yet, and he's coming for the money father said he was to have till he got an engagement.”
”Did the guv'nor say that, sir?” cried Hardock.
”Yes.”
”Then Tom Dina.s.s won't never get no engagements, but set up for a gentleman, and I think I shall do the same, for work and me aren't the best of friends.”
”Get out!” said Gwyn, laughing; ”why, you're never happy unless you are at work--is he, Joe?”
”No, he's a regular nuisance. Always wanting to do something else, and stop late in the mine wasting the candles.”
”What a shame, Mr Joe!” said Hardock, grinning.
”It's quite true, Sam,” cried Gwyn. ”Done all that painting up of arrows on the walls near the water gallery?”
”Not quite, sir; I'm going to have a good long day at it on Friday.”
”Friday's an unlucky day,” said Joe.
”Not it, sir, when you want to get a job done. And I say, Mr Gwyn, come down with me. There's a long drift you've never seen yet, where there's some cracks and hollows chock full of the finest crystals I ever see.”
”Crystals?” cried Gwyn.
”In a new gallery?” said Joe, excitedly.
”Well, you may call it a new gallery if you like, sir,” said Sam, with a chuckle; ”I calls it the oldest drift I was ever in.”
”I should like to see that,” said Joe.
”Come down then, sir, but aren't it a bit strange that you've taken to like going down of late.”
”No; I like going down now, for it's all strange and interesting in the unexplored parts, when one can go down comfortably and not feel afraid of being lost.”
”Nay, but you might be still, sir,” said the captain, wagging his head.
”There's a sight of bits yet that would puzzle you, just as they would me. I have got a deal marked with directions, though, sir, and I sha'n't be quite at rest till I've done all. Then you gents'll come down on Friday?”
”Yes,” said Gwyn, ”and I'll bring a basket and hammer and chisel. Are they fine crystals?”
”Just the finest I've ever seen, sir; some of 'em's quite of a golden-black colour like peat water.”