his eyes
and mouth. He lost no time in striking his one lone match and lighting
the slender taper in his hand, much to the relief of the group hovering
anxiously about the shaft.

"There!" he heard Susie ejaculate. "I was sure he had killed himself."

"You mean that Toady did," spluttered the indignant Billiard. "What do
you think my head is made of--iron?"

"_I_ couldn't tell that it would hit you on the head, could I?"
protested the younger boy apologetically. "Why didn't you dodge?"

"Dodge? D'ye think I'm a cat with eyes that see in the dark?"

"Never mind," soothed Irene, who had ventured near enough the curbing
to take an occasional peep down into the blackness. "It's too bad it
hurt you. Put some cold water on the bump----"

A derisive shout from her sisters stopped her, and even Billiard had to
smile, though he felt grateful toward the little twin who was sorry he
was hurt. By this time the pale candle flame had ceased to sputter and
flicker uncertainly, but burned with a steady light, and with a thrill
of exultation Billiard looked curiously about him, relieved to find no
snakes or crawly things in the abandoned shaft, and pleased beyond
measure to think he had actually braved the terrors of the dark to
explore this mysterious place, so he could crow over his brother and
cousins because of his courage.

"Say, but it's great down here," he called, venturing just inside the
timbered cross-cut and staring at the rocky walls which here and there
glistened alluringly. "And there's pecks of silver sticking out of
every stone. Why don't you come on down, Toady?"

"Can't till you come up. It's Susie and Inez now. Going, girls?"

"You bet!" cried Susie enthusiastically. "Pull up the bucket and help
me in."

Eagerly they turned the creaking old windlass and Susie descended to
join Billiard in his underground explorations. Being much lighter than
her cousin, it was easier to lower her down the shaft; and still easier
with Inez in the bucket; but once the trio were safely at the bottom,
the little group above became all impatience for their turn. Mercy's
courage had returned as she saw how simple an operation it was to let
down the loaded bucket, and even Irene began to feel a desire to
explore the mysteries of the abandoned mine with the rest of her mates.
Only Rosslyn and Janie hung back, but no one cared. In fact, it
simplified matters not to have to bother with such little tads; but it
was