and I began to think no one would come. Every now and then I
could hear voices, but when I called my voice seemed to float out to
sea. There, you know the rest. But that's an adit, isn't it, Sam
Hardock?"

"Ay, my lad, and lucky for you it was there. You see, the water must
run off by it out to sea when the top rises so high. But I never knew
there was an opening from seaward into the mine. Being right up there,
nobody could see it. Why it must be 'underd and fifty feet above the
shore."

"It looked more," said Gwyn, with a shudder.

"There, I say, hadn't you better get home and change your things, my
lad? You're pretty wet still. If you take my advice, you'll go off as
fast as you can."

"Yes," said Joe, "you'd better. But we haven't done much to examine the
mine."

"Eh?" cried Hardock, "I think we have. Found out that there's an adit
for getting rid of the water and the spoil. Not bad for one day's
work."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE MINE FEVER.

"You'll have to tell them at home, Ydoll," said Joe as they reached the
rough stone-wall which enclosed the Colonel's estate. "What shall you
say?"

"Oh, just what happened," replied Gwyn; "but the job is how to begin.
It's making the start."

"Pst! Look out!" whispered Joe. "Here is your father."

"Good-morning, Hardock," said the Colonel, coming upon the group
suddenly.

"I hope you haven't been filling my boy's head with more stuff about
mining. Why, halloa, Gwyn; how did you get in that state? Where's your
cap?"

"Down the mine-shaft, father," replied the lad; and he found no
difficulty about beginning. In a few minutes the Colonel knew all.

"Most reckless--most imprudent," he cried. "You ought to have known
better, sir, than to lead these boys into such a terrible position; and
how dare you, sir--how dare you begin examining my property without my
permission!"

"Well you see, Colonel," began Hardock, "I thought--be doing you good,
like, and as a neighbour--"

"A neighbour, indeed! Confounded insolence! Be off, sir! How dare
you! Never you show yourself upon my land again. There, you, Gwyn,
come home at once and change your clothes; and as for you, Jollivet, you
give my compliments to your father and tell him I say he ought to give
you a good thrashing, and if he feels too ill to do it, let him send you
down to me, and I will. Now, Gwyn; right face. March!"

The Colonel led off his son, and Hardock and Joe stood looking at e