om Darrell surmised to be
Parkinson, was considerably older and was seated facing the younger
man, hence his back was towards Darrell; while the third member of the
party, and by far the eldest, of whose face Darrell had a perfect
profile view, although saying little, seemed an interested listener.

The man whom Darrell supposed to be Parkinson inquired the quickest way
of reaching the Ajax mine.

"Well, you see it's this way," replied the young fellow. "The Ajax is on
a spur that runs out from the main line at Ophir, and the train only
runs between there and Ophir twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Let's see, this is Wednesday; we'll get into Ophir to-morrow, and you'll
have to wait over until Saturday, unless you hire a rig to take you out
there, and that's pretty expensive and an awfully rough jaunt besides."

"I don't mind the expense," retorted the other, "but I don't know as I
care to go on any jaunts over your mountain roads when there's no
special necessity for it; I can get exercise enough without that."

"I tell you what, Mr. Parkinson," said the young fellow, cordially, "you
and your friend here, Mr. Hunter,"--Darrell started at the mention of
the latter name,--"had better wait over till Saturday, and in the mean
time I'll take you people out to Camp Bird, as we call it, and show you
the Bird Mine; that's our mine, you know, and I tell you she is a
'bird,' and no mistake. You'll be interested in looking her over, though
I'll tell you beforehand she's not for sale."

"Do I understand that you have an interest in this remarkable mine, Mr.
Whitcomb?" Parkinson inquired, a tinge of amusement in his tone.

"Not in the way you mean; that is, not yet, though there's no telling
how soon I may have if things turn out as I hope," and the boyish cheek
flushed slightly. "But I know what I'm talking about all the same.
My uncle, D. K. Underwood, is a practical mining man of nearly thirty
years' experience, and what he doesn't know about mines and mining isn't
worth knowing. He's interested in a dozen or so of the best mines in the
State, but I don't think he would exchange his half-interest in the Bird
Mine for all his other holdings put together. She's a comparatively new
mine yet, but taking into consideration her depth and the amount of
development, she's the best-paying mine in the State. Here, let me show
you something." And hastily pulling a note-book from his pocket, he took
therefrom a narrow slip of pap