in, mates, at
the shaft, to let the boss see, when he comes back, that we ha'n't been
idle in his absence; p'raps, too, we'll have something to show him in
the gold line, as I don't think as how we're far off the lode now."

"That's yer sort," echoed Seth, from amidst the pile of buffalo rugs
alongside one of the fires in the open space before the hut, where he
would persist in staying, to be the first to receive the rescue party on
their return, and where he said he could nurse his injuries far better
than going to bed in the anxious frame of mind he was in. "That's yer
sort, b'ys! Tackle to the job with a will, my hearties; it'll be a
durned sight better nor restin' on your oars and doin' nothin', as I'm
forced to do, like the battered old hulk I am!"

These cheery words from Tom Cannon and Seth had the desired effect of
restoring a little more activity to the scene around the creek; and the
small band of the remaining miners, dividing their attenuated forces
into two gangs and taking short shifts turn about at intervals, worked
with such praiseworthy diligence, that when Mr Rawlings and the other
adventurers arrived in safety near mid-day, escorting the recovered
Sailor Bill scatheless in triumph back to the camp, they had got through
a surprising amount of work. The tubbing had been put into position two
days before, and had been found to act admirably; the water had been
pumped out, and the men at work were driving to the left, as Ernest
Wilton thought that they were at present only on the wall of the lode,
which was a very strong one, and that it would be found much richer upon
the other wall.

As soon as mutual congratulations had been interchanged amongst the
leaders, and the joy of the whole party at being once more reunited had
somewhat subsided, Tom Cannon, and one of the leading miners who had
been last down the new shaft, approached the spot where Mr Rawlings,
Ernest Wilton, and Noah Webster were grouped, chatting together, with
Seth--behind whom Sailor Bill had taken up his usual place, on his
return to camp, with his customary apathetic air, the boy not exhibiting
the slightest increase of animation, despite all the excitement and
unwonted scenes through which he had recently passed, or any return to
that sudden change of demeanour, almost amounting to a fit of frenzy,
which he had again displayed for an instant, as Seth asserted, when he
interposed to save his life from the onslaught of the savage,