eBooks Base 2000

But
Westcott chose to follow none of these, lest he run into some
ambuscade. The fellow who had fired into the shack was,
unquestionably, hiding somewhere in the darkness, probably along one of
these trails in the hope of completing his work.
To avoid encountering him the miner crept along the far side of the
cabin through the dense shadow, and then struck directly across the
hill crest, guided by the distant gleam of light. It was a rough
climb, dangerous in places, but not unfamiliar. Slowly and silently,
cautious to dislodge no rolling stone, and keeping well concealed among
the rocks, he finally descended to the level of the shaft feeling
confident that his presence was not discovered. He was near enough now
to hear the noise of the hoisting-engine, and to mark the figure of the
engineer in the dim light of a lantern.
Rock was being brought up the shaft, and cast onto the dump, but was
evidently of small value, proof to the mind of the watcher that the
gang below were merely engaged in tunnel work, and had not yet struck
ore in any paying quantity.


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