Chapter 8 - Page 2

exclaimed Ford, stopping suddenly. "Another step,
and perhaps we shall fall into some fathomless pit."

"Let us rest awhile, then, my friends," returned the engineer.
"Besides, we ought to be thinking of returning to the cottage."

"Our lamp will give light for another ten hours, sir," said Harry.

"Well, let us make a halt," replied Starr; "I confess my legs
have need of a rest. And you, Madge, don't you feel tired
after so long a walk?"

"Not over much, Mr. Starr," replied the sturdy Scotchwoman;
"we have been accustomed to explore the old Aberfoyle mine
for whole days together."

"Tired? nonsense!" interrupted Simon Ford; "Madge could go
ten times as far, if necessary. But once more, Mr. Starr,
wasn't my communication worth your trouble in coming to hear it?
Just dare to say no, Mr. Starr, dare to say no!"

"Well, my old friend, I haven't felt so happy for a long while!"
replied the engineer; "the small part of this marvelous mine that we
have explored seems to show that its extent is very considerable,
at least in length."

"In width and in depth, too, Mr. Starr!" returned Simon Ford.

"That we shall know later."

"And I can answer for it! Trust to the instinct of an old miner!
It has never deceived me!"

"I wish to believe you, Simon," replied the engineer, smiling.
"As far as I can judge from this short exploration, we possess
the elements of a working which will last for centuries!"

"Centuries!" exclaimed Simon Ford; "I believe you, sir!
A thousand years and more will pass before the last bit of coal
is taken out of our new mine!"

"Heaven grant it!" returned Starr. "As to the quality of the coal
which crops out of these walls?"

"Superb! Mr. Starr, superb!" answered Ford; "just look at it yourself!"

And so saying, with his pick he struck off a fragment of the black rock.

"Look! look!" he repeated, holding it close to his lamp;
"the surface of this piece of coal is shining! We have here fat coal,
rich in bituminous matter; and see how it comes in pieces,
almost without dust! Ah, Mr. Starr! twenty years ago this
seam would have entered into a strong competition with Swansea
and Cardiff! Well, stokers will quarrel for it still, and if it
costs little to extract it from the mine, it will not sell
at a less price outside."

"Indeed," said Madge, who had taken the fragment of coal and was
examining it with the air of a connoisseur; "that's good quality
of coal. Carry it home, Simon, carry it back to the cottage!
I want this first piece of coal to burn under our kettle."

"Well said, wife!" answered the old overman, "and you shall see
that I am not mistaken."

"Mr. Starr," asked Harry, "have you