've sold many vegetables yet," Sam replied,
laughingly.

"The plants are only just up, an' the stuff will be late; but the first
that is ripe I'm going to send you fellers, an' Bill and Joe."

The miners entered, while the spectators cheered loudly, and then the
idle ones dispersed, well content to know their time would soon come.

Skip returned to his garden, while Sam and Fred resumed their duties at
the store, but were interrupted an hour later by Mr. Wright, who said:

"It is important that a message be delivered in Blacktown before noon,
and there will be no train until late this afternoon. Do you boys feel
in trim for a ten mile tramp across the mountain?"

"Yes, sir, an' double the distance if necessary," Sam replied, promptly.

"Very well; wrap up some crackers and cheese while I write a letter."

Ten minutes later the two were on their way with no slight task before
them, for it would be necessary to travel over a rough country the
entire distance, since the journey by the road around the mountain could
not be performed in a day.

It was an agreeable change after having been confined to the store so
long, and they trudged on merrily, resolved to return in a more
leisurely fashion because Mr. Wright had said no more work would be
required of them until morning.

In three hours the message had been delivered, and they were on their
way home.

Little time was spent in the valley, but on ascending the mountain once
more a halt was made for lunch.

They were midway between Blacktown and Farley's. Not a dwelling could be
seen in either direction, and the boys speculated as to what the country
looked like before coal was found in the vicinity.

"I wonder what caused the first man to come here lookin' for it?" Sam
said, musingly.

"Most likely some one well up in geology was hunting for specimens, and
found an out-cropping vein."

"It must have been a mighty pleasant surprise."

"And one that I would like to experience. Just fancy poking around in
this way till you struck what could be easily turned into gold."

As he spoke Fred dug up the earth here and there with a stick, playing
the part, as he supposed, of the first discoverer, and at the same time
slowly ascending the mountain.

"Hold on; don't leave so soon. I'm just getting ready to rest in proper
style."

Fred turned around to return when he struck his toe against what
appeared to be a projecting rock, and fell headlong.

"That's what yo