s day; and as this little
gully had a gentle slope towards the sea, the water would be easily got
rid of by its own natural flow.

The boys were at the mouth of the shaft on one particular day, and as
the news had been spread that the first steps for drying the mine were
to be taken, half the people from the little village had sauntered up,
many of them being fisherfolk, and plenty of solemn conversation went
on, more than one weather-beaten old sage giving it as his opinion that
no good would come of it, for there was something wicked and queer about
this old mine, and they all opined that it ought not to have been
touched.

Gwyn noticed the head-shakings, and nudged Joe.

"Talking about the goblins in the mine," he answered. "I say, if there
are any, they'll come rushing up the big tube like the tadpoles did in
the garden pump when it was first made."

Just then Joe caught hold of his companion's arm, and pinched it.

"Hullo!" cried Gwyn.

"Hush! don't talk--don't look till I tell you which way. I've just seen
him."

"Seen whom?" said Gwyn, wonderingly.

"That big chap who was measuring the pit. He's over yonder with about a
dozen more men. What does it mean?"

"Mischief," said Gwyn, huskily. "Quick! Let's go and warn my father."

"What about? He may only have come up to see."

"I don't know," said Gwyn, excitedly. "Someone who wanted to get the
mine must have sent them up first of all, and, as they couldn't get it,
I'm afraid they've turned spiteful, and may try to do us harm. What
would they do, do you think?"

"Try and damage the machinery, perhaps," said Joe.

"Yes, that's it. We must warn father, and keep an eye on those fellows,
or there's no knowing what they may do. Where are they now?"

"Can't see them," said Joe, after a glance round. "They must have
gone."

"Yes, but where? Not to the engine-house, surely. Why, they might
upset the whole thing, and do no end of mischief if they liked. Come
on, and let's make sure that they are not there, and then tell Sam
Hardock to keep watch."

Joe had another look round the now thoroughly transformed place, with
its engine-house, sheds, and scaffold and wheel over the built-up shaft,
but he saw nothing, and said so. Still Gwyn was not satisfied, for a
peculiar feeling of dread oppressed him.

"It isn't easy to see for the people and the buildings--Ah, there's
father; let's go and tell him what we think."

It was quite time: for the