x, and then begin to flow steadily along the adit; the
boys, after a glance or two down the deep shaft, now one intricacy of
upright ladder and platform, hurrying off to where a series of ladders
had been affixed to the face of the cliff, down which they went, to
reach a strongly-built platform at the mouth of the adit.

It was rather different from the spot on which Gwyn had knelt a few
months before, waiting for help to come and rescue him from his perilous
position, and he thought of it, as he descended the carefully-secured
ladders, connected with the rock face by means of strong iron
stanchions.

"I say, Joe," he cried, as they descended, "better than hanging at the
end of a rope. Why, it's safe as safe."

"So long as you don't let go," was the reply from above him.

"Well, don't you let go, or you'll be knocking me off. I say, I wonder
what the birds think of it all."

"Don't seem to mind it much," replied Joe. "But I suppose we sha'n't
leave these ladders here when the mine-shaft is all right."

"No, because we shall go along the adit, that way. Father says Sam
Hardock wants the gallery widened a little, so that a tramway can be
laid down, and then he'll run trucks along it, and tilt all the rubbish
into the sea."

"Yes, young gentlemen, that's the way," said a voice below them. "So
you're coming down to have a look?"

"I say, Sam, you startled me," cried Gwyn. "Well, how does the pump
work?"

"Splendidly, sir; here's a regular stream of water coming along, and
running into the sea like a cascade, as they call it. Only ten more
steps, sir. That's it! Mind how you come there. None too much room.
We must have a strong rail all round here, or there'll be some accident.
Two more steps, Mr Joe. That's the way! Now then, sir, don't this
look business-like?"

The boys were standing now on the platform, whose struts were sloping to
the rock below, and through an opening between them and the mouth of the
adit the water came running out, bright and clear, to plunge down the
face of the cliff in a volume, which promised well for draining the
mine.

"Why, it won't take long to empty the place at this rate," cried Joe, as
he knelt upon the platform and gazed down at the falling water, which
dropped sheer for about twenty feet, then struck the rock, glanced off,
and fell the rest of the way in a broken sheet of foam, which rapidly
changed into a heavy rain.

"No, sir, it won't take very long," said