ventful night it was to prove.

"You'll come up by and by," I shouted, when he was about half-way down;
and he sent back a cheery reply that he would, as I went on along the
Gap.

I found my father seated before his books entering some statement by the
light of a candle, and as I came in he thrust the book from him wearily.

"Oh, there you are, then," he said good-humouredly. "Look here, young
fellow, I don't see why I should go on worrying and toiling over this
mine just to make you well off. I was happy and comfortable enough
without it, and here am I wearing myself out, getting no pleasure and no
change, and all for you."

"Sell it then, father," I said. "I don't want you to work so hard for
me. I don't want to be rich. Give it up."

"No," he said smiling; "no, Sep. It gives me a great deal of care and
anxiety, but I do not mind. The fact is, Sep, I was growing fat and
rusty, and loosing my grip on the world. A do-nothing life is a
mistake, and only fit for a pet dog, and him it kills. I wanted
interesting work, and here it is, and I am making money for you at the
same time."

"But I don't think I want much money, father," I said.

"Maybe you will when you grow older."

"I wish I could help you better," I said.

"Help me? Why, I am quite satisfied with you, my boy. You help me a
great deal. There, put away those books, and let us have some supper.
I find we have nearly eight thousand ounces of silver down below here,
and it's far too much to have in our charge. We must get it away, Sep,
as soon as we can."

"What would eight thousand ounces be worth?" I said.

"Somewhere about two thousand pounds, my lad. But there, let's have
some supper, and then I should like to have a pipe for half an hour in
the soft fresh air."

A tray was already waiting upon a side-table, and bringing it to occupy
the place where the books had lain, we sat down and ate a hearty meal
before we had done, after which I lifted the tray aside, and handed my
father the tobacco jar.

In a few minutes he began to fill his pipe, and when he had lit it, I
sat watching him and noticed how the soft thin smoke began to curl about
his face, and float up between me and the row of cutlasses and pistols
with the belts that were arranged along the wall.

"Now, let's have ten minutes' fresh air before we go to bed," he said
rising. "You don't want to come, I suppose."

"Oh, yes, I'll come," I replied, and I stepped out with hi