xclaimed 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 ba