1 «^s;!%^s?g^ I •-/! I I 1 M I UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES #■ ^ A ^■ '^;>; ■* fJ^iSJ m^- %^-^<'' ^y^'/ THE MASTER OF THE MINE VOL. I. J'RIXTED BT SPOTTISWOODE AXD CO., NKW-STUnKT SQUARR LONDON THE MASTER OF THE MINE » » » H * r • > .»,»•* » » * »1 »«>J»J3 > 5 1 » » . ». ,. ,By ' ' KDBERT ' * Bl}CftA]SrAN AUTHOR OF 'GOD AND THE MAN'' 'THE SHADOW OF THE SWORD' ETC. 'The visions of the earth were gone and fled — He saw the giant Sea above his head' Keats' Eiifivmion IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. I. LONDON RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON STREET iJublisbns in (i)rbin;un lo i)tr ||laJEstn tbc 6?urrn 1885 Ml riyhts reserved J a • • I \ -K i CONTENTS r^ OF ,x THE FIEST VOLUME. PAGE ^ I. A PROLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE , 1 II. NEMESIS INTERVENES . . . .16 III. AFTER TEN YEARS, I BEGIN LIFE IN EARNEST . . , . . . 30 IV. JOHN RUDD, POET AND CARRIER . . 43 V. ANNIE 65 VL FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE MINE. — UNDER THE SEA ...... 86 VII. A VISIT OF INSPECTION . , . . 98 VIII. I PLAY THE SPY 118 20631 VI CONTEXTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME IX.- ANMES CONFESSION X. THE LETTER XI. THE GREAT STORM XU. THE SURVIVORS OF THE WRECK XIII. MADELINE GRAHAM XIV. A SUNBEAM IN THE COTTAGE XV. UNDER THE SPELL XVI. BY THE SEA X\ll. A WALK ACROSS THE MOOR XVIII. I RECEIVE MY CONGE XIX. THE NEW OVERSEER XX. IN LONDON I'AGK . 133 144 loa . 173 186 . 201 . 214 . 224 . 241 . 254 . 269 . 282 f THE MASTEE OF THE MINE. CHAPTER I. A PROLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE. In a large wooden building, not far from the seashore, a building attached as schoolhouse to ' Munster's Boarding Academy for Young Gentlemen,' I, Hugh Trelawney, then scarcely ten years old, was moping alone. I had only arrived two days before from London, where I had parted from my father, a travelling lecturer in the cause of what was then known as the New Moral World. My mother had long been dead, and I had led a somewhat neglected life, sometimes accompanying my father on his VOL. I. B 2 THE MASTER OF THE MINE wanderings, more often being left to the care, or carelessness, of strangers. At last I had been sent to Southampton to complete a very perfunctory education. It was afternoon, and a half-holiday ; my new schoolfellows were playing close by. For myself, I was too used to loneliness to be very miserable. I merely felt an outcast for the time being, and took no interest whatever in my new associations. As I sat thus, I must have fallen into a brown study, from which a slight sound startled me. Looking up, I met the flash of two dark eyes which were intently regarding me. ' Are you the new boy ? ' said a clear voice. I nodded, and stared at my interrogator, a girl of about my own age, whose black eye- brows were knitted in a way very curious in so ycung a child as she seemed. A PROLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE 3 Her arms and neck were bare, and sbe was fondling a kitten, whose bright eyes and hs- som movements seemed to have somethinsj in common with her own beauty. I noticed, too, that she wore earrings, and that they were very bright and gUstening. ' What is your name ? ' she continued, in the same clear questioning tone, altogether with the manner of a superior who was not to be trifled with. ' Hugh.' ' Hugh what ? ' ' Hugh Trelawney.' felt somewhat overawed by the tone of the little lady, who, to my boyish eyes, seemed much more my senior than she was in reality. She continued to regard me with the same keen scrutiny, and then said, looking at my attire : 'Who is dead?' B 2 4 THE MASTER OF THE MINE I still wore black for my mother, and, with a somewhat faltering voice, I told her so. She did not seem surprised, and expressed no sympathy ; but, walking to the schoolroom window, looked out, saying, 'Why don't you go out and play with the other boys ? ' * I don't care about play. I am tired.' ' Tired with what ? ' she questioned quickly. I made no reply, for I was not prepared for the question. I had meant to imply that I was low-spirited and dull, but had not cared to confess so much in so many words. She understood me, however, and, although she seemed indifferent to my condition, troub- led me with no more questions. Glad to direct her attention from myself, for her bright eyes troubled me and made me feel ashamed, I stooped down and stroked the kitten, which she had placed upon the floor. A PKOLOGUE, AXD THE FIRST SCENE 5 Even as I did so, I could feel her eyes still fixed upon me ; but when I looked up again with an annoyed expression, she turned her eyes away, and laughed. This emboldened me, and I beo:an to question in my turn. 'Are you the schoolmaster's daughter.^' At this she laughed the more — so brightly and pleasantly, w^ith such a good-humoured sympathy with my blunder, that my first impression of her began to improve, and I saw that, besides being a rather imperious, she was a very pretty young lady. ' Why do you laugh ? ' I remarked. ' At you,' she replied ; ' because you take me for IMr. Munster's child. I am a stranger here, like yourself. My people live far away in South America, and are very rich. My mother is dead, and I don't remember her. My father has sent me here to be taught ; but b THE MASTER OF THE MINE I shall soon go back to him. Have you a father ? ' she added, quickly. I nodded. * Is he kind to you, and was it he that sent you to school ? ' she asked. But without waiting for my reply to her questions, she continued : ' My father cried when I left him, though he is a great man, and when he gave me these earrings, he told me my mother had worn them before me, and he kissed them. We live far away from here, in a brighter place. Don't you hate England ? ' This was rather a startling query, but being in a state of mind bordering on disgust for life in general, I readily assented. Her eyes gleamed. ' It is a dreary place,' she cried — ' dull and miserable, and it rains nearly every day. But it is different where I come from. It is always bright there, and there are flowers everywhere, A PKOLOGUE, AND THE FIKST SCENE / and the trees are full of fruit ; aud there are bright insects, and beautiful snakes without stings, that can be taught to twine round your neck, and feed out of your hand.' As she spake thus, indeed, it seemed that I was transported to the land of which she spoke : her eyes were so sparkling, her face so bright and sunny, her form so foreign in its slender beauty, — and her earrings glistened, and her beautiful ivory teeth gleamed, — and I saw her walking in that land, a wonder among all wonders there, with fruits and flowers over her head, and brilliant insects floating round her, and luminous snakes gleaming harmless in her path, and dusky slaves waiting upon her and doing her courtesies. For it must be borne in mind that I had been a studious boy, fond of reading wild books of travel and adventure, and of picturing in my mind the wonders of foreicn lands. Much that I had 8 THE MASTER OP THE MINE fancied of dwellers in distant regions was realised in the face I now beheld for the first time. At what age is a beautiful human creature — and more particularly one belonging to the f^entler sex — insensible to admiration ? I am certain that my new friend perceived mine, and that it did not displease her. It was, at any rate, genuine homage, quietly expressed, almost against my will, in the pleased yet timid glances of my eyes. When she next spoke, her clear impetuous tone Avas greatly changed and softened, and a kinder light dwelt on her face. ' If you will come with me,' she said, ' I will show you the place. There is not much to see but the garden, and that I like well enough. Will you come ? ' I rose awkwardly, as if at a word of com- mand ; and, taking my cap from the peg where A PKOLOGUE, AXD THE FIRST SCENE 9 it liiing, swung it in my liand as I followed her to the door. Ashamed, yet pleased, to be chaperoned by a girl, I wondered what my schoolfellows would think of it. Close to the schoolroom was the play- ground, or rather the capacious piece of lawn, dignified by that name. My schoolfellows were playing cricket thereon. They paid no attention to me as I passed, but looked at my companion with a curious and not too friendly expression. She, for her part, passed along imperiously, without deigning to cast a single look in their direction ; and I noticed that her look had changed again, and that her dark brows w^ere knitted with the former unpleasant expression. She said nothing, however, for some minutes. Our first visit was to the top of a high knoll behind the house, whence we could see the sur- 10 THE MASTER OF THE MINE rounding country, and, some miles to the south- ward, the distant sea, with a white frost of billows on the edge of liver-coloured sands. It was a quiet, sunless day ; but far away there were gleams of watery light on the white sails of ships passing by under full canvas. The girl looked seaward at the passing sails with much the same pecuhar expression she had worn on our first encounter. How could I fathom her thoughts ? I guessed she was thinking of her home, but I was wrong. ' Are you clever ? ' she asked, suddenly. This was a question which I, as a modest boy, felt totally unprepared to answer. I looked at the ground, peeped at her, and laughed. Her expression did not change. ' I mean, do you know much,' she continued, in explanation. ' Have you learnt much before ? ' A PROLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE 11 I explained to her, as well as possible, that my acquirements were very slender indeed, and merely consisted of the stray crumbs of knowledge which I had been enabled to pick up at day schools in the various towns where my father had resided during my childhood. In point of fact, I was a thoroughly uncultivated httle boy, and had never been crammed with the solid pabulum so much in vogue at our public schools. I could read and write, of course, and knew arithmetic as far as the rule of three, and had got through the first four declensions in the Latin grammar ; but all was a chaos, and I had no accomplishments. I did not explain all this to my interrogator ; for I was too proud. ' If you are not clever, and know so little,' observed the girl, thoughtfully, 'take care of the other boys. Why don't you make friends with them ? Why do you like to sit alone, and 12 THE MASTER OF THE MINE be sullen ? If there were girls here, I should make friends, I know. But boys are different ; they have cruel ways, and they hate each other.' All this was said in a tone rather of re- flection than of conversation ; and she still kept her eyes on the distant ships, as if from some secret source far away the current of her thoughts was flowing. ' The boys hate me,' she pursued, ' because they think me proud. I am not proud, but I am quicker and cleverer than they are, and I come from a better place. I beat them in the class and at all things, except figures ; and I have helped the biggest of them sometimes, when they were too stupid to understand.' All this was a revelation to me. Until that moment I had never supposed that my com- panion's place was among the common scholars. During my first two days in school she had A PKOLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE 13 been absent — a circumstance whicli she soon explained to me without any questioning. 'I have been away on a visit, and only returned this morninsf. I do not come to school ever}^ day, because I have headaches, and my father will only have me learn when I please. Now let us go down and look at the garden. There are fruit-bushes there, and some of the fruit is ripe.' Still respectful and submissive, I followed, and we were soon wandering side by side in the quiet garden in the neighbourhood of the schoolhouse. Ever and anon, as we walked, I heard the shouts and cries of my playmates ; but they were wafted to me as from some for- saken life. A spell had been passed upon me, and I was in a dream. As I write, the dream sur- rounds me still. Years ebb backward, clouds part, the old horizons come nearer and nearer, 14 THE MASTER OF THE MINE and I am again wandering in the quiet shade of trees with the shining young face at my side. I can no longer recall looks and words. All becomes a tremor. I see the one face only, but the voice becomes inarticulate. What I remember last is a sudden sound dissolving a spell. A bell rung loudly from the house, and my companion uttered an exclamation — 'That is the bell for tea,' she exclaimed. ' You had better go.' And she ran before me up the path. She was nearly out of sight among the garden bushes when, urged by curiosity, I took courage, and called after her. ' What is your name ? ' I cried. She nodded back with a smile. ' Madeline,' she replied. ' Madeline Graham.' With that she was gone. For a moment I stood bewildered, and then, with quite a new light in A PROLOGUE, AND THE FIRST SCENE 15 my eyes, I made tlie best of my way into the house, and joined the boys at the tea-table. Although Mrs. Munster presided at the board, my new friend did not appear, and as I munched my bread-and-butter, I thought of her face with a kind of dreamy pleasure, delicious to recall even now. IG THE MASTER OF THE MINE CHAPTER 11. KEMESIS INTERVENES. In my hasty sketch of school, I have made httle or no mention of the schoohnaster and his wife. Indeed, so far as my present retrospection is concerned, they are nonentities ; and they form part of my story only in so mucli as they affected my relations with the leading actress in the life drama to which these chapters are the prelude. Mimster was a feeble-looking but talented little man, with a very high forehead, which he was constantly mopping with cold water, to subdue inordinate headaches ; and Mrs. Munster was a kind creature, with an enormous respect NEMESIS IXTERYEXES 17 for her lord, and quite a motherly interest in us boys, she having no children of her own. The manner of these good people was kind towards all ; but their treatment of Madeline Graham was blended with a sense of restraint almost bordering on fear. It Avas obvious that they had been instructed to treat her with more than ordinary solicitude, and it was equally obvious that they were liberally paid for so doing. When she broke from all restraint, as was the case occasionally, their concern for her per- sonal welfare was not unmixed with a fear lest open rupture might rob them of the instalments derived from theii* wealthiest pupil. Madeline, on her side, was perfectly conscious of this ; but, in justice it must be said, that she seldom took undue advantage of her position. The more I saw of Madeline Graham, the more I observed her manners and general VOL. I. C 18 THE MASTER OF THE MINE bearing, the more the thouglit of her possessed me, and blended with my quietest dreams. After that first interview she held somewhat aloof for many days, but her eyes were con- stantly watching me in school and at meals, though without any approach to further familiarity. She seemed desirous of keeping me at a distance, for reasons which I could not possibly penetrate. Gradually, however, we came together again. Madeline had not exaggerated when she boasted of excelling: the other scholars in brightness and intelligence. Her memory was extraordinary, and tasks which taxed all the energies of boyhood were easily mastered by her auick and restless brain. She was taught with the rest of us in the open school, and was generally at the head of her class. NEMESIS INTERVENES 19 It SO happened that I myself, although in many things dull and indifferent, was also gifted with a memory of uncommon tenacity. In all tasks which demanded the exercise of this func- tion I took a foremost place. Madeline was my most formidable rival, and we began, quietly at first, but afterwards with energy, to fight for the mastery. The competition, instead of severing, brought us closer to each other. Madeline respected the spirit which some- times subdued her, and I, for my part, loved her the better for the humanising touches of passion which my victory frequently awakened. We had been friends six months, the quiet round of school life had become familiar and pleasant to me, when, one day, at breakfast, I noticed that Munster wore a very troubled ex- pression, as he broke open the largest of a number of letters lying before him. The enve- c 2 20 THE MASTER OF TUE MINE lope was of peculiar yellow paper, and the post- mark looked foreign. Madeline, who sat close by, turned white and eager, and her great eyes fixed themselves on the strange missive. Within the letter to Munster, was a smaller one, which he handed to Madeline silently. With impetuous eagerness, she opened and read it. It was very short. As she glanced over it, her bosom rose and fell, her eyes brightened and filled with tears. To hide her trouble, she rose and left the room. Meanwhile, Munster evinced similar sur- prise and consternation. He bit his lips as he read his letter, and passed his hand nervously through his hair. Then, with a significant look, he passed the letter to his wife, who, reading it, in her turn became similarly troubled. XEMESIS INTERVENES 21 As he passed tlie letter to her, something dropped rustling to the floor, and Munster, looking rather red, stooped and picked it up. It was a curiously printed paper, and looked like the note of some foreim bank. Breakfast was finished — school began — but Madeline did not appear. Munster still looked fidgety and annoyed. As for myself, I was torn by sensations to which my little heart had been hitherto a stranger. I felt on the brink of a precipice, down which all that I held dear was disap- pearing. I could not eat, I could not say my tasks, I could not think. What was going to happen? I asked myself wildly again and again. At two o'clock, when we were summoned to dinner, no sight of Madeline. But by this time some hint of the truth was forcing itself upon me. 22 THE MASTER OF THE MINE A whisper liad passed round the school — ' Madehne Graham is going away ! ' Going away? Whither? To that far- distant, that mysterious land whence she had come, and whither I might never follow her ? Going away for ever ! Passing westward, and taking with her all that made my young life beautiful and happy. Could this be ? I shall never forget the agony of that day. I have had blows since, but none harder. I have felt desolation since, but none deeper. After scliool, I hung round the house, haunted every spot where she might be ex- pected to appear. I yearned to hear the truth from her own lips, I paced to and fro like a criminal awaiting his sentence. I could not bear the sight of the other boys, but kept to the secret places, moody and distracted. Quite late in the evening, I wandered into the garden — a favourite resort of ours. The NEMESIS INTERVENES 23 sun had sunk, but his slowly fading hght was still tinting the quiet place, and the shadows of trees and bushes were still distinct upon the ground. I had not been here long when I heard the foot I knew, and, turning, I beheld my little friend hastening towards me. She was pale, but otherwise composed, and said at once : ' Have you heard that I am going away ? ' I stammered something, I know not what ; it must have been inaudible. I had a sharp, choking sensation, and drooped my looks from hers. ' I have just got a letter from my father. I am to go back home immediately. See ! ' So saying, she placed in my hand the small enclosure which she had received from Munster in the morning. Seeing my puzzled look, she exclaimed : 24 THE MASTER OF THE MINE ' You may read it.' I did read it, in one quick, painful glance. I remember every word of it now. It was written in a large, bold hand, and ran as follows : — 'My own darling little Madeline, — You will hear from the good people witli whom you are living that a great change has taken place, and that you must come home at once. Wish a kind good-bye to all your friends in England ; perhaps you may never see them again. Come without delay to your loving father, ' EoDERicK Graham.' Prepared as I had been for the blow, it did not fall so heavily as it might have done. I struggled with my feelings, and choked down a violent tendency to cry. She perceived my consternation, and was herself moved. But there was a quick, strange NEMESIS INTERVENES 25 light in her eyes, as if she were contemplating something far away. ' I have prayed many a night that my father would send for me,' she said, thought- fully ; ' and now he has done so, I scarcely feel glad. I am afraid there is sonetlnng wrong at home. Shall you be sorry, Hugh, when I go?' At this open question I broke down utterly, and burst into a violent sob. She put her hands in mine, and looked earnestly into my face. ' I thought you would be sorry. None of them will miss me so much as you. We have been great friends ; I never thought I could be such friends with a boy. I shall tell my father of you, and he will like you, too. "Will you kiss me, Hugh, and say good-bye ? ' I could not answer for tears ; but I put my arms roiuid her neck, and I did kiss her — a 26 THE MASTER OF THE MINE pure, true, loving boy's kiss, worth a million of the kisses men buy or steal in the broad world. My tears moistened her cheek as I did so, but she did not cry herself. She was altogether calm and superior, bowing down to my boyhood, compassionating and cherishing me ; but in all possibility sharing little of my intense personal passion. She was nearer womanhood than I to manhood (girls always are more mature than boys) ; and she took my worship in gentle state. A queen, kissed by a loyal subject, could not offer her cheek more royally than little Madeline offered her cheek to me. Yet her manner was full of strong affection, too. She would miss me, I felt sure. In the midst of my agony, I found words to inquire how soon our dreaded parting was to take place. What was my astonishment to NEMESIS INTERVENES 27 hear that she was going to leave Minister's at ouce. ^ ' There is a ship to sail in two days, and I must go away to Liverpool to-morrow, early in the morning. My poor father! There is something very wrong indeed, and it will be many a week before we meet, though the ship should sail ever so fast.' As I write, recollection darkens, the sun sinks behind the little garden ; the little shape fades away, and it is dark night. I seem to remember no more. But what is this that gleams up before me ? It is the faint grey light of dawn. I have been in a very disturbed sleep, and am awakened by a harsh sound in the distance. It is the sound of carriage-wheels. I start up ; it is daylight. I hear a hum of voices in tlie house below. 28 THE MASTER OF THE MINE Witlioiit awakening any of my companions in the room, I creep to the window, and look out. • How cliilly looks the cold damp world outside ! How pitiless and cold lie the dews on the leaves all around ! I shiver, and my heart aches. A travelling-carriage stands at tlie door, and a sleepy-eyed coachman yawns on the box. Hush ! yonder from the house-porch comes Mi's. Munster, and by her side the little figure that I love. The proud spirit is broken this morning, and the little eyes look soft and wet. Madehne clings to her protectress, and nods adieu to the servants, who flock around to bid her fare- v/ell. She does not look this way. Does she think at all of the poor friendless boy whose heart she has filled with her beauty, and whose NEMESIS INTERVENES 29 eyes are watching her so wildly from the cur- tained bedroom window up above ? The coachman cracks his whip, the horses break into a trot, the little one leans out, and waves her handkerchief until the carriage rounds the corner, and is hid from view. Madehne ! Little Madeline ! I have fallen upon my knees by my bed- side, and am passionately kissing the lock of hair I begged from her last night. My heart seems l3reaking. All the world has grown dark for me in a moment. To what new trouble is this that I am about to waken, now that the one star of my life's dawn has faded away ? 30 THE MASTER OF THE MINE CHAPTER III. AFTER TEN YEARS, I BEGIN LIFE IN EARNEST. The prologue over, tlie drama of my life begins. There is always a prologue of some sort, in which the keynote of life is generally struck for good or evil, pleasure or pain. Mine is the episode of Little Madeline. Much of the spirit of what has been told will sur- vive in the events which I am now about to narrate. Madeline Graham faded at once and for ever out of my boyish existence. I neither saw nor heard from her directly; but some months after her arrival in her distant home. I BEGIN" LIFE IN EARNEST 31 there arrived a wonderful parcel, full of dried fruits, nuts, and other foreign edibles, addressed, in the hand I knew, to ' Master Hugh Trelaw- ney,' at Munster's. My schoolmates laughed wildly on its arrival. I tore it open, expecting to find some message in writing, showing me that I was not forgotten. There was not a line. With a somewhat heavy heart, I distributed the more perishable fruits among my school- mates, reserving a very little for myself — for I had no heart to eat. I stored up many of the nuts in my trunk, till they were quite mouldy and rotten. When I was obliged to throw them away, I seemed to cast away at the same moment all my hope of seeing my dear little love again. No other message — no other gift — ever came ; though I wrote, in my round, boyish hand, a little letter of thanks and kind wishes. Ail crew silent. Little Madeline mipjlit be 32 THE MASTER OF THE MINE lying in her grave, far over the lonely waters, for aught I knew to the contrary. I remained at Minister's until I was four- teen. In all these years I never forgot Made- line, never ceased to mention her name every night when I prayed by my bedside, never relinquished the thought of some day sailing across the ocean, and looking on the dear bright face again. This intense and solitary passion became, if I may so express it, the secret strength of my life. It brightened the coarse and indigent ex- perience of school-life, filled it with tender and mysterious meanings and associations ; it made me inquiring and tender, instead of hard and mean ; it determined my tastes in favour of beauty, and made me reverence true woman- hood wherever I saw it. In a word, it gave my too commonplace experience just the colour- ing of romance it needed, and made the dry I BEGIX LIFE IX EARNEST 33 reality of life blossom with simple poetry,, in a dim religious light from far away. What wonder, then, if, at fourteen, I found myself reading imaginative books and w^'iting verses — of which early compositions, be certain, Madeline ^vas the chief and never-wearying theme. I had taken tolerable advantage of Munster's tuition, and was sufficiently well grounded in the details of an ordinary English education. I had, moreover, a smattering of Latin, which, in my after struggle for subsistence, turned out very useful. 1 should have progressed still further under the care of my schoolmaster, but at this period my father died, and I found myself cast upon the world. It is not my purpose — it is unnecessary — to enlarge on my own private history, and I shall touch upon it merely in so far as it affects the strange incidents in which I afterwards became VOL. I. D 34 THE MASTER OF THE MINE an actor. Things were at this point when I one mornin2^ received the starthn^^ intelh-ain I had beu'iired my uncle to take me down, but he refused. At last, how- ever, one Sunday morning, he came to me and to my intense delight said : FIRST GLIMPSE OP THE MIXE 91 ' You can gaw dawn the mine t-day, Hugh. I be gawn' dawn. I'll tak' 'ee wi' me.' Excitement is welcome to all boys, and it was especially welcome to me ; but there was one cloud on my sunshine, when I looked up and saw that my cousin Annie was as white as a sheet and trembling violently. ' Don't father, don't ! ' she said, piteously. My uncle laughed. ' Lor a mussey, Annie, what a frawhtened httle woman you'm gettin' ! ' he said. ' Wha, you arn't like a miner's lass, Annie. We must mak' the lad a man, nawt a milksop. Naw then Hugh, hurry up and get ready, we'm nawt got much time to lose ! ' The first thing to be done was to attire myself in one of my uncle's mining suits oi flannel, and possess myself of one of his broad felt hats. This was soon done. I was now a man in all l)ut years, and I managed to cut a 92 THE MASTER OF THE MINE tolerable ligure in my uncle's clothes : indeed, when I made my reappearance in tlie kitchen, he declared, witli a nod of approval, that I looked every inch a miner. It was a proud moment for me : now, for the first tune, I felt my manhood upon me, and I laughed with my uncle at Annie's pale cheeks and my aunt's sad eyes. My uncle handed me half a dozen candles, which he told me to put into my pocket ; tlien, with a merry nod to the women-folk, we started. It was no easy matter to get to the entrance of the mine, not beinci; able to go straif^ht to the shafts as in the case of mines on level ground. First of all we had to make our way to the counting-house, in wliich I sat at my daily toil. The way was long and difficult to travel, on account of the accumulation of mining gear we had to pass ; long chains stretched out over FIRST GLBirSE OF THE MIXE 93 bell cranks, wooden platforms looking like battered remnants of wrecks, yet supporting large beams of timber and heavy coils of rope. Here there was a little creaking shed, there a broken-down post or two, and there again we had to wind round by the rocky path amidst chains and cables and ascending loads. I, having to travel this road every day of my life, was well accustomed to it, and I accordingly followed on my uncle's footsteps without much feeling of curiosity or joy ; but when we had passed the counting-house, ascended the cliff, and gained the trap-door entrance to the mine, my heart began to beat with anticipation. Here w^e both paused. ' You'll keep a strawng head,' said my uncle, lookino; at me. ' 'Twill be a bad business if you begin to tramble like our Annie. Are you sure you arn't afraid, lad? ' 94 THE MASTER OF THE MINE ' Not a bit,' I returned ; then, looking at the ladder -wliicli was set at the entrance of the mine, I asked, ' Shall I go first ? ' ' Bide a bit, bide a bit, lad ! ' he returned. ' Gi 's one o' tham candles.' I did 80, whereupon he lit it and stuck it into my hat, then he lit another for himself; after this he began to descend the first ladder, and I followed him. The first object I was conscious of was the huge beam of a steam-engine, which worked on my right, alternately bowing and risinir, and heavily straining at the deluge of water which it lifted. On the other side, through boards the chinks of which admitted just light enough at the foot of one of the ladders to show the passage, I saw the loaded tubble, or bucket, rushing past its descending companion. We were now between two shafts, descend- ing from stage to- stage ; the daylight was com- FIKST GLIMPSE OF THE MINE 95 pletely gone, and we depended solely on om" candles, which threw but a faint light into the gloomy abj^ss below. After descending two or three ladders, which were almost perpendicular, we came to a plat- form, and made a halt. " Waal, lad ? ' said my uncle, holding his flickering candle above his head, and looking into my face. , I lauo;lied, and hastened to assure him it was all right, though, in reality, I began to feel some of my cousin's misgiving. We rested a second or two, the halt indeed being made more for me than for my guide ; then my uncle took another lighted candle, and stuck it into my hat. ' Xaw, lad,' said he, ' come on wi' a will ; lay howld o' the sides o' the ladder, and ha' a care. I promised to obey him, and we recommenced 9G THE MASTIJR OF THE MINE our descent, he going first and I following. Wc went down first one ladder and then another, till again Ave came to a i)latform and rested. ' What's below ? ' I asked of my imcle, who was again regarding me curiously, trying to detect if possible any sign of fear or shrinking in my face. 'What's belaw, lad?' he said. 'Wha, the water drained from all the mine, the pumps at wark pumping it awt, and p'raps a cartload o' rattinc^ human bawns.' We descended a couple more ladders and landed again, this time to traverse one of those side galleries in wdiich the pit abounded. It was about seven feet hifrh, but so narrow that two persons, if thin, could just squeeze past one another. The only light now was that afibrded by our candles, Avhich flickered in the hot, sickly, damp vapour which floated about us. The fetid air of the place was beginning to FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE MINE 97 tell upon me, my breath became laboured, the perspiration streamed down my face, while mud aud tallow and iron drippings were visible on my clothes. My uncle, who was similarly bespattered to myself, but who was breathing more freely, recommended a rest. I sat down on the floor while he set himself to replenish the candles, which had nearly flickered out. Sitting thus in the stillness, I became con- scious of a strang-e moanino; and souohino- sound. After listening intently, I asked my uncle what it was. ' It's the sae,' he returned ; 'it be rolling up thar above our heads.' VOL. I. H 98 THE MASTER OF THE MINE CHAPTER VII. A VISIT OF mSPECTIOX. Thus began my knowledge of the mine ; from that day forth my interest in it deepened, and it haunted me like a passion. Its darkness and perils had a fascination for me, and I was not content till I had explored every cranny and familiarised myself with the mining art or science. Eager for information, I read every book on the subject that I could buy or borrow^ and in a short time I could have passed a pretty stiff examination as an engineer. I nuist now pass over, at one swift bound, A VISIT OF INSrECTIOX 99 a lapse of eight years. During that time, I had exchanged the duties of clerk for that of assistant overseer, and then, on the death of Mr. Eedruth, for those of overseer-in- chief. Behold me, then, at twenty-two years of age, the mainstay of the Pendragon household ; chano'ed somewhat, for — Nature cloth subdue itself To what it works on, like the dyer's hand ; roudi, robust, full of strength, and its rude pride. In my twenty-second year occurred an event which was destined to exercise no little influence over my whole future life. As I approach the chronicling of this event, my heart beats and my hand trembles, and the fitful passion of those far-off days awakens troublously again. I was standing one day on the cliffs, close to the mouth of the mine, when I saw two figures coming from the direction of the village. n 2 100 THE MASTER OF Tin; MIXE One was my cousin Annie, now a comely- young woman ; tlie other was young George Ecdruth, whom I liad scarcely set eyes upon since the time of his father's tleatli. They Avere talking earnestly, and did not seem at first to notice me ; but presently I saw Annie give a startled look in my direction, and afterwards they approaclied together. Now, I don't know how it happened — it was instinct, I suppose, or something of that sort — but never, from the moment of our first meeting as boys, had I been able to reo;ard George Eedruth with any feeling but one of excessive irritation and dishke. His flippant, patronising manner had something to do with it ; so, perhaps, had his good looks, for his worst enemy could not have denied that he was superbly handsome. As I glanced at Ijis pale, beautifully formed face, at his shght graceful figure, at his elegant dress, I was painfully conscious of my own A VISIT OF IXSPECTION 101 physical inferiority. Tlioiigli I was strongly built and not ill-favoured, wind and weather had worked their will on me, and I was rough, I knew, as my daily occupation. He strolled up carelessly, swinging his cane, and smoking a cigar. ' Ah, TrelaAvney,' he said, with a nod, ' your cousin Annie has been telling me that there are complaints, again, about the outlying shafts of the mine. So I'm going down to have a look round.' ' Very well, sir,' I replied, wondering in my mind why Annie had chosen to make herself the mouthpiece of the men. ' I suppose it's safe enough ? ' he said, after a moment. 'You know, though I am a mine-owner, I don't know much about the business ; I used to leave all that to the governor.' ' It is only right,' was my reply, ' that you 102 THE MASTER OF THE MINE should judge its safety for yourself. If any- thing Iiappened, you would be res])Onsible.' ' I don't know about tliat,' he said sharply : ' I pay you for superintending the work, and if there's danger ' ' There is ! ' I interposed. ' Well, then, I pay yoiL for facing it and reporting upon it. One can't be both employer and servant too ! ' I was about to retort somewhat angrily, for the manner of his speech was even more insufferable than its matter, when I met Annie's entreating eyes, and refrained. ' Mr. George,' she said quickly, ' is anxious that nothing should go wrong.' ' Of course I am,' cried the young man, with a curious lavish. 'I know what iloodino; the mine means — any amount of expense, perhaps ruin ; for if the sea once got fairly in — whew ! it would be a bad job for me.' A VISIT OF INSPECTIOX 103 ' And for the men,' I said, frowning. ' And for the men, of course ; but it's their living, and no doubt they know how to look after themselves. Be c^ood enouQ-h to make all ready, Trelawney, for I'm going down at once. I suppose there is a dress hand}' ? ' I answered in the affirmative, and walked off tow^ards the office. Looking back over my shoulder, I saw him glance after me, and then, with a contemptuous laugh, say something to Annie. My blood boiled angrily, and my cheeks ^orew crimson. I could have turned back and struck him in the face. Close to the office, I found my uncle, who had just come up from underground, and who was covered with the rust of tlie copperas earth. I told him the young master was going down, and he was delighted. 'He's a brave lad, Master Jarge,' he cried, ' a fine brave lad ! I'll gaw wi' 'un, 104 THE iA[ ASTER OF THE MINE and shaw 'iin where tlie wall be brcakinir down.' Presently, Eedrutli came along, and followed me into tlie office, where several woollen cos- tumes were hanging. He laughed gaily, as he transformed himself into a miner. When the transformation w^as complete, he still looked the gentleman ; and, in spite of myself, I felt the irritating sense of my own inferiority. My uncle led the way down the trap, show- ing infinite care and tenderness for the young master, who followed him, while I came last. The earth soon swallowed us, and the only light we had was the light of the candles stuck upon our persons and in our hats. From ladder to ladder w^e went, till w^e reached the central platform, where we paused to take breath. Then down we crept again, till we reached the lowest galleries, and became conscious of the gnome-like A VISIT OF INSrECTIOX 105 fio-iires at work in the submariue darkness. My uncle still led the way, stopping from time to time to pilot Eedruth over awkward stones and dangerous trap-holes. Our progress was now very slow. Walking, stooping, crawling, climbing, descending, we proceeded ; now crossing black abysses, thinly covered with quaking planks ; past wild figures kneehng or lying, and labouring with short pickaxes at the ore ; and as we went, the roar which had been in our ears from the beginning deepened, while the solid rocks above us seemed quaking in the act to fall. At last my uncle paused and wiped his brow. We were all three now completely dis- figured, — with earth, mud, tallow, rust, and iron drippings. ' Where the deuce are we now ? ' asked the }Oung master. ' Whar, Master Jarge ? ' repeated my uncle, 106 THE PIASTER OF THE MINE Avitli a friendly grin. ' Eight dawn under tlie sac' Eedrutli glanced at me. ' How far down, Trelawney ? ' ' Twenty fathoms under the sea level, sir, and three hundred feet, or more, out beyond low-water mark.' ' Well, where's the damage ? It all seems snug enouo;h.' He was certainly very cool, though lie had not been undero-round more than once or twdce in his life ; and I wondered to niyself wiietlier his insouciance came from bravado or sheer stupidity. ' Come this way. Master Jarge,' said my uncle, crawling forward, until we reached a narrow^ space with just room for two of us to stand abreast. Suddenly, we found ourselves ankle deep in water, and at the same time thick A VISIT OF INSPECTION 107 drops ]ike heavy rain fell from the rocks above us. My uncle reached up with his hands, and touched tlie roof, which was partially fortified with wood and cement. ' I plugg'd this yar last night. Master Jarge,' he explained : ' the salt water were streaming in like a fall.' As he spoke, the roar deepened to a crash, and we could distinctly hear the sea grinding on the pebbles, right above our heads. It seemed momently as if the whole fabric of the rock would break in, under the flux and reflux of the rolling waves. I saw Eedruth start back, and glance to- wards the gallery dov/n which we had come. But he recovered his sang-froid in a moment. ' The deuce ! ' he muttered. ' How thick is the ceiling here, Trelawney ? ' ' Six feet at the thickest, sir ; at the thinnest. 108 TIIH .MASTER OF THE :^rI^E where you see the wooden phig, not more thrai three.' Young Kcdruth looked up again, and tak- ing a candle from his person, examined the rock. It was actually })ercolated with sea- water oozing through the solid granitic mass, and covered with green and glistening ooze ; but through all the dampness and sliminess the stripes of pure copper ran in rich bars, forming part of the fmest and most precious lode in the whole mine. ' Why, it's almost solid ore,' he said. 'Iss, Master Jarge,' returned my uncle, ' but us can't go no further thisways without flooding the shaft. It would be warth thou- sands o' pounds to gaw on, and 'twill cost a heap to keep tight and safe as it be.' ' Is that so, Trelawney ? ' 'Yes, sir. We must build up this part of the gallery and have it closed. I can't keep A VISIT OF IXSPECTIOX 109 the men from using their picks wliere the ore runs thickest, even when every inch of stuff they loosen is bringing them nearer to their death.' The young master made no further remark just then, but continued liis examination of the other parts of the mine. In several other places the roof was dangerous. My uncle pointed out the various unsafe portions, and led the way from gallery to gallery, until tlie tour of inspection was complete. At last we re-ascended to the sunshine. How bright and dazzling all seemed after til at subaqueous darkness ! Eedruth seemed in a brown study. Not until he had washed himself and reassumed his ordinary attire, did he find his tongue. By this time, my uncle had returned to his labours down below, and we two were left alone. ' Is there anything else you wish to report P^' 110 THE MASTER OF THE MINE asked Redruth, sharply, as we stood together at the office door. ' Notlung more than I have ah^eady reported in writing.' ' Well, what was that ? ' ' The whole mine wants repair. Putting- aside the ontl)4ng galleries, where the sea may enter at any minute, the engines and machinery need replacing, the ladders are rotten ; in fact, everything is in the last stage of decay ; and no wonder, seeing that scarcely a penny has been spent on it within my memory.' He frowned, and bit his lips ; then he looked me contemptuously from head to foot. 'You are a pretty fellow, a very pretty fellow. You want to ruin me, eh ? ' ' No, sir ; but I want to ensure the safety of the men.' ' Pshaw ! You are a croaker, and know A VISIT OP INSPECTION 111 little or nothing of the matter,' he said, turning on his heel. ' At any rate, sir,' I returned, following him, ' you will have the outer galleries filled up, at once? If you don't, I'll not answer for the consequences.' ' Who the devil asked you ? ' he cried. ' Your place is to report, not to advise. As to ceasing to work the outer galleries, I suppose you know that the richest lode of ore runs there, and that the inner portion of the mine is almost barren ? ' ' I know that ; but ' ' But you prefer mutiny and disaffection to study of your employer's interests ? I tell you flatly, I don't intend to listen to such nonsense. Thanks to you, the mine at present yields little or no profit, and I am in a fair way to become a beggar.' 112 THE MASTER OF THE MINE He saw me smile incredulously, as I cried : ' Tlion YOU will do notliiuo"? ' ' I will do nothing under your advice, for I don't trust you. A gentleman in whom I have tlie utmost confidence will be here to-morrow morning. You will accompany him down the mine, and you will show him Avhat you have shown me. I sliall tlien be guided by his advice, not by yours.' Witli these words he w\alked away. Soon after sunrise the next morning, as I sat in tlie office at the mine-head, I was visited l)y the })erson to whom young Eedruth had alluded. He was a thin, spare, sandy-haired young man of about thirty, with a mean type of countenance, and an accent which was a curious compound of Cockneyisms and Ameri- canisms. He had, indeed, been born within the sound of Boav Bells ; but liaving spent a portion of his manhood in the United States, A VISIT OP INSPECTIOX 113 he affected the free and easy manners of a Yankee citizen. He gave me his card, on which was printed the words — EPHRAIM S. JOHNSON, Civil Engineer, Bethesda, Slate of New Yorh. I glanced at the name, and then took a good look at the owner. He wore a showy tweed suit, a glaring red necktie witli a horse- shoe pin, and a light billycock hat. Altogether, his appearance was not prepossessing. He informed me, in a high shrill voice, that he had been instructed by Mr. George Eedruth to go down the mine, and report on its prospects and condition. ' You'll find its condition bad enough,' I said quickly. ' Maybe I shall, and maybe I shan't,' he VOL. I. I 114 THE MASTER OF THE MINE answered. ' I don't want you to prejudice my mind, young man ; not that j^ou could do it if you tried. Guess I haven't been three years on the Shoshone territory for nothing.' He pronounced it ' nothinlc,' but that is neither here nor there. I saw at once from his manner that he had come with a preconceived opinion, and tliat nothing he miglit see would be liivcly to make him side Avith the men against their master. However, I treated him as civilly as possible, and, when he had assumed the necessary dress, we made the tour of inspec- tion together. When we came to the outlying gallery, above which the sea was thundering, he trembled a 2;ood deal and o;ave other sims of agitation, and he did not recover himself until he had regained the open air, which he did after a very perfunctory visit indeed. Once or twice on the way, as we ascended the ladders oonnnunicating with the abyss, he grew giddy, A VISIT OF IXSPECTIOX 115 and I had to watch, him carefully, fearing he might fall. All this, it may be guessed, did not increase my respect for Mr. Ephraim S. Johnson. He did not altogether recover his equanimity until he had sloughed his miner's dress and put on Ills own radiant apparel. Then, curious to know what he would say to his employer, I questioned him ; ' Well, Mr. Johnson ? Did I exaggerate when I said that the mine was unsafe ? ' He answered me sharply and impudently, but averting his small keen eyes from mine : ' Excuse me, young man, I shall report my opinion to Mr. George Redruth, not to you.. I don't mind saying, however, that I guess you did exaggerate, on the whole.' Angry at his manner, I could not forbear retorting I 2 116 THE MASTER OF THE MINE ' You didn't seem to express that opinion wlicn you were down below ! ' * What do 3'oa mean ? ' he cried, turning crimson. ' I mean that you seemed rather in a hurry to get back to the terra Jirma, up here ! ' He did not reply, but gave me a look full of malignity and dislike. Then he walked out of the office, but the next minute he put his head in again in the door. ' You think yourself smart,' he said ; ' but you'll have to get up early before you're as smart as me. I mean to do my duty, young man, and so you'll find afore very long.' He left me with this curious valediction. I saw neither Kedruth nor Johnson for some days. Then I heard casually that the latter had gone back to London. About a week after his departure, I saw it publicly announced that arrangements had been made with George A VISIT OF INSrECTIOX. 117 Eedrutb, Esq., the proprietor, to turn the St. Gurlott's copper-mine into a joint-stock company, the said George Eedruth, Esq., re- ceiving half the purchase -money and retaining the other half in fully paid-up shares. Nothing was said about the precise amount of commission money which went into the pocket of Mr. E. S. Johnson, but the name of that worthy was down on the prospectus as surveyor and in- specting engineer, and I had no doubt whatever in my own mind tliat he had made a very excellent bargain. 118 THE MASTER OF THE MINE CHAPTEE VIII. I PLAY THE SPY. A LITTLE after the establishment of the London company, Johnson came down to St. Gurlott's and took lodgings in a farmhouse in the neigh- bourhood. After what had occurred, I ex- pected to receive my conge at once, but although the stranger was formally installed as resident inspector and supervisor, no attempt was made as yet to remove me from my former position. The fact was, I believe, that Johnson had too little confidence in his own practical knowledge, to say nothing of his own courage, to undertake willingly the perilous duties of overseer. I PLAY THE SPY 119 So greatly did I resent his presence, how- ever, that I at first resolved to resign ; but yielding to the entreaties of my uncle and the prayers of Annie, I remained. I soon saw that Johnson was completely in young Eed- ruth's confidence — was, in fact, his servant, spy, and general familiar. Under his advice, nothin"- wdiatever was done to amend the condition of afiairs in the mine, the fittings and machinery of which remained as dilapidated as ever. On my own responsibilit}-, however, I closed up the dangerous outer galleries, and forbade the men, on pain of dismissal, from workino- the ore in that direction. Althouoli Johnson heard of this, and doubtless reported it to liis superior, neither of them made any communication to me on the subject — just then. I must now turn from the affairs of the mine to my own quiet life at home in my 120 TIIK :\fASTRR OF THE [MINE uncle's lioiise — wliicli ^vill lead me, rapidly enou<4li. ]);ick to yoiino; Georn;e liedrutli. I had noticed for several weeks that sonic important secret communion was going on between my uncle and aunt. What it was all about I couldn't guess, but it was evidently connected in some way with myself. I often caught them looking at me, and, when de- tected, exchanging glances of infinite meaning. I was begirming to think of asking for an explanation, when accident made me ac- quainted with the whole mystery. I had returned home one evening too late for the ordinaiy tea, and was sitting taking mine alone, waited on by Annie, as I had to return to the office ai>'ain that ni";ht, and mijTht probably have to go down the mine. I still w^ore my miner's dress, but my uncle had changed his, and was sitting contentedly smoking on one side of the fire, while just I PLAY THE SPY 121 opposite to him was my aunt, busily darning stockiniTS. The meal over, I got up, lit my pipe, and wished them all good night. ' Don't sit up for me ! ' I said, ' I shall be late to-night.' ' Where are you 2'oiuo- to, Huoh ? ' asked Annie, carelessly. ' Back to the office. I've got to go down the mine a^'ain, too.' ' Shall you go to the office first ? ' she asked, ' or down the mine? ' I laughed at what I then thought her unmeaning curiosity. ' Which do you think I ought to do first, Miss Curiosity ? ' I said. ' Go down the mine,' she answered, promptly ; ' then you could change those things, and do your accounts comfortable-, hke.' 122 THE MASTER OF THE JUNE ' Upon my \vord, Annie,' I said, ' there's a world of wisdom in tliat pretty little head of yours.' I put my arm round her shoulders — gave her a kiss — at which my aunt and imcle laughed dehghtedly. ' Good night all ! ' I said again. ' Annie, I shall take your advice, and go straight down the mine ! ' And I was off. I had gone only a little way, when I sud- denly remembered that certain account-books which I should need that night were in my room at the cottage. I hesitated a moment — then I turned back to get them. It was grow- ing rather dark ; but that was of little conse- quence to me, since I could have walked every step of the way blindfolded, and for the descent into the mine, daylight was of little use. So I strolled slowly back, enjoying my pipe and the freshness of the evening air, and I FLAT THE SPY 123 when I readied the cottage it was quite dark. I paused before the kitchen window, which was open, for the night was suUry, and looked in. My aunt and uncle still sat in much the same position they had occupied when I left them, but Annie was gone. I was about to put my head in at the window, and acquaint them with my return, when I heard the men- tion of my own name. ' Yes,' said my aunt, nodding her head, ' I ha' watched 'em, and I know Annie favours Hugh, if ever any lass favoured a lad.' ' Well, I do hope you'm right, Martha, old gal,' my uncle returned. ' He be a good lad, and I shall be glad to call him my son.' I heard no more — I felt like a man who had received a knock-down blow, and I stas- gered under it a bit. Annie love me ? — the old people planning our marriage ? It was all 124 TIIH MASTER OF THE MIKE SO new it t