In reaching for a new piece his foot slipped. Glancing down,
to see just where the object was on which he had slipped, Tom
suddenly became so interested that he dropped down on his knees
in the snow.
It was a piece of rock that had come up in the first tubful.
At one point on the piece of rock there was a small, dull yellow
glow.
Reads pawed the rock over in eager haste. Then he drew the hammer
from his belt, striking the rock sharply. Piece after piece fell
away until a solid yellow mass, streaked here and there faintly
with quartz, lay in his hand.
"By the great Custer!" quivered Tom.
"What's the matter, boss?" called one of the workmen. "Got a sliver
in your hand?"
"Have I?" retorted Tom joyously. "Come here and take a look."
"Haul away!" sounded Ferrers's hoarse voice from below.
"Tell Jim to stop sending and come up a minute," nodded Tom.
"Do you often see a finer lump than this?" Tom wanted to know
as the two workmen came to him. He held up a nugget.
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