In spots the precious metal showed in darkish streaks, instead
of yellow. But these dark streaks showed admixtures of silver.
"Run and get me a hammer, one of you," cried Tom, breathing fast.
When the miner returned with the chisel-nosed hammer he found
the young engineer eagerly exploring the whole length of the new
wall thus laid bare.
"I knew that a real vein lay here," Tom went on, as he took the
hammer. "The only trouble with us, men, was that we were working
eight or ten feet south of where the true vein lay. Now, by the
great Custer, we've hit it---thanks to the enemy!"
Eagerly Tom chipped off specimens of the rich gold and silver
bearing rock. He loaded down two men and carried more himself.
Every piece of rock was a specimen of rich ore.
Up the shaft they went, emerging into the sunlight.
"I'd like to know who the scamps were that fired the blasts in
the mine," Tom muttered joyously. "I'd like to reward them."
"Party coming, sir," reported a miner, pointing to the southward.
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