The Wilderness Mine (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...The explanation, however, was not plausible and Geoffrey did not mean to bargain. Then a dislodged stone rolled down the bank and looking up he saw Ross and some others in the spray. When he noted that one carried an iron box he saw a plan. The plan was rather theatrical, but it ought to work. "Come along with the magazine," he shouted and turned to Pelton. "If you claim we're infringing the Forks Company's rights, you can see your lawyers. Anyhow, we mean to fire the shot." "I reckon we'll put you off the property," Pelton replied and climbed the bank. "Your best driller, Ross," said Geoffrey, and Allen came forward with a hammer and a steel bar. "What about the dynamite and the fuses?" "I fixed the detonators in a few sticks at the shack. It's damp-proof fuse." Geoffrey nodded, and indicating a spot in the ledge some feet from the ice, said to Allen: "Get to work. Five dollars if you sink a hole that will take a stick before the Forks gang arrive " Allen threw the bar to another man and glanced at the rock. "You want the hole right there?" "Yes," said Geoffrey, who knew the spot was not the best for cutting the ledge. "Don't talk. Get busy " Allen swung his hammer and sparks flew from the end of the drill. His helper turned the tool and there was a sharp crunch when the hammer fell again. Geoffrey hoped the frost had gone out of the stone, for the thaw had not long begun. He looked about and to some extent was satisfied. The short, steeplysloped ledge ran for a few yards from the main wall of rock and then sank into the ice. It would be hard for Peltons' men to get at his party...