"The first season," said Mr. Britton, "I worked the mine and built the
cabin as a shelter for the coming winter. The winter months I spent in
hunting and trapping when I could go out in the mountains, and
hibernated during the long storms. Early in the spring I began mining
again and worked the following season. By that time I was ready to start
forth into the world, so I gave Peter an interest in the mine, and he
works it from time to time, doing little more than the representation
each year."
As they descended towards the cabin Mr. Britton continued: "I have shown
you this that you may the better understand the story I have to tell you
before I leave you as sole occupant of the Hermitage."