Beth Norvell

Startled by so unjust a suspicion, the eyes of the young giant

instantly revealed a degree of interest which caused her own to light

up suddenly, her red lips parting in a quick, appreciative smile which

disclosed the white teeth.

"Ah, I see it vas not dat. Eet make glad de heart--make eet to sing

like de birds. Now I know eet vill be as I vish. How do I get down,

señor?"

Thus easily driven from his last weak entrenchments, his heart

fluttering to the seduction of her suggestive glance, the embarrassed

Stutter made unconditional surrender, a gruff oath growling in his

throat. He leaned out over the dark shaft, his supporting hand on the

drum.

"Come u-u-up, M-M-Mike," he called, rattling his letters like

castanets. "I w-w-want to g-go d-d-down."

There followed a sound of falling rocks below, a fierce shaking of the

suspended rope, and then a muffled voice sang out an order, "H'ist

away, and be dommed ter yer." Brown devoted himself assiduously to the

creaking windlass, although never able entirely to remove his attention

from that bright-robed, slender figure standing so closely at his side.

For one brief second he vaguely wondered if she could be a witch, and

he looked furtively aside, only to perceive her bright eyes smiling

happily at him. Then suddenly a totally bald head shot up through the

opening, a seamed face the color of parchment, with squinting gray

eyes, peered suspiciously about, while a gnarled hand reached forth,

grasped a post in support, and dragged out into the sunlight a short,

sturdy body. Mike straightened up, with a peculiar jerk, on the dump,

spat viciously over the edge of the canyon, and drew a short, black

pipe from out a convenient pocket in his shirt. He made no audible

comment, but stood, his back planted to the two watchers; and Stutter

cleared his throat noisily.

"Th-th-this l-l-lady wants ter s-s-see how we m-m-mine," he explained

in painful embarrassment, "a-an' I th-th-thought I 'd t-take her

d-d-down if you 'd w-work the w-w-windlass a b-bit."

Old Mike turned slowly around and fronted the two, his screwed-up eyes

on the girl, while with great deliberation he drew a match along the

leg of his canvas trousers.

"Onything to oblige ye," he said gruffly. "Always ready to hilp the

ladies--be me sowl, Oi've married three of thim already. An' wus this

Hicks's orthers, Stutter?"

"N-n-no, not exactly," Brown admitted, with evident reluctance. "B-but

ye s-s-see, she's a g-great friend o' B-B-Bill's, an' so I reckon it

'll be all r-right. Don't s-see how n-no harm kin be d-d-done."