Harry stood nervously gripping the pickets of the gate and gazed after
her, and continued gazing for many minutes when she had gone. Then he
swung off into the bush, walking rapidly, and was glad in a stern
rebellious way--glad in spite of his mission, in spite of his brother, in
spite of and defiance of every thing.
CHAPTER XIII.
MEANWHILE matters of interest were progressing below at the Mount of Gold
mine. The juvenile shareholders of the Company had done a fair amount of
work in the soft reef of the new drive at odd times during the last
fortnight; and the drive, which diminished in circumference as it
progressed, and threatened presently to terminate in a sharp point, had
been driven in quite fifteen feet. But to-night the young prospectors
were not interested in mining operations. On top Dick Haddon's big
billy-goat was feeding greedily on the lush herbage of the Gaol Quarry;
below, Dick and his boon companions were preparing for a tremendous
adventure.
After escaping from his room Dick had hunted up Jacker Mack, Phil Doon,
and Billy Peterson. He came upon the two former at a propitious time,
when both were slowly recovering from the physical effects of an 'awful
doing' administered by their respective fathers at the instigation of the
School Committee; when they were still filled with bitterness towards all
mankind, and satisfied that life was hollow and vain, and there was no
happiness or peace for a well meaning small boy on this side of the
grave.
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