He started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was halfway he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle and confusion instantly arose.
The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below.

A man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and stood gazing with a white scared face.

Dick had worked with him; he was one of the company to which Red George belonged.
"What is it, Saunders ?" "My God! they are lost!" the man replied.

"I was at the windlass when they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum.

They had just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it." Dick understood at once.