Most folk are such at Gethin that are not miners." "Then your father is a miner, is he ?" "No, Sir, not now, though he once was.

Every body knows John Trevethick about here, and why he don't work underground." "How was that, then ?" inquired Richard, with interest.

"You must remember I am a stranger, and know nothing." "Well, Sir, it was years ago, and before I was born.

Father was just married, though he was not a young man for a bridegroom, and was down Turlock pit-hole with Harry Coe (Solomon's father), putting in shot for blasting.

They had worked underground together for five-and-twenty years, and were fast friends, though Coe was an older man, and a widower, with Solomon almost of age.