THIRLWELL'S DULLNESS Soon after daybreak, Thirlwell, Drummond, and the rock-borer pushed their way through the woods behind the cliff.

The vein dipped and in consequence the farther one went back from the creek, the greater would be the cost of reaching the ore.

Besides, it was possible that the ore pinched out and the uncovered part was an unusually rich pocket.

His companions had agreed that he should have the next best location after Agatha's, and followed his advice about staking their claims.

The half-breeds had, however, declined to exercise their rights; they were trappers and _voyageurs_, and stated that they had no use for mines.
Thirlwell thought there was no more ground worth recording, and doubted, for that matter, if his and the others' claims were worth much, but it was prudent to keep intruders out.