There had been so much to see about the place, so much talk to have with old Sam and Kicksey, that it hardly needed the thought of seeing the mine next day to keep me awake.
I thought I should never go to sleep, I say; but I awoke at half-past seven the next morning, feeling as if I had had a thoroughly good night's rest, and as soon as breakfast was over I started with my father on a dull soft winter's morning to see the mine.
Bob and Bigley were to come over; but I felt that it would be twelve o'clock before Bob came, and that I should meet Bigley; so no harm would be done in the way of breaking faith in the appointment.
We walked sharply across the hill and descended into the Gap, but before we had gone far we met old Jonas Uggleston.
"Morning!" he said pleasantly.

"Morning, squire!" to me.

"Seen my Bigley yet ?" "No." "Ah! He has gone your way.

Tell him I want to see him if he comes." We said we would, and old Jonas went his way and we ours.
"Why, father," I said, "how civil he has grown!" "Yes," said my father gravely, "he has; but I would almost rather he had kept his distance.

Don't tell your school-fellow I said that." "Of course not, father," I said confidently; and we went on to the mine--the silver mine, and I stood and stared at a part of the valley that had been inclosed with a stone wall.