Ham was returning up the trail now, and soon the candles were lighted.  Tad took the lead, followed by Willis, Ham and Old Ben bringing up the rear.  A little inside the entrance, and to one side, a small room had been cut in the solid granite for a store-room.  Here were the tools of the mine—­two wheelbarrows, several shovels and picks, a large lantern, and several boxes of powder.  What had once been a heavy coil of hemp rope was now a very comfortable rat’s nest.  Several old stone drills had been driven into the crevices for hooks, and on them hung old burlap sacks, a coil of heavy wire, two old slouch hats, and a man’s coat.

Tad had bared his head as he entered.  He slowly led the way down the narrow lane without a word.  A little farther in they came to a very rusty ax, leaning against the wall, and Willis guessed that it had never been moved from where Tad had last used it.  The large, blackened chips were scattered over the floor, and the great plank lay where he had last worked on it.  Tad was very cautious now, trying the props overhead every few feet, to see if they were safe.  Willis was walking as if in a dream; he was stepping very softly and his head was bowed.  This was the very path his father had trod.  He fancied he heard his cheery voice now, as he came and went with load after load of rock.  He fancied how he must have felt as he worked day by day, ever surer of the fortune that was to be his.  He found himself wondering how his life’s course might have been changed if that golden dream had come true.  The tunnel turned abruptly to the west, and Tad moved more cautiously still.  Presently Tad halted and pointed to a heap of rock on the floor, “It was there, lad,” he said very quietly, and that was all.  Willis stooped and placed his hand on the place for a second.  Tad noticed that his face was white and drawn and his eyes were very big.  He let him stay for an instant, then took him gently by the arm and led him out.

Old Ben made a hasty examination of the rocks on the floor, then of the exposed vein.  He handed the candle to Ham, and, drawing from his pocket a heavy cold chisel, he carefully knocked off some choice pieces of the ore and placed them in his pocket, muttering to himself all the while.  When he had satisfied himself, he turned, took the candle, and started out, motioning Ham to precede him.

“Best gold quartz I’ve seed in many a year,” he said softly, “only Tad will never believe it.”  Ham understood.  Ahead of them, down the narrow black passage, they saw Tad’s light disappear.

“They have stepped into the tool-room, boy,” said Ben, “an’ every tarnal one o’ them implements is nearly sacred to Tad.  Let’s not disturb ’em.”  He blew out his light and leaned against the wall of the tunnel, pulling Ham back with him.

In a few minutes they were surprised to hear loud exclamations and the moving of the old iron wheelbarrows.  Ahead they could see the light of the opening, so Old Ben started again toward the entrance.