They found it driven among the gravel; then, climbing a gully, reached the crest of the rock.  Thirlwell led Agatha through the bush by his compass until he traced a rough oblong, marked by other posts.  She followed him with confused emotions and once or twice her eyes filled with tears.  Her father had driven these stakes; she could imagine the thrill it gave him to feel that at length his faith and labor were justified.  His confidence had never wavered, although he had borne mockery and contempt and the gentle ridicule of his anxious wife.  Then, when the prize he toiled for was won and he went back to enjoy it, the river had swept him away.  But after all, love had conquered the angry flood, for he had left a clue that the rapid could not destroy.

Agatha thought Thirlwell understood something of her feelings, because he did not talk except when he showed her the posts.  When they reached the last he said, “On the whole, I imagine your father’s judgment was good.  In fact, he picked his ground like a mining engineer.”

“He had twenty years to brood about the vein at home,” Agatha replied.  “Are you surprised that he studied all the books on mining he could get?”

Thirlwell made an apologetic gesture.  “I oughtn’t to be surprised:  he was your father, and it’s obvious that you have prepared yourself to carry on his work.  Well, I think he has staked off the best of the vein; at least, his claim covers the part that can best be reached.  But you’ll have trouble with the water; it may mean driving a drainage heading and putting up expensive pumps.  The ore may be rich enough to stand the extra cost, but I can tell you more when I have fired a shot.”

They went back to the camp, where the Metis had cooked supper, but Thirlwell did not eat much and soon returned to the cliff.  He took the white rock-borer, but Agatha did not go with him.  She felt chilled by his quietness.  It was now plain that, since her father had marked off the exposed edge of the inclined lode, Thirlwell must sink a deep shaft if he wished to reach it farther back.  This, however, did not account for his moodiness; for one thing, he had not expected that they would find the ore.  Besides, he was generous and would want her to have the best.  It would have been a comfort to give him half the claim, but he would refuse the gift.  She had meant to enjoy her triumph with him, but this satisfaction had gone.  It hurt, her to see him disturbed, but she colored as she resolved that her success should not separate them.  If he was obstinate, something must be risked.

In the meantime, Thirlwell struck the drill his companion held.  His face was damp with sweat and the hammer slipped in his hands, but he did not miss a stroke.  He had promised the girl his help, and when the hole was sunk he chose the best spot for the next with fastidious care.  He meant to play a straight game, although it would cost him much to let her win.  By and by the miner picked up some of the bits of stone.