Robbers were there, bold characters, dark-browed men, who would not hesitate to steal, and kill, if need be, in their nefarious work.

The miners had their perils to encounter in these bandits.

The robbers had their dens in the mountains in lonely places, beside a trail sometimes, and in the depths of the forests.

The dens had generally two rooms on the ground floor and a loft which was reached by a ladder.

If a belated miner sought shelter or food here he was given a lodging in the loft.