It followed very nearly the line traced by the course of the river Forth, fifteen hundred feet above.
"So we are going to the end of the last vein ?" said James Starr.
"Ay! You know the mine well still." "Well, Simon," returned the engineer, "it will be difficult to go further than that, if I don't mistake." "Yes, indeed, Mr.Starr.That was where our picks tore out the last bit of coal in the seam.

I remember it as if it were yesterday.

I myself gave that last blow, and it re-echoed in my heart more dismally than on the rock.

Only sandstone and schist were round us after that, and when the truck rolled towards the shaft, I followed, with my heart as full as though it were a funeral.

It seemed to me that the soul of the mine was going with it." The gravity with which the old man uttered these words impressed the engineer, who was not far from sharing his sentiments.