Then suddenly a totally bald head shot up through the opening, a seamed face the color of parchment, with squinting gray eyes, peered suspiciously about, while a gnarled hand reached forth, grasped a post in support, and dragged out into the sunlight a short, sturdy body.

Mike straightened up, with a peculiar jerk, on the dump, spat viciously over the edge of the canyon, and drew a short, black pipe from out a convenient pocket in his shirt.

He made no audible comment, but stood, his back planted to the two watchers; and Stutter cleared his throat noisily.
"Th-th-this l-l-lady wants ter s-s-see how we m-m-mine," he explained in painful embarrassment, "a-an' I th-th-thought I 'd t-take her d-d-down if you 'd w-work the w-w-windlass a b-bit." Old Mike turned slowly around and fronted the two, his screwed-up eyes on the girl, while with great deliberation he drew a match along the leg of his canvas trousers.
"Onything to oblige ye," he said gruffly.

"Always ready to hilp the ladies--be me sowl, Oi've married three of thim already.

An' wus this Hicks's orthers, Stutter ?" "N-n-no, not exactly," Brown admitted, with evident reluctance.