ometimes found amongst the rock； it would soon have been empty； and the phenomenon have ceased。 But far from that。 According to Simon Ford； the fire…damp escaped incessantly； and from that fact the existence of an important vein might be considered certain。 Consequently； the riches of the Dochart pit were not entirely exhausted。 The chief question now was； whether this was merely a vein which would yield paratively little； or a bed occupying a large extent。
Harry； who preceded his father and the engineer； stopped。
〃Here we are！〃 exclaimed the old miner。 〃At last； thank Heaven！ you are here； Mr。 Starr； and we shall soon know。〃 The old overman's voice trembled slightly。
〃Be calm； my man！〃 said the engineer。 〃I am as excited as you are； but we must not lose time。〃
The gallery at this end of the pit widened into a sort of dark cave。 No shaft had been pierced in this part； and the gallery； bored into the bowels of the earth； had no direct munication with the surface of the earth。
James Starr； with intense interest； examined the place in which they were standing。 On the walls of the cavern the marks of the pick could still be seen； and even holes in which the rock had been blasted； near the termination of the working。 The schist was excessively hard； and it had not been necessary to bank up the end of the tunnel where the works had e to an end。 There the vein had failed； between the schist and the tertiary sandstone。 From this very place had been extracted the last piece of coal from the Dochart pit。
〃We must attack the dyke；〃 said Ford； raising his pick； 〃for at the other side of the break； at more or less depth； we shall assuredly find the vein； the existence of which I assert。〃
〃And was it on the surface of these roc