"Where's the boss?" he demanded quickly of Grennan.
Just then the roar of a fresh rushing of waters was borne up to them, and Carnally was filled with anxiety as he leaned over the edge of the pit.
"Allinson!" he shouted.
No answer came, and before the scared miners could fully1 realize what had happened, Carnally was sliding down the rope. In the feeble light at the bottom he saw Andrew's arms reaching above his head grasping desperately2 on to the ladder. He seemed unable to pull himself up, but held on with a vise-grip.
"All right, Allinson!" Carnally called across reassuringly3.
Letting go of the rope, a few strokes in the water brought him to the ladder.
With Carnally's assistance, he managed to climb to the top of the ladder, where a dozen arms were extended to pull him to safety. He had a bad gash5 on his knee, his fingers on one hand were bruised6 and bleeding, and there was a large welt on his head where the cross-[Pg 78]beam had struck him; but there seemed to be nothing serious.
He held out his hand to Carnally, and they gripped in silence. Words were unnecessary.
"The cross-pieces of the ladder could not have been properly notched7 in," Andrew said after a while. "I think it was supplied by Mappin?"
"Yes," answered Carnally; "and it's a rough job!"
"I must endeavor to see that Mappin does his work better. But what's to be done about the flooded level?"
"Try to pump it out; it's fortunate that with a wood-burning engine fuel costs you nothing. I expect Watson will start all the boys at the new heading as soon as he gets back."
They discussed the mine until Yan Li called them to supper, and for the next two weeks they worked very hard. Then Andrew went down to the Landing on business, and one day he sat lazily in a rowing skiff on the Lake of Shadows. A blaze of sunshine fell upon the shimmering8 water, which farther on was streaked9 with deep-blue lines, but close at hand it lay dim and still, reflecting the somber10 pines. The skiff was drifting past the shore of a rocky island, on which a few maples11, turning crimson12, made patches of glowing color among the dusky needles, when Andrew saw a girl sitting on the shore. She was near when he noticed her, and it struck him that she was remarkably13 pretty. The thin white dress, cut in the current American fashion, left her finely molded arms uncovered to the elbow and revealed her firm white throat. Her hands were shapely; and, for her hat lay beside her, he noticed the warm coppery tones in her hair. She had gray eyes and her face pleased him, though while observing the regularity14 of her[Pg 79] features, he could not clearly analyze15 its charm. Then feeling that he had gazed at her as long as was admissible, he dipped his oars16, but, somewhat to his astonishment17, she called to him.
"Did you see a canoe as you came?" she asked.
"No," Andrew answered. "Have you lost yours?"
"It floated away; I didn't notice until it was too late. It went toward the point."
She indicated the end of the island, and Andrew nodded.
As he swung the skiff round it struck him that she had kept curiously19 still. Her pose was somewhat unusual, for she sat with her feet drawn20 up beneath her skirt, and skirts, as he remembered, were cut decidedly short. He rowed away and presently saw the canoe some distance off. On running alongside, he noticed a pair of light stockings in the bottom, and laughed as the reason for the girl's attitude became apparent. Pulling back with the canoe astern, he loosed the light craft and drove it toward the beach with a vigorous push.
"Thank you," said the girl, and he tactfully rowed away.
He had not gone far when he heard a hail and saw her standing21 on the point, waving her hand. For a moment or two he hesitated. As the canoe had grounded within her reach, he could not see what she wanted; and, in view of the discovery he had made, he had imagined that she would have been glad to get rid of him. Still, she had called him and he pulled back.
"Can I be of any further assistance?" he asked, noticing with some relief that she now had her shoes on.
"No paddle? But how could it have fallen out?"
"I don't know; and it doesn't seem an important point. Perhaps the canoe rocked, and it overbalanced."
"I could tow you to the Landing," Andrew suggested.
His manner was formally correct and she felt half amused. This young man was obviously not addicted24 to indiscriminate gallantry.
"I don't want to go to the Landing, and the canoe would tow easier with no one on board. Your skiff should carry two."
He ran the craft in, made fast the canoe, and then held out his hand. When she was seated, he pushed off.
"Where shall I take you?" he asked gravely.
"To the large island yonder—the Island of Pines," she said, indicating it; and he knew that this was Geraldine Frobisher, whom Mappin had discussed. Andrew admitted that his description of her was warranted.
"You have been unlucky," he remarked.
"I've been careless and have had to pay for it. We got breakfast early and I've missed my lunch."
"It's nearly three o'clock," said Andrew, pulling faster. "But how is it no one came to look for you?"
"My aunt goes to sleep in the afternoon; my father had some business at the Landing—if he had been at home it would have taken him some time to find me. He would have searched the nearer islands first, systematically25 and in rotation26." She smiled. "That's the kind of man he is. I suppose you have guessed who I am?"
"Miss Frobisher?"
"And you're Mr. Allinson. It wasn't hard to[Pg 81] identify you. Perhaps you know that your doings are a source of interest to the people at the Landing."
"I can't see why that should be so."
"For one thing, they seem to think you are up against what they call 'a tough proposition'."
Andrew's face grew thoughtful. Since the collapse27 of the heading, he had spent a fortnight in determined28 physical toil29, as his scarred hands and broken nails testified. It had been a time of stress and anxiety, and during it he had realized that the mine would be a costly30 one to work. The ore must carry a high percentage of metal if it were to pay for extraction.
"I'm afraid that's true," he said.
"Then you won't get much leisure for hunting and fishing?"
Andrew laughed.
"After all, those were not my objects in coming out, though you're not the only person who seems to have concluded that they were."
"I have no opinion on the matter," Geraldine declared. "But at the Landing you are supposed to be more of a sportsman than a miner—isn't it flattering to feel that people are talking about you? Then you are really working at the mine?"
"So far, I've saved the Company about two dollars and a-half a day."
"But isn't your voice in controlling things worth more than that?"
"No," Andrew replied; "I'm afraid it isn't."
"Then you don't know much about mining?"
"I believe," Andrew answered dryly, "I know a little more than I did."
Geraldine was pleased with him. The man was humorously modest, but he looked capable and resolute31.
[Pg 82]"Well," she said, "it can't be easy work; though one understands that getting the ore out is not always the greatest difficulty."
"It's hard enough when the roof comes down, and the props32 crush up, and the water breaks in. Still, I believe you're right."
"I know something about these matters," she said, and then surprised him by a sudden turn of the subject. "There's one man you can trust. I mean Jake Carnally."
"Do you know him?"
"He built our boat pier33 and cleared the bush to make our lawn. We often made him talk to us; and I know my father, who's a good judge, thought a good deal of him."
"Jake," said Andrew cautiously, "rather puzzles me: I can get so little out of him, though I like the man. As you seem to know the people I have to deal with, is there anybody else whose trustworthiness you would vouch34 for?"
Geraldine's face hardened.
"No, I don't know of anybody else; but you will soon be able to form your own opinion."
This struck Andrew as significant, because she must have heard of his connection with Mappin, who visited the house. Just then he caught sight of a boat that swung around the end of an island and headed toward them with bows buried in foam35.
"A gasoline launch," he said. "She's traveling very fast."
"It's ours," explained Geraldine. "My father must have got back from the Landing and has come to look for me."
The launch was soon abreast36 of them and stopped[Pg 83] near the skiff. A man of middle age, in light clothes, held the tiller and looked at Geraldine inquiringly.
"I suppose you have been dreadfully worried," she said with a smile at him. "I was cast away on a desolate37 island when the canoe went adrift, and should have been there still, only that Mr. Allinson came to my rescue." She turned to Andrew. "My father, Henry T. Frobisher."
Andrew noticed that Frobisher glanced at him keenly when he heard his name, but he started the engine and ran the launch alongside.
Andrew followed Miss Frobisher into the craft and made the skiff and canoe fast astern, and they set off and presently reached a short pier which ran out into still, clear water. A lawn stretched down to the shore, bordered with flowers, and at the end of it a wooden house stood against a background of somber pines. A veranda39 ran across the front, the rows of slender columns braced40 by graceful41 arches; above were green-shuttered windows, steep roofs, and gables. Moldings, scrolls42 and finials had been freely and tastefully used to adorn43 the building, though Andrew understood that Frobisher used it only occasionally as a summer resort.
Andrew was taken in and presented to Frobisher's sister, Mrs. Denton, a lady with a languid expression and formal manners. Then tea was served in artistic44 china, and after some general conversation Frobisher led Andrew to a small room on the upper story, which looked out upon the lake, and gave him an excellent cigar. Noticing him glance at the maps unrolled on a table, he smiled.
[Pg 84]"I find that I can't get away from business," he explained. "It follows me down here; and in a new country like this there's generally some interesting project cropping up. I go off into the bush hunting, and see something that looks like an opportunity; the idea sticks to me and begins to develop."
"So far, I haven't found the prospects45 here very encouraging; but I suppose mining's slow," Andrew responded. "What do you deal in?"
"Land, lumber46, waterfalls that will drive turbines—anything in the shape of natural resources. But how are you getting on at Rain Bluff47?"
Andrew reflected that as the Company's operations would be freely discussed at the Landing, there was no reason why he should be reticent48. Besides, he felt inclined to trust his host. The man had a keen, thoughtful face, but its seriousness was relieved by his genial49 smile.
"You seem to find the work harder than you expected."
"I must admit it," said Andrew. "If it were merely a question of propping51 up the roof, getting rid of the water, and cutting out the ore, I'd feel less diffident. It's the business complications that I have the most trouble in understanding."
Frobisher gave him a keen glance.
"That side's generally involved. Rain Bluff, however, has a good big capital, I understand."
"It's an expectation that's not invariably realized," Frobisher remarked dryly. "You feel that your shareholders53 ought to be satisfied?"
[Pg 85]"Of course. That's why I'm here."
"Our acquaintance is short, but if you don't feel that I'm too much of a stranger, I might perhaps be able to throw some light on any points that you're puzzled about. I've had a pretty extensive experience in these matters."
He was mildly gratified by his guest's ready confidence, but Andrew had been endowed with a quick and accurate judgment54 of character. He talked without reserve as Frobisher drew him out; and the American listened with unusual interest. The affairs of the Rain Bluff Company were no concern of his, but the working of Allinson's mind fixed55 his attention. Allinson was obviously a novice56 in such matters, but, for an untrained man, he showed a grasp of the salient points and a boldness in attacking difficulties which Frobisher thought remarkable57. Lighting58 a fresh cigar when Andrew had finished, he smoked a while in silence. With a few words he might explain the Company's situation in a manner that would fill his guest with astonishment and perhaps dismay, but on the whole it did not seem advisable that they should be spoken. It would be better that Allinson should find out for himself how matters stood. Frobisher felt strongly curious about what he would do then.
Andrew presently looked up, as if he expected some comment.
"There are one or two suggestions I might make," said Frobisher.
They were not of much moment, though they promised to save Andrew some time and trouble, and after discussing them he rose to go. When they reached the hall Geraldine met them.
"If you are going to the Landing, I'll come with[Pg 86] you," she said. "There are a few things I want from the stores."
"Then if Mr. Allinson will excuse me, I'll let you take him. I have some matters to consider before the mail to-morrow; and waiting while you buy millinery is a tedious business."
Frobisher shook hands with Andrew cordially.
"Come back to the Island of Pines whenever you feel inclined," he said, and Andrew and Geraldine walked down to the pier.
She started the engine and stood aft, holding the helm, while Andrew sat on a locker59, looking about while the launch swept noisily away. The days were rapidly getting shorter and the sunlight had faded off the lake. The breeze had fallen and the water lay gleaming, smooth as oil, with the shadow of the rocks and trees floating on it. Here and there a clump60 of pines to the westward61 stood out, black and rugged62, against a glow of pink and green; the air was cold and filled with a resinous63 fragrance64. But Geraldine occupied most of Andrew's attention. She stood, gracefully65 poised66, her light dress fluttering in the draught67 made by the launch's speed, and a clear warm color glowing in her face. Fine spray leaped about the bows, around which there curled a wisp of foam, and the froth streamed back far across the lake.
Andrew was inclined to be sorry the launch was so fast: it was not far to the Landing, and he could have spent an hour or two pleasantly on board. Miss Frobisher was not the first attractive young woman he had met, and she had neither said nor done anything in particular to excite his admiration68. Indeed, when he came to think of it, she had said little to him; but somehow she impressed him as no other girl had done.[Pg 87] When presently she made some remark which demanded an answer, they chatted gaily69 until she ran the launch alongside the wharf70. There Andrew left her and went to his hotel.
After making her purchases, Geraldine returned to the island, where she found her father sitting on the pier with a notebook in his hand.
"You landed your passenger safely, I see. What did you think of him?"
"He didn't give me much opportunity for forming an opinion, except that he's rather serious," Geraldine answered with a smile. "Besides, I don't suppose my opinion would be worth as much as yours."
"That's a very modest admission; I thought you imagined yourself a good judge of young men. Anyway, I'm interested in this one; perhaps because he has upset the ideas I had about him."
"How?"
"For one thing, he's straight—straight as a plumb-line, which isn't altogether what I expected. Then, for a man engaged in business, he's a type that's new to me."
"Are those remarks connected?" Geraldine asked with a laugh. "You're in business and nobody could be straighter than you are."
Frobisher looked at her with appreciation71.
"I'm afraid there have been occasions when I had to sail dangerously near the wind; but that's outside the question. I'm sorry for this young fellow—there's trouble ahead of him."
"You mean financial trouble? Of course, I've heard people talking about the mine."
"Not altogether; anyway, if I'm right about him, I don't think he'll find that the worst." Frobisher[Pg 88] broke into a thoughtful smile. "After all, I have met business men who didn't consider their money the most important thing they could lose. But I'm inclined to think the people who sent Allinson over here have made a mistake."
Geraldine was unwilling72 to betray too great an interest in the man; and, indeed, her curiosity about him did not go very far.
"Oh, well," she said, "it really doesn't concern us."
She turned toward the house, and Frobisher looked out across the water. From what he knew about Rain Bluff Mine he had concluded that Allinson must be either a clever and somewhat unscrupulous exploiter of such ventures, or a guileless ignoramus who could be made a tool of. Now, having met him, he was convinced that the man was neither of these. However, he had other things to think about; and opening the notebook he busied himself with a scheme for utilizing73 some water-power.
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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notched
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| a.有凹口的，有缺口的 | |
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shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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maples
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| 槭树，枫树( maple的名词复数 )； 槭木 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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analyze
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| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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astonishment
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leeward
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curiously
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drawn
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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frankly
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marooned
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addicted
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systematically
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rotation
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| n.旋转；循环，轮流 | |
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collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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props
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| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
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pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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vouch
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| v.担保；断定；n.被担保者 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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scrolls
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| n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕 | |
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adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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reticent
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| adj.沉默寡言的；言不如意的 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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mishaps
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| n.轻微的事故，小的意外( mishap的名词复数 ) | |
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propping
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| 支撑 | |
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52
dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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shareholders
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| n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 ) | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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resinous
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| adj.树脂的，树脂质的，树脂制的 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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65
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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67
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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68
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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72
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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utilizing
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的现在分词 ) | |
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