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It was an
obstinate, mulish old face, seamed and creased, the bright sunlight
rendering more manifest the leather-like skin, the marvellous network
of wrinkles about eyes and mouth. Not being paid for thought, the old
fellow now contented himself with dozing, quite confident of not being
quickly disturbed.
In this he was right. The two were below for fully an hour, while
above them Mike leaned with back comfortably propped against the
windlass in perfect contentment, and the hobbled pony peacefully
cropped the short grass along the ledge. Then the brooding silence was
abruptly broken by a voice rising from out the depths of the shaft,
while a vigorous shaking of the dangling rope caused the windlass to
vibrate sharply. Old Mike, with great deliberation stowing away his
pipe, unslipped the raw-hide, and, calmly indifferent to all else
except his necessary labor, slowly hauled the girl to the surface. She
was radiant, her eyes glowing from the excitement of unusual adventure,
and scrambled forth from the dangling bucket without awaiting
assistance.


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