Amazing Stories: Shiner's Gold

"How long ago was this?" I asked.

"About 90 years," said Dad. "That's about how old this tree would be too."

"So this tree started growing underneath the house about 90 years ago?" I said. "And it's lifted it way up there!"

"Like Jack and the Beanstalk!"

"Wow!" I gasped.

Dad looked around at the walls of rock.

"If Shiner stopped here long enough to build this house," he said, "he might have started a mine, too. Let's have a scout round!"

It didn't take us long to find it. There was a gaping hole in the rock, not far from the tree. It was partly covered by creepers and ferns, so Dad pulled them clear and shone his flashlight in.

"Can't see anything," he said. "It looks quite deep!"

"I'm not going in there!" I told him.

"OK," said Dad, "you stay here. I'll have a look."

I didn't like being left alone, stuck between two high walls of rock, in the near silent bush, but there wasn't much choice. I sat on a cold rock and waited. There was no sunshine in this place. Only cold shadows, and dripping water, and the sound of insects.

Dad was gone a long time. Half an hour, an hour ... I stood up and paced about, trying to keep warm.

Then I heard something pushing through the ferns close by. I definitely didn't like being alone!

I called into the tunnel.

"Dad? Are you alright?"

There was no answer.

"Dad?"

Now I was sure of it. Something, or someone was watching me.