ing this way."

"Who's going to prowl?" queried Josh. "The camp is asleep."

"Reade is up; we know that," Dolph insisted.

"Humph! We saw through the window that he's too drowsy to stir."

"Don't be too sure," warned Gage. "He may be only a boy, but
he's a sure terror, the way he finds out things! He may be out
at any time. Come, we'll hustle, and then get away from here."

"I'm ready," said the third man.

"Then get on to the top ladder," ordered Dolph. "When you're
down about fifteen feet, then stop and light your lantern. We'll
each do the same."

Dolph waited until the other two had reached the bottom of the
shaft and he could see their lanterns. Then he, too, descended,
lighting two more lanterns after he reached firm ground.

"Where are you going to set the stuff off?" Josh asked.

"In two places," Gage answered. "One big pile in the tunnel,
half-way between the heading and the shaft, and the other at the
bottom of the shaft. Get picks and a couple of shovels, and we'll
soon lay mines and tamp 'em."

While the men were obeying, Gage reclimbed the ladders. Roping
about a third of the dynamite sticks, and passing a loop over
one shoulder, he succeeded in carrying the dynamite below. In
two more trips he brought down the rest. The fourth trip he came
down with a magneto and several coils of light firing wire.

On account of their industry the time slipped by rapidly. As
a matter of fact their wicked task occupied them for nearly four
hours. However, no sound of what went on underground reached
the ears of those who slept in the shacks.

"We're ready for the wiring," announced Josh at last.

"I'll do that myself," said Gage. "I want it well done. Each
of you hold a lantern here."

By the light thus provided Dolph attached the light wires so that
the electric spark would be communicated to each stick in this
"mine." This was done by looping a circuit wire around each separate
stick, and connecting the wire with each detonating cap. The
dynamite, frozen on the snow crust, had thawed again at this
subterranean level.

"Now, for the last tamping," ordered Gage.

While the others worked, Dolph carefully superintended their operations.

At last the tamping was done, and the connecting wires were carried
back to the bottom of the shaft.

Here the second mine was connected in the same manner, and the wires
joined so that the circuit should be complete.

"One spark from the magneto,