ll back, and grasping Peveril's hand, Mike Connell
shouted:

"Wait a minute, mates! Only one minute, and then you shall have a
chance at him. First, though, I want you all to know that Mister Peril
here has just stepped from the very jaws of hell, where he went of his
own free will to save my life. It's proud I am to call him my friend,
and for the deed he has done this day I name him the bravest lad in
all Red Jacket. If any man denies that, he'll have to settle with Mike
Connell, that's all. And now, boys, you may treat him as a brave man
deserves to be treated."

Poor Peveril, covered with confusion, tried to explain that whatever
he had done was for his own salvation as well as for that of his
friend, Mr. Connell; but no one would listen. All were too busy with
cheering and in crowding forward for a look at him.

In another minute he was hoisted on the shoulders of half a dozen
sturdy miners, the foremost of whom was proud old Mark Trefethen, and
was being borne in triumphal procession through the principal streets
of the town.

It was a spontaneous tribute of working-men to a fellow-workman; and,
gladly as Peveril would have modified the form of the ovation, he was
more proud of it than of any ever tendered him for having stroked the
Oxford 'varsity eight to a win.

CHAPTER X

HEROISM REWARDED

As the story of Peveril's brave act preceded him, it gained so
remarkably in passing from mouth to mouth that, by the time it reached
Mrs. Trefethen, she received a confused impression that by some
unheard-of bravery the young man had saved all in the mine, including
her Mark and her Tom, from instant destruction. Her information having
come direct from her dearest friend, Mrs. Penny, she could not doubt
its truth, nor had she time to do so before the triumphal procession
of miners appeared and halted at her very door.

Calling upon Nelly to support her, the worthy woman started forth to
greet her heroes, and welcome them with all the warmth of her
overflowing heart. As she gained the roadway, she was so blinded by
thankful tears that she could not distinguish one person from another,
but impulsively flung her arms about the neck of the first man she
encountered, who happened to be Mike Connell, and treated him to a
hearty embrace.

"Gie mun a kiss, lass!" she called to Nelly, as she loosed her arms
and made towards another victim. "Nought's too good for they brave
lads this day. Oh, Mark, man! but I be