ting
under the sting of defeat.

At the usual hour next morning the whistle sounded, summoning the miners
to work, and every one responded save those who had been warned to leave
the town.

Mr. Wright was at the entrance to the slope, and had a pleasant greeting
for each man and boy, causing more than one to look ashamed because of
the part taken in the wanton destruction of his property.

Joe Brace and Sam went into the drift, leaving Fred with Chunky, and
that young fellow said, as he seated himself at the chute:

"Things have been pretty lively 'round here, eh?"

"I should say so. Were you out with the regulators?"

"I saw 'em once or twice."

"If you'll take my advice you'll leave that crowd. Skip Miller's as bad
as Billings."

"Don't speak so loud; he's lookin' over this way, an' may make things
hot for you if much is said."

"If he didn't do anything yesterday I guess he ain't dangerous."

"He couldn't find you."

"Then he was lookin' for me?"

"That's what I heard some of the fellers say."

"I should think he'd seen enough of such business; but if he hasn't I'll
have to take care of myself."

"Be careful," Chunky whispered. "He an' some of the other fellers think
you are more of a spy than Joe Brace was."

"And they mean to flog me for it?"

"Skip says you told Mr. Wright about their droppin' you in the shaft."

"Hadn't I the right to? Do you suppose I'll let them try to kill me, and
never open my mouth about it?"

"Well, it ain't safe, for he's got a big crowd."

"Then he hasn't had enough of the riot?"

"It ain't that; but he says the regulators have got to stand up for
their rights, an' you haven't paid your footin' yet."

"And I don't intend to. If any of them try to make me it'll go hard with
them."

At this point the machinery was started, the stream of coal and slate
began to flow through the chute, and the breaker boys were forced to
attend to their work.

Several times during the morning Donovan spoke to Fred as he passed, and
at twelve o'clock, when all hands were indulging in the forty minutes
"nooning," and Chunky had crossed over to speak with Skip, the breaker
boss ate his lunch by the new boy's side.

"You didn't come back again last night," he said.

"No, sir. After Brace got away from the mob he and Sam went home with
me. We didn't think you'd need us when the trouble was nearly settled."

"Neither did we. As soon as the men found their senses Mr. Wright
brought