the slope.

The crash of the timbers and earth was by no means an unusual sound in
the mine, where heavy masses of coal were constantly being detached by
blasts, and the leader of the regulators had good reason to believe it
would be unnoticed. His only care was to avoid Sam, in case he should
return sooner than might be expected, and to this end he darted from one
cutting to another, until having reached a point from which, at the
proper moment, he could gain the slope.

Here he remained partially screened from view until the empty car, which
Sam was to send to the new cutting, had passed on its way up the drift.

Now he listened intently, and in a few moments came the cry:

"A break! A break, and three men buried! Help on the lower level!"

Those who were near enough to hear this appeal sent the alarm from drift
to drift up the slope, until the entire mine seemed to be ringing with
the words:

"Help is needed on the lower level!"

In view of all that happened, together with the knowledge that if any
attack was made by the Billings' gang it would be on the lower level,
every workman ran with all speed to the bottom of the slope, and among
the foremost was Mr. Wright.

"What has happened?" he asked of a blacksmith, who was darting toward
the chamber in which the tools were stored.

"Bill Thomas, Joe Brace, and a butty are buried in a cutting the fools
were makin' up there a piece."

"Go back," Mr. Wright cried to the swarm of men which came down the
slope like a living stream. "Not more than twelve can work to advantage,
and we have that number here."

"But we want to do our share," an old miner replied.

"You shall have a chance if we do not find them soon. It is not safe to
have so many here at once."

All hands understood the reason for this caution, and as the crowd
turned to ascend Skip Miller slipped from his hiding place and joined
them. He did not fear detection while every one was in such a state of
excitement, and even if he should be recognized it would be only natural
for him to have followed the men at the first alarm.

It was necessary, however, that he should avoid Donovan, and with the
utmost caution he emerged from the slope, running as fast as his legs
would carry him on reaching the open air.

Not until Taylor's groggery was near at hand did he slacken speed, and
then, assuming as best he could an air of composure, he opened the door
cautiously to peep in.

Cale Billings was the o