right arrived the utmost confusion prevailed. All knew
it would be certain death to make a descent, while the deadly vapor was
so dense, and a second explosion might be expected at any moment.

Bill and Joe stood near the mouth of the slope ready to respond to the
first call for volunteers, when Mrs. Byram came up.

"Where is Fred?" she asked, with a brave attempt controlling her fears.

"He went to your house with Sam, so there's no need to worry about
them."

"They were not there more than ten minutes."

"Then both are in the crowd somewhere, for they wouldn't go down the
slope till we got back."

The almost distracted mother had no thought of keeping Skip's secret at
such a time, and when the two miners heard her story all hope for the
safety of the boys fled.

"They must have been in the old drift underneath the explodin' gas," Joe
exclaimed, involuntarily.

"It isn't sure the trouble began where we think," Bill said, quickly,
with a warning glance at his companion. "I've known of men who were shut
in a drift for a week, an' then brought out none the worse for wear, so
don't despair, Mrs. Byram."

"But why isn't something done to aid them?"

"We shall set to work the very minute it is safe to venture into the
next level. Go home, an' Joe or I will bring you the first news."

"Do you think I could remain there knowing my boy is dying,
or--or--dead?"

The women near by endeavored to console the sorrowing mother with words
of encouragement they themselves believed to be false, and Bill
whispered to his mate:

"There's a mighty slim show for the poor lads, an' it's through helpin'
him as tried to murder 'em that they've been caught."

Mr. Wright was doing his utmost to ascertain how many were yet in the
mine, and after a long while succeeded in learning that at least a dozen
men had been overpowered while some distance up the slope.

Those who reached the surface told of a number whom they had seen fall,
and some were certain one or two did not have time to gain the slope.

"Who will go with me?" the superintendent asked, as a car was made
ready. "I don't want the married men to volunteer, for they are needed
at home, and none of us may come back alive."

"Then why not stay here yourself?" a woman cried. "Your wife an'
children need you as much as ours need their fathers."

"Because it is my duty," was the calm reply. "Now who will come? I only
want two."

"Then the car is full," Bill said, as he