"Three or four of sich bosses as Donovan may be in the drift when with
one stroke of a pick I let the water into the lower level, and that'll
show the others we're men, even if they do treat us like brutes."

"You will drown some of your own mates."

"Them as are on the level must take their chances."

"It's murder, that's what it is, an' I'll have none of it!" Brace cried,
as he leaped to his feet, and in another instant the whole party were
facing him who dared dispute their right to do wrong.

For some moments our hero could not distinguish a word, so great was the
confusion; but when the tumult subsided in a measure two men were
holding Brace, while he who appeared to be leader stood before him in a
threatening attitude.

"You've sworn to go with the crowd, and know the penalty for traitors."

"I know that I'll blow the whole business if I get the chance. I've got
a brother in the lower level; do you think I'll stand by while he is
bein' murdered?"

"Better do that than turn agin us. We'll give you one chance; swear to
hold your tongue, an' we'll do no more than make sure you can't betray
us."

"An' if I don't choose to swear?"

"Then we'll leave you here lashed hand an' foot. When the mine is
flooded this drift will be cut off, an' it don't need a lawyer to say
what'll happen then."

"So to spite them as have done you a bad turn you're willin' to murder
me?"

"That's about the size of it."

"Listen to me, Cale Billings. I promised to stand by you fellers when
the agreement was to help each other agin the bosses; but now it's
murder you mean. I'd rather be on the lower level when the deed is done
than have part or parcel with them as are willin' to make widows an'
orphans."

"Then we know what to do," Billings cried angrily, as he rushed toward
Brace, and for several moments Fred had only a confused idea of what was
taking place.

Brace was fighting against the entire party, and, under such
circumstances, the struggle could not be prolonged.

When the watcher could next distinguish the occupants of the chamber
Brace laid on his back bound hand and foot, while the others were on the
point of departure.

Billings remained behind his companions to say:

"We gave you all the chance we could, an' now it's only yourself you've
got to thank for what'll happen before forty-eight hours go by."

"I'd die twice over rather than put the stain of blood on my hands."

"Well, you've got the chance to try i