workings and put out the fire, but won't
reach here. Then we can get up through the 'Logan,' where the air is
sure to be all right, as the water will bring good air down with it. We
may not do it in time, but it is a chance. What do you say, sir?"

"It is worth trying, at any rate," Mr. Brook said. "Bravo, my lad! your
clear head may save us yet."

"By gum, Jack! but you're a good un!" Bill Haden said, bringing down his
hand upon Jack's shoulder with a force that almost knocked him down;
while the men, with revived hope, leaped to their feet, and crowding
round, shook Jack's hands with exclamations of approval and delight.

"Now, lads," Mr. Brook said, "Jack Simpson is master now, and we will
all work under his orders. But before we begin, boys, let us say a
prayer. We are in God's hands; let us ask his protection."

Every head was bared, and the men stood reverently while, in a few
words, Mr. Brook prayed for strength and protection, and rescue from
their danger.

"Now, Jack," he said, when he had finished, "give your orders."

Jack at once sent off two men along each of the roads to find how near
the choke-damp had approached, and to block up and seal the doors. It
was necessary to strike a light to relight some of the lamps, but this
was a danger that could not be avoided.

The rest of the men were sent round to all the places where work had
been going on to bring in the tools and dinners to No. 15 stall, to
which Jack himself, Bill Haden, and Mr. Brook proceeded at once. No work
had been done there for years. The floor was covered with a black mud,
and a close examination of the face showed tiny streamlets of water
trickling down in several places. An examination of the stalls, or
working places, on either side, showed similar appearances, but in a
less marked degree. It was therefore determined to begin work in No. 15.

"You don't mean to use powder, Jack?" Bill Haden asked.

"No, dad; without any ventilation we should be choked with the smoke,
and there would be the danger from the gas. When we think we are getting
near the water we will put in a big shot, so as to blow in the face."

When the men returned with the tools and the dinners, the latter done up
in handkerchiefs, Jack asked Mr. Brook to take charge of the food.

"There are just twenty of us, sir, without you, and nineteen dinners. So
if you divide among us four dinners a day, it will last for five days,
and by that time I hope we shall be fre