fallen
into decay.

The shaft had been sunk some fifty fathoms, but was now full of water,
to within forty feet of the surface. Some boards covered the top, and
the adventurous spirits among the boys would drop stones through the
openings between them, and listen to the splash as they struck the water
below, or would light pieces of paper and watch them falling into the
darkness, until they disappeared suddenly as they touched the water.

The winch used in the process of excavation remained, and round it was a
portion of the chain so old and rusty as to be worthless for any purpose
whatever. Lengths had from time to time been broken off by boys, who
would unwind a portion, and then, three or four pull together until the
rust-eaten links gave way; and the boys came to the ground with a crash.
It was a dirty game, however, dirty even for pit boys, for the yellow
rust would stick to hands and clothes and be very difficult to remove.

One Saturday afternoon a group of boys and girls of from ten to fourteen
were playing in the field. Presently it was proposed to play king of the
castle, or a game akin thereto, half a dozen holding the circular mound
round the old pit, while the rest attacked them and endeavoured to storm
the position. For some time the game went on with much shouting on the
part of the boys and shrill shrieks from the girls, as they were pulled
or pushed down the steep bank.

"Let us make a charge a' together," said Jack Simpson, who although not
thirteen was the leader of the attacking party.

Then heading the rush he went at full speed at the castle. Harry
Shepherd, who was one of the defenders, was at the top, but Jack had so
much impetus that he gained his footing and thrust Harry violently
backwards.

The top of the bank was but three feet wide, and within sloped down to
the mouth of the old pit shaft, fifteen feet below. Harry tottered, and
to avoid falling backwards turned and with great strides ran down the
bank. He was unable to arrest his course, but went through the rotten
fence and on to the boarding of the shaft. There was a crash, a wild
cry, and Harry disappeared from the sight of his horror-stricken
companions. The rotten wood-work had given way and the boy had fallen
into the old shaft.

A panic seized the players, some rushed away at the top of their speed
shouting, "Harry Shepherd has fallen down the old shaft!" others stood
paralysed on the top of the mound; girls screamed and cr