soul in
the mine must inevitably have perished. Robert Stephenson and Moodie, on
the first impulse, ran back at full speed along the dark gallery leading
to the shaft, coming into collision, on their way, with the hind quarters
of a horse stunned by the explosion. When they had gone halfway, Moodie
halted, and bethought him of Nicholas Wood. "Stop, laddie!" said he to
Robert, "stop; we maun gang back, and seek the maister." So they
retraced their steps. Happily, no further explosion had taken place.
They found the master lying on the heap of stones, stunned and bruised,
with his hands severely burnt. They led him to the bottom of the shaft;
and he took care afterwards not to venture into the dangerous parts of
the mine without the protection of a Geordy lamp.

The time that Robert spent at Killingworth as viewer's apprentice was of
advantage both to his father and himself. The evenings were generally
devoted to reading and study, the two from this time working together as
friends and co-labourers. One who used to drop in at the cottage of an
evening, well remembers the animated and eager discussions which on some
occasions took place, more especially with reference to the growing
powers of the locomotive engine. The son was even more enthusiastic than
the father on this subject. Robert would suggest numerous alterations
and improvements in details. His father, on the contrary, would offer
every possible objection, defending the existing arrangements,--proud,
nevertheless of his son's suggestions, and often warmed and excited by
his brilliant anticipations of the ultimate triumph of the locomotive.

These discussions probably had considerable influence in inducing
Stephenson to take the next important step in the education of his son.
Although Robert, who was only nineteen years of age, was doing well, and
was certain at the expiration of his apprenticeship to rise to a higher
position, his father was not satisfied with the amount of instruction
which he had as yet given him. Remembering the disadvantages under which
he had himself laboured through his ignorance of practical chemistry
during his investigations connected with the safety-lamp, more especially
with reference to the properties of gas, as well as in the course of his
experiments with the object of improving the locomotive engine, he
determined to furnish his son with as complete a scientific culture as
his means would afford. He also believed tha