ven in the mine the effect of the heavy rain began to be noticed. The
drippings from the roof fell thicker and faster, the tricklings down the
walls became little rivulets, and the black streams in the ditches
swirled along angrily. The great pumps worked steadily, night and day,
at their fullest speed, and from the mouths of the waste-pipes young
rivers of black water were poured; but the mine grew constantly wetter
and more uncomfortable.

Finally the mine boss decided that it was almost time to temporarily
abandon the lower workings, and allow them to fill up, so that the whole
force of both pumps might be directed towards keeping the upper level
free of water. He spoke to Tom Evert of this, and the latter begged for
just one day more, as he thought he had nearly cut through to the water,
and was anxious to get the pipe laid, and have that job off his hands.

"Very well," said Mr. Jones, "you may have one day, Tom, and no more
until after the rain stops; for without both pumps in the upper level we
shall, very soon, have to shut down altogether."

During the morning of that fourth day they uncovered a wall of rock,
which barred their way completely, and Tom Evert decided that at least
one blast would be necessary to force an opening through it. After
lunch-time he left the other miner, with the two helpers, to drill a
hole in it, while he went up into the village to procure some powder and
fuse for the work.

Those left below had not been long at work when Derrick noticed a little
stream of water spurting out at one side of the rock. He called the
attention of the miner to it, and he, without a word, sprang to the
place and tried to check the stream, first with earth, and then with
strips torn from his shirt, but could not. As he stopped its flow at one
point, it burst out at another.

Finally he exclaimed, "It's no use, boys! we'll never be able to draw
this water off through any pipe; it's going to take that business into
its own hands, and the best thing we can do is to get out of here quick
as we know how."

Even as he spoke there came a rattling rush of earth and loose rock,
followed by the roar of angry waters, as they leaped out of the
blackness like a savage animal upon its prey. The long pent-up waters,
swollen by the heavy rains and scorning any effort to draw them off
gradually, had burst forth in all their fury, and in less time than it
takes to write of it, the old gangway was filled with the surgi