d to exercise authority over them,
and who, as he stepped forward, Derrick recognized with surprise as Bill
Tooley, ex-mule driver, and now breaker boy.

"What are you down here for, and what does all this mean, Bill?" asked
Derrick, as calmly as he could.

"It means," answered Bill, putting his disagreeable face very close to
Derrick's, "dat yer've got ter pay fer comin' down inter de mine, an'
fer takin' my mule, when I told yer not ter; dat's what it means. An' it
means dat we're goin' ter initerate yer inter de order of 'Young
Sleepers,' what every boy in de mine has got ter belong ter."

Derrick had heard of this order of "Young Sleepers," and knew it to be
composed of the very worst young rascals in the coal region. He knew
that they were up to all kinds of wickedness, and that most of the petty
crimes of the community were charged to them. In an instant he made up
his mind that he would rather suffer almost anything than become a
member of such a gang.

While these thoughts were passing through his mind the cry of "A treat!
a treat!" was again raised, and Bill Tooley again addressed Derrick,
saying,

"Ter pay yer way inter de mine, de fellers says yer must set up a kag er
beer. Ter pay fer drivin' my mule, I say yer got ter take a lickin', an'
after that we'll initerate yer."

Now, both Derrick's father and mother had taught him to abhor liquor in
every form; so to the boy's first proposition he promptly answered,

"I haven't got any money, and couldn't afford to buy a keg of beer, even
if I wanted to. I don't want to, because I'm a blue ribbon, and wouldn't
buy even a glass of beer if I had all the money in the world. I won't
join your society either, and I don't see how you can initiate me when I
don't choose to become a member. As for a licking, it'll take more than
you to give it to me, Bill Tooley!"

With these bold words the young mule-driver made a spring at his chief
tormenter, in a desperate effort to break through the surrounding group
of boys. In the distance he saw the twinkling lights of some miners, and
thought if he could only reach them they would afford him protection.

Derrick's defiant speech for an instant paralyzed his hearers with its
very boldness; but as he sprang at Bill Tooley they also made a rush at
him with howls of anger. He succeeded in hitting their leader one
staggering blow, but was quickly overpowered by numbers and flung to the
ground, where the young savages beat and