e some
time. The two men in the old workings are gone. They're probably
smashed under the fall, anyway."

"I'll get all those men out or break my neck trying!" burst out the
owner of the mine.

"If you scatter your forces, you won't do anything," the mining
engineer retorted. As an expert in his profession, he was prepared to
back his own opinion against all the officials of the mine, from the
owner down, the more so as he knew that his chief had not spent his
life in coal mining.

Owens glared at him, but he knew that the engineer was right.

"Lay out the work, then, since you know so much! I'll have the gangs
ready, by the time you are. You think the men in the end galleries can
be got at?"

"I'm sure of it, if they hold out long enough, and if they're lucky
enough to escape the damps. Our main trouble is going to be the
timbering. Now, the farther in we go, the farther we get from the
break. The roof will be solid back there, most likely. That's why I
think a good chance of rescue lies that way."

"Get at that end first, then. Clem Swinton's in that group of men. I'd
be sorry to lose him. He's the most promising young fellow in the
mine."

The mining engineer nodded.

"I know him. He's been attending the night school. You're right. We
can't afford to lose him. It's easy enough to find miners--especially
foreigners--but a young American who wants to learn the colliery
business thoroughly is rare. I've had my eye on him, too."

At this point, Otto, who had been edging near his superiors and who
had overheard the conversation, broke in.

"You don't need to worry over Clem Swinton, Mr. Owens," he said.
"Clem'll get a good scare out o' this, an' that's about all."

"How do you know, Otto?" The superintendent spoke good-humoredly, for
he knew and liked the old man. On more than one occasion, when a
strike was threatened Otto's good sense had held back his
fellow-miners from violent measures, and his chiefs recognized both
his popularity and his loyalty. "Did your friends the 'knockers' tell
you so?"

"They did, Mr Owens," was the unperturbed answer. "You'll see if I
ain't right!"

"I hope you are. I'll put you in charge of one of the gangs at that
end, if you like."

"I was a-goin' to," responded Otto, who had never doubted that he
would be chosen for the post.

By four o'clock in the afternoon, work had been thoroughly organized.
The pumps had got control of the water, a temporary ventilating
circui