r,
doggedly. "I won't stir until I know you're safe at the bottom
of the shaft."

"Go ahead up," ordered Tom. "I'm tying a lantern to my coat."

This he was even then doing, in fact, making the knot with a
handkerchief passed through one of the button-holes of the garment.

"Why don't you go up, with my message, Hunter?" Tom demanded.

"I'm afraid I can't stir, sir, until I know that you're safe at
the bottom."

"Nonsense! What could you do to save me if I lost my hold and fell?"
Tom questioned.

"Nothing at all, sir; but I'll feel a heap easier when I know you're
safe at the bottom."

"All right, then," called Reade. "Watch me!"

He swung off into space with the skill and sureness of the practiced
athlete. A little later Tom touched bottom, calling up:

"Now, get busy, Hunter. I'm all right."

"Are you at the bottom of the shaft, sir?"

"I'm on solid ground, but I'm not sure about being at the bottom
of the shaft. I'm afraid the opening to the tunnel has been blocked.
Send down two or three men, and then some tools. The tools can
come down in the tub, but forbid any men to try that way. The
tub is too uncertain and likely to tip over."

"If the tub tips out a pick or two, they might fall on you, sir,
and wind up your life," Hunter objected.

"That's a chance to which no good sport can object," laughed Tom.
"Go ahead and see that my instructions are carried out."

One of the men came down the rope first. He landed safely, but
looked at his hands in the dim light.

"That's a hard road to travel, Mr. Reade," he remarked. "I'll
not be much pleased with the trip back."

"It's easy to any one who has had enough practice," Tom observed,
mildly.

Then two other men came down in turn.

"We've enough men here," shouted Reade. "Now send tools."

Before long the young engineer had his little force busily engaged.

Of course, many of the timbers had been blown out of the walling
of the shaft. There was danger of the dirt caving in on the few
workers below.

"Now, you four can keep going, digging straight down and to the
eastward," said Tom. "I'm going up to get some more men at work,
putting in temporary walling. I don't want any of you men hurt
by saving dirt from the sides of the shaft."

All four men stopped work at once.

"What's the matter!" asked Reade.

"Coming down's easy, sir; we're waiting to see you go _up_
that rope."

"Then I'll endeavor not to keep you long away from y