aid the young man smiling, "but we
must have the rules of the mine strictly carried out."

"I'll back you up, Phil, in anything in reason," said Mr Hexton; "but
look here: be careful--don't trust yourself in that fellow's way, my
boy. I'm afraid he's an ugly character, and there's no knowing to what
lengths spite will lead an ignorant man. What shall you do? Haul him
up before the bench for threatening language--have him bound over?"

"No, father," said Philip quietly, as he sipped his tea. "I shall take
no further notice. I have shown the men to-night that I mean business,
that I am working for their good; and I have no doubt in the end that
they will learn to respect me as well as obey."

"And I wanted to stop him from going down the pit," said Mr Hexton to
himself, as he sat watching his son.

"It will be a long fight, father," cried Philip, rising and holding out
his hand. "Good-night!" he said with a smile; "we've declared war, but
I mean to win."

CHAPTER SIX.

IN GREAT PERIL.

There could be no doubt that Philip Hexton did mean to win the fight,
and there could also be no doubt that he was going the right way to work
to win it. The greater part of the men met his efforts for their good
in a surly, churlish way, as people will meet any one who tries to
interfere with their cherished notions; but there were others, few
though they were, who had the good sense and honesty to own that the
young deputy was right, and to join with him in trying to reform the
ways of the men in the pit.

Ebenezer Parks went on with his work as usual, showing no disposition to
resume the quarrel; but Philip noticed one thing, and that was--the man
never would look him in the face. No sooner did the young deputy come
in sight than Parks bent over his work, or stooped to trim his lamp with
the wire that passed through it; he never once gazed frankly and openly
in Philip's eyes.

Time wore on, and there could be no doubt about it, the mine regulations
were better kept, and hence there was less likelihood of an accident
occurring, though, of course, the utmost vigilance could not protect
those who worked from mishap.

Philip, with his father's help, devised two or three alterations in the
ventilation of the mine, which also made it less fiery, as the pitmen
called it; but his great project was to have another shaft.

"You see, father," he said, "we burrow into the ground like animals, but
we do not take their precau