eman-like, with her father, and knew he
was going to take you to live in the very house along of her, I
couldn't help but hate you."

"You surely can't mean Miss Trefethen?"

"Yes, sir, no other; and when I seen you and her walking together, and
she looking up so smiling into your face, I swore I'd kill you if ever
I had the chance, and this day the devil gave it to me. But now,
Mister Peril, you've proved yourself the best man of us two, and if
you want her I'll never again stand in your way."

"But I don't want her!" cried Peveril. "Nothing was ever farther from
my thoughts; and even if I did, I couldn't have her, because I am
engaged to another young lady."

"You are, sir? Bless you for them words! And may I tell her that you
are already bespoke?"

"Certainly; or, better still, I will tell her myself at the very first
opportunity I have for speaking with her on such a subject. But, now
that everything is settled between us, don't you think we'd better
prepare the blast again before we go up? There is fuse enough left in
the skip."

"Well, you are a game one!" exclaimed Connell, admiringly. "Of course,
if you are willing to do it after what you've just gone through, I'm
the man to stand by you. Only I do hope as there won't be no hitch in
the hoisting this time."

The signal, "All's well," having already been sent to the surface,
Connell now notified the engineer to be ready to hoist for a blast,
and the two set to work. In a few minutes the charge, that had so
nearly proved fatal to both of them, was again ready for firing, and
the hissing fuses were lighted. Then both men sprang into the skip,
the signal to hoist was hurriedly sounded, and away they sped up the
black shaft towards the distant sunlight.

As they reached the surface and clambered from the skip, aided by a
dozen eager hands, there came from the depths below a dull roar and
the tremor of a heavy explosion. At this a throng of persons which, to
Peveril's surprise, was gathered at the shaft-mouth raised a mighty
cheer. Then they crowded tumultuously forward to shake hands with, or
even to gaze on, the hero of the hour; for, on his previous visit to
surface, Mike Connell had told of Peveril's brave deed, and news of it
had already spread far and wide. So the night-shift had paused to see
him before entering the mine, and the day-shift had waited to greet
him before going to their homes, while others had come from all
directions.

Waving them a