through which Fred had fallen, and as they clambered up
the joists the leader of the rioters muttered:

"Don't think you can smoke me out so easy. I'll leave my mark on this
mine before bein' run down, or know the reason why."

Neither Sam nor Fred gave so much as a passing thought to the man who
was responsible for all the damage which had been done; they were so
engrossed with the desire to aid Skip without being discovered by those
who might call him to an account for his crime that all else seemed as
trifles.

"I'll tell mother, and she will cook for us what may be needed," Fred
whispered, after they were in the lower level walking rapidly toward the
slope.

"That part of it don't trouble me so much as how we're to come back to
the mine without bein' seen by some of the men," Sam replied, and,
turning sharply Bill asked:

"What are you fellers chinnin' about?"

"There's no harm in talkin', eh?" and Sam assumed an air of impudence
such as the men had never seen before.

"I don't reckon there is, lad; but seein' as how we've hung together so
long, it wasn't strange to ask."

"I didn't mean to be too fresh, Bill," Sam replied, understanding that
he had spoken in a disagreeable manner. "Fred and I were only figuring
about coming back to make sure Billings didn't get into the level while
you were outside."

"That part of it can be fixed easy. Joe shall go to the store while I
see if anybody here knows about the old drift, and with three on guard I
don't reckon he can do much mischief."

"Then you can stay with him while I run home for some provisions," Fred
whispered, and during this conversation Cale Billings was clambering up
the joist which led to the last level.

CHAPTER XVI

GOOD SAMARITANS

Knowing that Joe and Bill were in Mr. Wright's confidence Donovan had no
hesitation about placing guards as desired, and immediately after they
ascended from the slope every exit was closely watched.

"Now you boys can see we've fixed things in proper shape," Bill said, in
a tone of triumph. "Do whatever you choose until to-morrow, an' Joe an'
me'll attend to Mr. Billings' case."

"But he might get into the lower level by the same way we did," Sam
ventured to suggest.

"There are plenty below to take care of that."

"Then there's no reason why we should come back?"

"Not unless you want to see the game played out."

"We'll run down to Fred's house, and then have a look at the place where
he wen