little David and what
had become of him. Mrs Kempson recollecting what her own son had done,
observed that perhaps he had come up after all, and had gone away to
Newcastle, or Shields, to get on board ship.

"Oh no, no, my David would never have gone away from me," exclaimed Mrs
Adams; yet, as she said this, hope came back to her heart, for he might
perhaps have thought that he was going off to make his fortune, and that
if he came to her first she might prevent him. "Alack, alack, there's
little wisdom in young heads. Maybe he's gone that way, Mrs Kempson,"
she said at last, and the thought seemed to bring some comfort to her.

All appeared to agree with her except Dick. He was sure that David
would not have gone away without, at all events, hinting his intention
to him.

The next day was Sunday, when no mines are worked. Dick, in spite of
his fears of bogies, had made up his mind to go and search for his
friend alone if he could get no one to go with him. He thought perhaps
the butty would let him go down with his Davy lamp. He would fill his
pockets with bits of paper and drop them as he went along, so as to find
his way back, and to know where he had been over before. He had got
several old newspapers to tear up, and he would take a stick with him,
and a basket of food, and a bottle of beer, and he would go into every
nook and passage of the mine till he had found his friend. Dick's were
brave thoughts. He fancied that he should have foes of all sorts to
fight with, but for the sake of his friend he made up his mind to meet
them.

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Note 1. The "butty" is the head man over all the works, and indeed
everything about the pit; the "doggy" has charge of the underground
works, and looks after all the men and boys in the pit.

STORY SIX, CHAPTER 4.

The next day was Sunday, when the missionary again came to the village,
and did not fail to visit Samuel Kempson's cottage. He heard of the
disappearance of David Adams. He pointed out the only source from which
the sorrowing mother could obtain comfort, and besought all those
present to turn at once to the Lord. He reminded them that any moment
they might all be hurried into eternity. He asked each man present to
say how many friends of his had been cut off on a sudden--how many had
died unprepared--and then begged them to tell him if they were ready to
leave the world; and if t