s up the gangway, followed by four of his companions.
The rest of the Mollies, feeling that no more business would be
transacted that evening, and having no inclination to join in the human
hunt, dispersed to different parts of the new workings, or went up the
slopes to the surface. Monk Tooley stayed behind, not for the purpose of
joining in the pursuit of the mine boss and his companion, but with a
vague idea of protecting Derrick from harm in case they should be
caught.

Led by Job Taskar, the four Mollies eagerly and carefully explored every
foot of the gangway, and even climbed up into several worked-out breasts
at its side, thinking the fugitives might be hidden in them.

After surmounting several minor obstacles, they finally came to one that
was much more serious. It was a mass of fallen debris that filled the
gangway to within a couple of feet of its roof, and extended for a long
distance. Thinking that perhaps it completely choked the passage a few
yards farther on, and that he might now find those whom he sought in
hiding, like foxes run to earth, Taskar eagerly scrambled up over the
loose rocks and chunks of coal, reaching the top while his followers
were still at some distance behind.

[Illustration: SUDDENLY THERE CAME A BLINDING FLASH, A ROAR AS OF A CANNON]

Suddenly there came a blinding flash, a roar as of a cannon discharged
in that confined space, a furious rush of air that extinguished every
light and shrouded the gangway in a profound darkness, and the rattling
crash of falling rocks and broken timbers. The Mollies who followed Job
were hurled, stunned and bleeding, to the floor of the gangway. Even
Monk Tooley, who was at a considerable distance behind them, was thrown
violently against one of the side walls. As for Job Taskar, he lay dead
on the heap of debris over which he had been climbing when the uncovered
flame of his lamp ignited the terrible fire-damp that hung close under
the roof. He was burned almost beyond recognition, and the clothes were
torn from his body. Among the fragments of these afterwards picked up
was found a portion of a letter which read:

"_It will be impossible to obtain the position until_
_position must be supported by a number of votes wh_
_when you become mine boss._

"_You know as well as anybody that a county delega_

When the battered and bruised miners had recovered their senses,
relighted their lamps, and ascert