ning to the
blacksmith's with tools that need sharpening, directing the course of
drills beneath the heavy hammer blows, holding lamps in dark places,
loading cars, or anything else for which he may prove useful. Shovelling
coal into a car is perhaps the hardest of all, and this was what Derrick
was now set at. It was hard, back-aching work, but he was fresh and
strong, and he took hold of it heartily and vigorously.

Suddenly he dropped his shovel, sprang at Tom Evert who was stooping
down to pick up a drill, and gave him so violent a push that he was sent
sprawling on his face some little distance away. Carried forward by his
own impetus, Derrick fell on top of the prostrate miner. Behind, and so
close to them that they were covered with its flying splinters, crashed
down the great pillar of coal, weighing several tons, that the "robbers"
had been working on. It had unexpectedly given way before their efforts,
and would have crushed Tom Evert beyond human recognition but for
Derrick's quick eye and prompt action.

When the big miner regained his feet he appeared dazed, and seemed not
to realize the full character of the danger he had so narrowly escaped.
He gazed at the fallen mass for a moment, and then, appreciating what
had happened, he seized Derrick's hand, and shaking it warmly, said,
"That's one I owe thee, lad. Now we'll knock off, for I'll do no more
'robbing' this day."

On their way to the foot of the slope the little party met the mine
boss, superintending the placing of new timbers, and taking such other
precautions as his experience suggested against the effects of the
"squeeze," which still continued, though less violently than when
Derrick entered the mine. He was surprised at seeing them thus early,
for it wanted nearly an hour of quitting-time. When he heard of Tom
Evert's narrow escape, he acknowledged that they had a good excuse for
knocking off, and complimented Derrick upon his presence of mind.

"By-the-way, Tom," he said, "you may quit 'robbing' for a few days. I
want you and your partner to go down on the lower level and pipe off the
water that's collecting in the old gangway--the one in which Job Taskar
was killed, you know."

"It'll be a ticklish job, boss."

"I know it, and that's the reason I send the steadiest man in the mine
to do it. It's got to be done by somebody, or else it will break through
some day and flood the whole lower level."

"All right, sir; I'll do my best wi' it;