There were scores at its mouth in five minutes; in ten minutes there were hundreds, and above all the clamor rose the cry of women:
“My Mester's down!”
“An' mine!”
“An' mine!”
“Four lads o' mine is down!”
“Three o' mine!”
“My little un's theer—th' youngest—nobbut ten year owd—nobbut ten year owd, poor little chap! an' on'y been at work a week!”
“Ay, wenches, God ha' mercy on us aw'—God ha' mercy!” And then more shrieks and wails in which the terror-stricken children joined.
It was a fearful sight. How many lay dead and dying in the noisome darkness below, God only knew! How many lay mangled and crushed, waiting for their death, Heaven only could tell!
In five minutes after the explosion occurred, a slight figure in clerical garb made its way through the crowd with an air of excited determination.