"Oh, yes, we have to. There is enough down here at this moment to more than blow up the Ruby Mountain. The greater part of it is stored in what is known as the Ozark drift, the drift running to the southeast. I'll show it to you when we go that way."
Now they were nearing the more active operations and the metallic click of the steam drills filled the air as they bored their way through the solid rock, necessitating the raising of voices that the boys might make themselves heard.
"Would you like to take a ride in one little cars?" asked Mr. Phipps.
The boys were quite certain that they would enjoy such a trip.
"Pile into the next car, then. We'll send it through without any ore this time. There would not be room if we were to load the car. I think it will be a novel experience for you."
And Tom Phipps smiled significantly.
Directing the switch man to shift the car back to the return track, the mining engineer told the lads to climb in and sit down on the floor, which they did promptly.
Only the tops of their heads projected above the sides of the ore car.
"Under no circumstances must any of you straighten up unless you wish to get your heads smashed."
"Why, there is plenty of room for our heads here," replied Ned. "We could stand up and yet have some to spare."