The engineman turned on the steam; there was a slight movement, and then the engine stopped.
"A little more steam," Jack said. "The cage has caught, but it may come."
There was a jerk, and then the engine began to work.
"That is all right," Jack said, "whether the lower cage is on or not. Stop now, and wind it back, and get the other cage up again. Does the bell act, I wonder?"
Jack pulled the wire which, when in order, struck a bell at the bottom of the shaft, and then looked at a bell hanging over his head for the answer. None came.
"I expect the wire's broken," he said, and went out to the pit's mouth again.
The surface-men were all gathered round now, the tip-men, and the yard-men, and those from the coke-ovens, all looking wild and pale.
"I am going down," Jack said; "we may find some poor fellows near the bottom, and can't wait till a head-man comes on the ground. Who will go with me? I don't want any married men, for you know, lads, there may be another blow at any moment."
"I will go with you," one of the yard-men said, stepping forward; "there's no one dependent on me."
"I, too," said another; "it doesn't matter to any one but myself whether I come up again or not."