He stooped and tried to raise the body. Then the last gleam of his light went out—his lungs seemed to cease acting, and he saw no more.
THE VAUGHAN PIT.—IV.
When he came to himself again he was being carried on Bill Haden's shoulder.
"All right, dad!" he said. "I am coming round now; put me down."
"That's a good job, Jack. I thought you would scarce come round again."
"Have you got either of the others?"
"We've got Brook; you had your arm round him so tight that Ned and I lifted you together. He's on ahead; the masons are carrying him, and Ned is showing the way. Can you walk now?"
"Yes, I'm better now. How did you manage to breathe, dad?"
"We didn't breathe, Jack; we're too old hands for that. When we saw you fall we just drew back, took a breath, and then shut our mouths, and went down for you just the same as if we'd been a groping for you under water. We got hold of you both, lifted you up, and carried you along as far as we could before we drew a breath again. You're sharp, Jack, but you don't know everything yet."
And Bill Haden chuckled to find that for once his practical experience taught him something that Jack had not learned from his books.