Jack had not spoken since he reached the stall, but had sat down on a block of coal, with his elbows on his knees and his chin on his hands—a favourite attitude of his when thinking deeply.
THE VAUGHAN PIT.—V.
The other colliers had thrown themselves down on the ground; some sobbed as they thought of their loved ones above, some lay in silence.
Jack answered by rising to his feet.
"Yes, sir, I think we may do something."
The men raised themselves in surprise.
"In the first place, sir, I should send men in each direction to see how near the choke-damp has got. There are four roads by which it could come up. I would shut the doors on this side of the places it has got to, roll blocks of coal and rubbish to keep them tight, and stop up the chinks with wet mud. That will keep the gas from coming up, and there is air enough in the stalls and headings to last us a long time."
"But that would only prolong our lives for a few days, Jack, and I don't know that would be any advantage. Better to be choked by the gas than to die of starvation," Mr. Brook said; and a murmur from the men showed that they agreed with him.
"I vote for lighting our pipes," one of the miners said. "If there is fiery gas here, it would be better to finish with it at once."
There was a general expression of approval.