"It could not be better," Bill Haden said; "for there will be thousands of people from all round to visit the mine."
"How much powder have you, Bill?" Jack asked.
"Four twenty-pound cans."
"Let us let off ten pounds at a time," Jack said. "Just damp it enough to prevent it from flashing off too suddenly; break up fine some of this damp wood and mix with it, it will add to the smoke."
In a few minutes the powder was ready, and a light applied; it blazed furiously for half a minute, sending volumes of light smoke up the shaft.
"Flash off a couple of pounds of dry powder," Bill Haden said; "there is very little draught up the shaft, and it will drive the air up."
For twenty minutes they continued flashing powder. Then they stopped and allowed the shaft to clear altogether of the smoke.
Presently a small stone fell among them—another—and another, and they knew that some one had noticed the smoke.
[It was indeed true. Their smoke signal had been seen and understood, and before long they were all drawn safely to the surface.
It may be imagined what excitement there was. Women crowded about Jack, calling down blessings on him for saving their husbands, and sons, and sweethearts, from death. And Mr. Brook was not slow to recognize his bravery and skill. He knew that if Jack's suggestions had been attended to, the explosion might not have happened; and so the young collier was made manager of the mine.]