PREFACE
I have tried to write of the life I know, the life I have lived, and of the lives of the people whom, above all others, I love, and of whom I am so proud.
My people have been miners for generations, and I myself became a miner at the age of twelve. I have worked since then in the mine at every phase of coal getting until about five years ago, when my fellow workers made me their checkweigher.
I say this that those who read my book may know that the things of which I write are the things of which I have firsthand knowledge.
JAMES C. WELSH.
DOUGLAS WATER,
LANARK.
CONTENTS
[PREFACE]
[THE UNDERWORLD]
[I. THE THONG OF POVERTY ]
[II. A TURN OF THE SCREW]
[III. THE BLOCK]
[IV. A YOUNG REBEL]
[V. BLACK JOCK'S THREAT]
[VI. THE COMING OF A PROPHET]
[VII. ON THE PIT-HEAD]
[VIII. THE MANTLE OF MANHOOD]
[IX. THE ACCIDENT ]
[X. HEROES OF THE UNDERWORLD]
[XI. THE STRIKE]
[XII. THE RIVALS]
[XIII. THE RED HOSE RACE]
[XIV. THE AWAKENING ]
[XV. PETER MAKES A DECISION]
[XVI. A STIR IN LOWWOOD]
[XVII. MYSIE RUNS AWAY ]
[XVIII. MAG ROBERTSON'S FRENZY]
[XIX. BLACK JOCK'S END]
[XX. THE CONFERENCE]
[XXI. THE MEETING WITH MYSIE]
[XXII. MYSIE'S RETURN]
[XXIII. HOME]
[XXIV. A CALL FOR HELP]
[XXV. A FIGHT WITH DEATH]