Those who were near enough to hear this appeal sent the alarm from drift to drift up the slope, until the entire mine seemed to be ringing with the words:
"Help is needed on the lower level!"
In view of all that happened, together with the knowledge that if any attack was made by the Billings' gang it would be on the lower level, every workman ran with all speed to the bottom of the slope, and among the foremost was Mr. Wright.
"What has happened?" he asked of a blacksmith, who was darting toward the chamber in which the tools were stored.
"Bill Thomas, Joe Brace, and a butty are buried in a cutting the fools were makin' up there a piece."
"Go back," Mr. Wright cried to the swarm of men which came down the slope like a living stream. "Not more than twelve can work to advantage, and we have that number here."
"But we want to do our share," an old miner replied.
"You shall have a chance if we do not find them soon. It is not safe to have so many here at once."
All hands understood the reason for this caution, and as the crowd turned to ascend Skip Miller slipped from his hiding place and joined them. He did not fear detection while every one was in such a state of excitement, and even if he should be recognized it would be only natural for him to have followed the men at the first alarm.
It was necessary, however, that he should avoid Donovan, and with the utmost caution he emerged from the slope, running as fast as his legs would carry him on reaching the open air.