"Then you won't go?"
"Of course I will. Do you think I'm such a fool as to act dead against orders. Come on, an' let's get through with it as soon as possible."
By using an empty car, allowing it to run down the grade by its own weight, they were soon at the heavy doors which marked the termination of the first level. Here a halt was made, because even the boys whose duties it was to open the barriers were absent, and from this point the remainder of the journey was made on foot.
At the lower level five miners were found repairing the pumps, and the boys were forced once more to tell what had occurred in the village.
"Men what want to work don't go round kickin' up sich a row as this," one of the party said, as Fred and Sam passed on. "Give some of that Billings' crowd a chance an' the slope never'd be opened agin."
"There's a miner who won't join the mob," Fred said.
"Yes; but for every man like that a dozen can be found to fight against their own interests."
Now the boys no longer walked side by side. Sam led the way, watching narrowly the lamp in his companion's cap to discover the first signs of fire-damp, and guarding well the flame which served to show him the proper course.
"Be careful of your matches," he said warningly. "They may be worth a good deal before we get back from this wild goose chase."