He crouched in the further corner hoping to slip the cartridges in the barrel, while they should be hunting for him; but one of the party ignited a match, and an instant later he was held as if by bands of iron.
"Light your lamps, an' be lively about it, for there's another one here!"
Sam made one violent effort to release himself; but in vain. When the chamber was illuminated he saw a crowd of men peering in every direction for Fred.
"It's Bill Thomas' butty," one of the party said in surprise. "I didn't know he was a bosses' pet."
"Neither will he be very long. Where's the other fellow?" and Sam's captor tried to choke the answer from him.
"If he don't speak quick strangle him. We can't spend much time on a kid," some one suggested, and the question was repeated.
Sam knew that the men were in no humor to be trifled with, and there was little doubt but the strangling would follow unless he obeyed. It was possible to delay the explanations for a few seconds, and thus give Fred so much more time to reach the lower level.
With this view he coughed and struggled after the vice-like pressure upon his throat was removed, to make it appear as if it was only with the greatest difficulty he could breathe, and fully a moment was thus gained when his captor kicked him two or three times as he said:
"None of that shamming. Speak quick, or I'll give you something to cough for."
"The fellow who was with me went back to the slope."