Two passed very near the almost exhausted boy's head; but none inflicted any injury, and he shouted again and again for those who were working at the pumps.
At the very moment when Fred lost all hope a tiny ray of light appeared from out the gloom, and he cried for help once more; then fell headlong to the ground.
When he next realized anything he was surrounded by miners, who had evidently been running, and one asked, impatiently:
"Can you tell us what happened, lad, an' how them sneaks managed to get in here?"
"Indeed they have; we chased them the matter of half a mile, an' then concluded it was time we got the story from you, for it might not have been safe to pass the first drift."
In a few words Fred told his story, adding as it was ended:
"There is a big crowd of them, and all hands are bent on flooding the mine."
"We don't care to have them drown us out like rats, so I reckon there'll have to be some fightin' done before that little game is played."
"But what about Sam?"