"But the mine will be flooded if Billings succeeds with the tunnel."
"It can't be helped now. We should need, at least, fifty men to effect an entrance, and eighteen is the full number who can be trusted."
"Those who are there may be drowned."
"There is no danger of that since all hands are on the alert for the first signs of trouble."
"Then Sam and I may as well go home."
"It would be a good idea to tell Brace that he must try to get here unobserved. The men already believe he is in town, and I am afraid they may discover his hiding place, when there's bound to be mischief done."
Disheartened, because after incurring all the danger no real good had been done, Fred motioned to Sam, and left the store.
The streets of the village presented an unusual appearance. Nearly every house was open and lighted as if for a general illumination, while the sidewalks were crowded with throngs of excited women and children.
"This would be a good time for Skip to pay you off," Sam said, as they walked swiftly along. "While so much is goin' on they could do pretty near as they pleased without fear of being stopped."
"What he might do seems to be of little consequence compared with the danger which threatens the poor fellows at the mine. If the lower level should be flooded while they were guarding the drift there's every chance all would be drowned."