"I—I can't. The smoke will strangle me."
"Haul up that cage, you coward!" roared Rush, giving the man a shove that sent him staggering toward the shaft. The fellow was about to turn back when he saw Steve striding quickly after him. Then he dived into the dense smoke, answered the signal and began hauling up the cage. Rush followed him, dipping his own handkerchief into a pail of water as he passed.
"Stuff the handkerchief into your mouth. Get somebody to keep you supplied with wet cloths."
The cage came to a rattling stop and a dozen black-faced miners staggered out into the open.
Steve dragged them out into the fresh air.
"What's happened down there? Tell me quick!" he demanded.
"It's a roaring furnace! The whole mine's afire," gasped the man.
"Are there any alive to come up in the cage?"
"N-n-n-no."
"Send the cage down!" commanded Rush, dashing to the mouth of the shaft. "Watch sharp for signals. Stand by your post unless you want to be thrown in. Be a man! This is no place for cowards. Where's the superintendent?"