"I believe Rush has attended to that. In fact, he did that some time ago. He took matters into his own hands, and we were very willing to have him do so, for the men were crazed with fear."
Just then a man rushed into the level where Mr. Penton and the foreman were standing. This man was bare to the waist, his skin so blackened with smoke as to render him almost unrecognizable.
"Who is that?" demanded the superintendent sharply.
"That's Rush."
Steve had not observed Mr. Penton.
"I want ten volunteers to go with me to the other side of the mine. It will be hot in there, but we've got to look after the men in that section. Some of them, no doubt, are imprisoned in drifts that have caved in, and——"
"Steve!"
Mr. Penton strode forward with outstretched hand.
"Steve, my boy, come here."
The Iron Boy sprang forward, grasped Mr. Penton's hand, then turned sharply to the men.