Cavard took the chair. At that moment several men swooped down toward the place where the boys were sitting.
Bob Jarvis was so amazed that for a moment he did not speak.
"What are you going to do, Steve?" he stammered.
"I am going to accept," announced the lad in a determined tone.
"You—you are going to join the union?"
"Yes; I am going to join the union. I would suggest that you do the same. I have changed my mind, old chap, and I'll tell you why later."
The miners grabbed Steve, hoisted him to their shoulders and bore him to the platform, where they set him down in a chair at the table placed for the secretary.