CHAPTER III
TWO THOUSAND FEET UNDER GROUND
JARVIS sprang forward and with shovel in hand began throwing the dirt in all directions.
"If you don't mind, please don't pile any more of this red stuff on my head than you can help. I have plenty as it is," said Steve.
"That's so; I was throwing it your way, wasn't I?" chuckled Bob, laughing good-naturedly.
Steve found time to study the other boy while the latter was digging him out. In spite of Jarvis' meanness to him, Rush felt certain that the lad possessed a good heart, and it was a strong, resourceful face that Steve found himself studying as the digging progressed.
"Bob," he said finally, "have you ever been thrashed?"
"Thrashed? Licked, you mean?"
"Yes."