"Not at my expense he won't."
"Very well; then let it be at my own. But I shall see to it that you do not get another contract in the Cousin Jack Mine after you have finished with this one. I shall have something to say to you later, also, about this accident."
"Oh, of course I'll pay him if that's the way you feel about it. I'll pay him."
"I thought you would," answered the superintendent dryly.
In the meantime the powder-man had been conveyed to the surface and removed to the hospital in the superintendent's carriage, the driver having received orders to return at once.
"Do you feel able to walk, Rush?" questioned the executive.
"Ye—yes, sir; I—I think so, sir."
"I'll help him," spoke up Bob Jarvis quickly.
"Yes; help him to the cage and go up with him."
Steve found that he was weaker than he thought, but leaning on Bob's strong arm he made his way to the lower level, where the lads caught the cage a few moments later and were conveyed to the surface.