“But you haven’t told it all,” exclaimed Rob, who had just comprehended something. “Boys, that weight that fell on us was Mr. Raynor’s body. He just shoved us in front of him and shielded us with his own body. He saved our lives.”
“That’s what I call being a real hero,” cried Fred.
“Three cheers and a tiger for Mr. Raynor!” yelled Merritt.
“Pshaw! You drop that now!” protested the engineer. “I just fell on you because I couldn’t help it, I reckon.”
“We know better than that, don’t we, fellows?” cried Rob.
“You bet we do,” was the response given with deep conviction and unanimity.
“Well, say no more about it,” begged the engineer. “I promised to take good care of you and I was almost responsible for getting you injured, so I guess we’re quits.”
As Mr. Raynor had to visit other parts of the workings, and also to take samples of the earth blown up by Ram’s unlucky blast, the boys bade him good-bye soon after.
“Well, so long,” he said. “I hope you’ll drop in and see me some time if you are going to be about here long. I may have something else interesting to show you.”
The boys said they would. Then up came Ram Chunda, grinning like a monkey.