The Iron Boys as Foremen; or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift

  CHAPTER IV

  MYSTERY IN THE AIR

  "RUSH, I owe you an apology. Had we listened to you, the company wouldhave saved several thousands of dollars in damages that they will nowhave to pay," said the superintendent.

  This conversation took place on the day following the accident insection twenty-four L. It had been a serious affair. The entire dome ofthe drift had caved in, starting from a crack in the rocks which theIron Boy had pronounced dangerous. At the time of the cave-in, thedrill-man had been operating the diamond drill. The vibration hadloosened the rocks and the whole roof had collapsed. The drill-man andhis assistant had been killed, and nearly every other man in the driftat the time had been injured.

  The unfortunate miners were quickly dug out, Steve Rush working in thedangerous drift at the imminent risk of losing his own life, with rockand ore showering about him almost every second of the time. For a timeit was feared that the whole length of the tunnel would cave in, butunder the direction of the superintendent fresh pillars and lagging werequickly set in place, saving the mine from more serious disaster.

  "I am afraid," continued Mr. Penton, "that the mine captain in the RedRock will be reduced to the ranks, or dropped altogether as the resultof this. It is a matter that the president will have to decide."

  "I am sorry, sir, if I have been the cause of trouble for him."

  "Cause? Why, if he had followed your advice the disaster would not haveoccurred. I have made a report of the entire matter, giving you fullcredit. I also want to ask if you have inspected the other drifts inyour shift."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Do you consider them safe?"

  "Yes, sir. Of course, a crack is likely to develop at any time."

  "I know that. But you must keep close watch on them. I have had everyforeman make a careful inspection and report on the condition of thevarious works. Each foreman, hereafter, is to be held personallyresponsible for the safety of his works, so far as man can guard againstaccidents."

  "I am glad of that, sir."

  "At the same time I wish to congratulate you on the increased productionof your section. It is an object lesson for the rest of the mine. Idon't imagine the other foremen are pleased with the pace you have setfor them."

  The end of the noon hour was at hand, so Rush hurried back and descendedin the cage to the level where he was to work. Later in the afternoon heand Bob Jarvis met, their sections adjoining, thus enabling them to havefrequent conversations during the day.

  For a time they discussed the accident of the previous day, Steve givinghis companion advice about watching the condition of the drifts.

  "This is a dangerous mine at best, and I shouldn't be surprised if wehad a really serious accident one of these days," said Steve.

  "It strikes me that we have had one already," replied Bob.

  "Yes, it was bad enough. I am not an engineer, but I have eyes. In thefirst place, look at the woodwork down here. Why, it's as dry as powder.It is different from the Cousin Jack Mine, where everything is damp orwet. Just look at these piles of chips and shavings. I am surprised thatthe officers of the company will stand for such a condition of affairs."

  "It's an old mine," suggested Bob.

  "Yes, that is it. The mine has been worked for twenty years and it willsoon be abandoned. I presume for that reason they do not wish to spendany more money on it than is actually necessary. The roofs of the levelsare pretty well shored up, but they are all settling. You can see thatwithout half looking."

  "I hope we won't have any trouble while we are working here," said Bobthoughtfully.

  "So do I. It is a hazardous calling that you and I have chosen, old man.Between cave-ins, dynamite explosions, falling cages and other troubleswe shall have to keep our eyes open."

  "Yes, and we have got a bad lot of men about us," added Jarvis.

  "The foreigners, you mean?"

  Bob nodded.

  "Yes, they are a choice lot of anarchists," continued Steve. "Many ofthem have leanings in that direction. Between the Finns, the Huns andthe Italians the company has its hands full."

  "It is a pity they do not clean out that crowd. These fellows will causetrouble some time."

  "That is what I think. And, between you and me, Bob, something is goingon in these mines."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Something is doing----"

  "I hadn't noticed it."

  "Haven't you seen the men talking in little groups, especially at thenoon hour?"

  "Yes, I have seen that."

  "And have you noticed that, when a white man approaches, they quicklydisperse?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, what does that mean?"

  "I will confess that I hadn't attached any special significance to it,but, now that you speak of it, it does seem strange."

  "That is the way the matter strikes me. It is none of our business, andyet it is. Some of our men are in the scheme, whatever it may be."

  "Are you going to tell Mr. Penton?"

  "No, not now," replied Rush after brief reflection. "He will tire of ourrunning to him with every little thing. Besides, I give thesuperintendent credit for at least ordinary shrewdness. He undoubtedlyknows what is going on just as well as we do, and perhaps a great dealbetter."

  "What do you think they are planning, if anything?"

  "It is a mystery to me, Bob, but I am going to find out. I have a rightto do that so far as my own men are concerned, and so have you. It isour duty to know what is going on in our own sections."

  "Then why don't you ask the men outright?" demanded Jarvis.

  "That would be a foolish thing to do. By letting them think we have nosuspicions we shall learn what they are planning sooner or later. Youdon't suppose they would tell me if I were to ask them, do you?"

  "No, I guess that's so."

  "Then keep your eyes open and I will do the same. When we get anythingdefinite, perhaps we will go to Mr. Penton with it."

  "Is the plotting, or whatever it is, going on over in the Cousin Jack,too?"

  "I think so. I noticed it when I was over there two days ago. It iscurious to me that the mining captains are not wise by this time."

  "This one never would discover anything. Are they going to keep him?"

  "I do not know," answered Steve. "Naturally I have not asked. I am inrather a delicate position, in view of the fact that I got the captaininto this difficulty."

  Bob nodded thoughtfully.

  "Well, I must get back to my work. I think it is safe to say thatnothing will occur yet a while, and perhaps not at all. But we shall beon the job when it does, old man."

  Waving their hands in parting salute, the young foremen turned andwalked away to attend to their duties. But, though they did notapprehend any immediate trouble, they were destined, within the next fewdays, to meet with the most thrilling experiences of theirlives--experiences that they would never forget.