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diff --git a/38994-h/38994-h.htm b/38994-h/38994-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..377ebe6 --- /dev/null +++ b/38994-h/38994-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10159 @@ + + +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Iron Boys as Foremen, by James R. 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Mears + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Iron Boys as Foremen + or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift + +Author: James R. Mears + +Release Date: February 27, 2012 [EBook #38994] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, +Ernest Schaal, and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 440px;"> <img class="border" src="images/iron2cover.jpg" width="440" height="700" alt="The +Iron Boys +as Foremen + +by James R. Mears" title="The +Iron Boys +as Foremen + +by James R. Mears" /> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 453px;"> <img class="border" src="images/iron2pic1.png" width="453" height="700" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">Rush Pointed to a Seam in the Rocks Overhead.</p> + +<p class="indent"><i>Frontispiece.</i></p> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h2>The Iron Boys as<br /> +Foremen</h2> + +<p class="center">OR</p> + +<p class="h2a">Heading the Diamond Drill Shift</p> + +<p class="center">By</p> + +<p class="h2a">JAMES R. MEARS</p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">Author of The Iron Boys in the Mines, The Iron Boys</p> + +<p class="cnotmargin">on the Ore Boats, etc.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="h3">Illustrated</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">P H I L A D E L P H I A</p> + +<p class="cnotmargin">HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1912, by</span></p> + +<p class="cnotmargin"><span class="smcap">Howard E. Altemus</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p class="margin-left8">CHAPTER <span class="ralign">PAGE</span></p> + +<ul class="TOCU"> + +<li> I. <span class="smcap">The Tragedy in the Shaft</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#I">7</a></span></li> + +<li> II. <span class="smcap">An Unexpected Promotion</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#II">21</a></span></li> + +<li> III. <span class="smcap">Steve Shows the Iron Hand</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#III">31</a></span></li> + +<li> IV. <span class="smcap">Mystery in the Air</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#IV">40</a></span></li> + +<li> V. "<span class="smcap">The Mine is on Fire</span>" <span class="ralign"><a href="#V">46</a></span></li> + +<li> VI. <span class="smcap">Through Tunnels of Flame</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#VI">57</a></span></li> + +<li> VII. <span class="smcap">The Iron Boys Win</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#VII">67</a></span></li> + +<li> VIII. <span class="smcap">Beginning to Understand</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#VIII">78</a></span></li> + +<li> IX. <span class="smcap">The Labor Leader's Lure</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#IX">91</a></span></li> + +<li> X. <span class="smcap">The Gentleman in the Woodpile</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#X">99</a></span></li> + +<li> XI. <span class="smcap">Rush Scores Heavily</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XI">109</a></span></li> + +<li> XII. <span class="smcap">Miners Meet in Secret</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XII">119</a></span></li> + +<li> XIII. <span class="smcap">Steve's Suspicions Aroused</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XIII">127</a></span></li> + +<li> XIV. <span class="smcap">Miners Make Demands</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XIV">138</a></span></li> + +<li> XV. <span class="smcap">A Warning Not Heeded</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XV">145</a></span></li> + +<li> XVI. <span class="smcap">The Vengeance of the Mob</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XVI">155</a></span></li> + +<li> XVII. <span class="smcap">Facing Their Assailants</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XVII">170</a></span></li> + +<li> XVIII. <span class="smcap">Promoted by the President</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XVIII">177</a></span></li> + +<li> XIX. <span class="smcap">A Cowardly Blow</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XIX">186</a></span></li> + +<li> XX. <span class="smcap">Lamb Chops for the Baby</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XX">194</a></span></li> + +<li> XXI. <span class="smcap">The Icelander on the Trail</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XXI">209</a></span></li> + +<li> XXII. <span class="smcap">The Battle of the Giants</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XXII">217</a></span></li> + +<li> XXIII. <span class="smcap">The Hero of the Bridge</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XXIII">228</a></span></li> + +<li> XXIV. <span class="smcap">Conclusion</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#XXIV">246</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span></p> + +<h1>The Iron Boys as Foremen</h1> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE TRAGEDY IN THE SHAFT</p> + +<p class="indent">"WHERE'S the cage?" asked Steve +Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess it's waiting for a load +at the surface," answered Bob Jarvis, listening +at the shaft opening. "I don't hear it coming."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ring it down, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">Young Jarvis gave the bell lever a pull. A +second later the gong on that level rang sharply. +A rush of air told them the steel cage was on +its way down to the fifteenth level, where the +young men were awaiting it. With a noisy clatter +the cage came to a stop at the opening on +that level; the iron guard bars fell back with +a bang.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All aboard," said Steve, standing aside that +the five other men, all miners, waiting to be +conveyed to the surface might step into the +damp cage.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> +"You first," bowed Jarvis with mock politeness, +waving Steve in ahead of him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Give them the signal, Bob," ordered Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang! Five +strokes rang out on the gong at the top of the +shaft leading down into the mine, indicating +to the cage-tender of the Red Rock Mine that +his cage was coming up with a load of human +freight. In other words, there were men on +the cage, hence the steel elevator was to be raised +with care.</p> + +<p class="indent">Slowly, but steadily, gaining in speed as it +ascended, lighted only by the faint glimmer of +the tallow candles on the oilskin hats of the occupants, +the cage rose toward the surface.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis had been inspecting +the tracks in the Red Rock Mine and were +now on their way to the surface for the purpose +of going down in the Cousin Jack Mine, there +to continue their work of inspection. A few +seconds had passed when the cage began to sway +from side to side.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve instinctively reached up and took hold +of the safety rod that extended across the top +of the cage.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hang on, Bob! We're going altogether too +fast for comfort," warned Rush. "What ails +that engineer up there? It looks as though he +were trying to give us a shaking up."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> +"I'll shake him up when I get to the top," +answered Bob with a growl, as he grasped the +rod over his head for support.</p> + +<p class="indent">The others on the car, all foreigners, were +standing stolidly, not appearing to care one way +or the other what happened. They were too +used to riding up and down in the cage to and +from their daily work to be greatly disturbed +by the rough ride they were now taking.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve, however, knew full well that they were +riding altogether too fast for safety. He was +not afraid; his nerves were too steady for that. +Nor was his companion, Bob Jarvis, the least +bit worried, but he was growling at the cage-tender +far above them for his roughness.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly there came a sound that startled all +hands. It was a quick, crunching, grinding +sound, followed by crash after crash of metal +meeting metal.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hold fast," shouted Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's happened, Steve?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The car's off the track! Look out everybody! +We're in for trouble now."</p> + +<p class="indent">No sooner had he spoken than the steel floor +beneath their feet seemed to slip suddenly +from under them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"She's turning turtle!" cried Steve. "Hold +fast!"</p> + +<p class="indent">His warning had come too late. The miners +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> +had been thrown from their feet to the floor +of the cage. With quick instinct Steve; gripping +the iron bar over his head, stretched his +legs down full length. Bob's grip had been +wrenched from the safety bar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Grab my feet, Bob!" Steve shouted at the +top of his voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob Jarvis was a quick-witted boy as well. +He fastened a firm grip on the ankles of his +companion just as the floor of the cage began +slipping from under him.</p> + +<p class="indent">By this time the stolid foreigners were fully +awake to the peril that confronted them. With +cries that neither lad ever forgot, the men +slipped from the cage that had turned turtle, +plunging into the dark abyss, that quickly swallowed +them up. There was one of the five +miners, however, more quick of wit than his +companions, who had also fastened to Steve's +ankles. He and Bob Jarvis found themselves +dangling in space while Steve, clinging to the +iron cross bar above, was holding them up.</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men were very much in each other's +way, and the miner was fighting desperately to +push Jarvis away down into the shaft.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quit that, you cowardly cur!" commanded +the lad. "You'll have the three of us down +if you don't look sharp. Steve, are you all +right?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> +"Yes, but be careful down there. Whom have +you with you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. He's a heathen—that's all +I know about it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Me—me Dominick. Me——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you're the loafer who tried to knife Steve +that time when he saved you from being blown +to the moon by dynamite? I ought to drop you, +and I'll do it as sure as my name's Bob Jarvis +if you don't stop your fighting. Steve, can you +hold us?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid not for long," answered the +plucky lad, who was supporting the two men +by the sheer strength of his arms. "My arms +are aching like a sore tooth, but I'll hold on till +they come off. Don't make any more disturbance +down there than you can help."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob groaned.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll never make it. You can't hold on +and bear our weight."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's arms were growing numb. Fortunately +he was possessed of great strength, and +his present position was something like that of +a bar performer's when about to attempt a giant +swing. Had it not been for the great weight +that he was supporting Steve could have held +on indefinitely. As it was, he could not hope to +cling to the bar much longer. The lad's mind +was working rapidly. He was trying to plan +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> +some way out of the predicament, some way +that would save the lives of all three.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Steve!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We can't all be saved. It's out of the question."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hang on, old boy! They will send us help +soon," answered Rush in an encouraging tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"They can't send help in time to save us. I've +a proposition to make."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dominick and I must let go, that's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will do nothing of the sort!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We must. It is the only way to save you. +If we don't, the three of us are lost. You can't +hold both of us."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve laughed harshly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think you will have difficulty in convincing +Dominick that he must let go. He'll never let +go as long as he has my feet to hang to."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll show you whether he will or not. +I'll——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bob!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's tone was sharp and commanding.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hang on, both of you! I, too, have a plan +to suggest. I don't know whether we can get +away with it or not, but we will try. You +must move very carefully, for I am getting +tired."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> +"What's your plan?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One of you climb up my body. I can't help +you. You will have to accomplish it the best +way you can. If you can get up beside me on +the bar here, you ought to be able to hold on. +It is our only hope. Otherwise we shall be +dashed to death at the bottom of the shaft."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll try it. Dominick, do you understand?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Me understand."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then see that you do as you are told. You +go first. Tell him what to do, Steve."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Climb very carefully. Don't hurry or make +any sudden moves. If you do, you will jerk +me loose from the bar here. Be as quick as you +can without fumbling. Dominick, you swing +to my left leg, Bob holding to the other. Be +careful that you don't drop off when you make +the change. There, that's a relief," added Steve +when they had made the change as directed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are ready," announced Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come along, Dominick. That's right; you +are doing well. When you get up a little further +hook one hand into my belt and rest a minute. +You will be all right in a few minutes. Gracious, +my arms are getting tired!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The Italian had begun to climb up the Iron +Boy's leg, creeping inch by inch, breathing hard, +the man's eyes fairly starting from his head in +his terrible fear of the death that he knew +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> +awaited him a thousand feet below. All the time +Steve's calm, steady voice was encouraging the +man, directing him and urging him on to renewed +efforts.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hurry up," called Jarvis. "I'll be letting +go myself, first thing you fellows know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There you are. Grab the bar," commanded +Steve sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">With an exclamation that was almost a shout +of joy, the Italian fastened both hands over the +iron bar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can you hang on there for a few minutes?" +questioned Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Me hang—me hold fast."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's right. I will relieve you in a minute. +Now, Bob, it is your turn. Can you climb up +here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Watch me. Can you hold on, Steve?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"All the rest of the day. You are a featherweight +compared with the weight I have been +holding up. But hurry."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jarvis began to climb, moving cautiously, +throwing as little strain on the arms of Steve +Rush as was possible under the circumstances.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're doing well. Come along," urged +Steve. "This is like building a human pyramid +the way we used to do it at high school. Have +you got the bar?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Right you are. Hooray!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> +Steve Rush breathed a deep sigh of relief. +He knew that he could have held on but a few +minutes longer. His arms were at the point of +giving out when the Italian had begun to climb. +But now he felt that they were all safe for the +moment, though there was only a slender iron +bar between them and destruction at the bottom +of the shaft.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, what are we going to do—hang here +all the rest of the day?" demanded Bob Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; we shall not be able to do that. I'm +going to save Dominick if you will help me. +Both of you move over as close to the ends of +the bar as possible; then I will tell you what I +want to do."</p> + +<p class="indent">Dominick and Bob did as directed, edging +along the iron bar inch by inch. Steve's candle +was burning dimly, the others having gone out; +but the single candle lighted up the scene so that +they could see what they were about.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now listen to what I have to say," directed +Rush with as much calmness as if he were managing +a piece of work above ground.</p> + +<p class="indent">In Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis the reader has +no doubt ere this recognized the Iron Boys, the +lads who, as told in "<span class="smcap">The Iron Boys in the +Mines</span>," began their career in the industrial +world by joining the army of workers underground, +deep down in the Cousin Jack Iron +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> +Mine. It will be recalled how the friendship +of the two sturdy boys began with their battle +in the lonely drift, where Steve, though of somewhat +slighter build than the other, not only held +his own, but gave Bob Jarvis the roughest +handling he had ever received. Almost from +the beginning the lads had attracted the attention +of their superiors by their attention to +duty, their intelligent work and their honesty. +It will be remembered how Steve and Bob invented +a new gravity system for the mine, by +which many thousands of dollars were saved for +the mining company; how the lads saved the +officials of the company from being blown up by +dynamite and how in the end they were rewarded +by the officers for their bravery.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush and Jarvis were still inspectors of the +trackage in the mine. The second mine of the +group had been added, so that now they were +in charge of the tracks in both the Cousin Jack +and the Red Rock Mines. Beyond this there +had been a rumor that the Iron Boys were to receive +further promotions. A clerk in the office +had whispered this to the boarding-house boss +where the boys lived. As yet the boys knew +nothing of the proposed promotion, and they +never would know unless they were quickly rescued +from the desperate situation into which +they had been so suddenly plunged.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> +"What is your plan now?" questioned Jarvis. +"I am listening."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want you to stay where you are, both of +you, for I shall shake the cage up a bit."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve began swaying his body back and forth +as if he were in reality about to essay the giant +swing. All at once he curled his legs up and +over the bar. There he hung for a moment, +then by sheer strength swung himself up astride +the bar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, that's a stunt for certain," cried Bob, +for the moment lost in admiration of the feat he +had just witnessed. "I'd like to see a circus +performer beat that, especially if he were hanging +over a thousand feet of nothingness, with +a couple of clumsy louts trying to pull him +down."</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is better," announced Rush, with a +mirthless grin.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, it must be fine, but what now? My +arms will be giving out pretty soon, and I +shouldn't be surprised if Dominick were getting +uneasy. How about it, Dominick?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Me all right," answered the Italian stolidly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Move over here, Bob. Dominick, you stay +where you are. I will take care of you in a moment. +Now curl up your feet as you saw me do, +Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I couldn't do that to save my life."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> +"You will have to, if you expect to save it. +I know of no other way. Wait, I'll help you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve leaned over, and, holding to the bar +with one hand, reached down, grabbing Bob +under one knee.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hold fast! There you come."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jarvis threw all his strength into the effort, +and after some clumsy moves landed unsteadily +beside Steve Rush on the iron bar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whew! I'd never have made it if it hadn't +been for you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, Dominick; we will have you up here +now," said Rush, with a laugh that was intended +to encourage his companions. "This is just exercise. +No need to feel disturbed about it in +the least. Bob, you grab one leg and I will take +hold of the other. We will have him right side +up in no time at all."</p> + +<p class="indent">Dominick let out a yell as he felt himself being +torn loose from the bar. The Italian floundered. +Bob's grip slipped and Dominick dropped head +downward.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's gone! Oh, what a fool I am!" groaned +Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">But the Italian had not gone. Steve Rush +had twisted his own legs about the bar, allowing +himself to turn over until he was hanging head +downward, both hands gripping one foot of the +man Dominick. The latter was howling lustily.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> +"Get hold of us, Bob," cried Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">Jarvis, suddenly recalled to his duty, began +edging along the rod until he had reached a +point where he was able to hold the Italian +until Steve righted himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was a hard struggle, but after a few minutes +the two boys succeeded in rescuing their +companion and placing him beside them on the +iron bar. Dominick was trembling from head +to foot. He was so unnerved from his narrow +escape that for some moments he could not +speak.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Brace up!" commanded Steve, slapping the +man sharply on the cheek.</p> + +<p class="indent">This brought the Italian around almost instantly. +He began chattering angrily in his own +language, and in his anger at the blow would +have struck Steve had he dared to take his hands +from the slender support long enough to do so.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush laughed at him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't lose your temper, Dominick. I was +only trying to brace you up. You are all right +now. Hang on until I get some of these guard +bars free. I'll have a support for all of us in +a moment. Sit perfectly still or you may jar +me off, even though you do not fall off yourself."</p> + +<p class="indent">For the next few minutes the Iron Boy busied +himself wrenching loose the bars that fitted into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> +the opening of the cage to prevent the passengers +from falling out. These he laid across the +bottom, securing them to the flanges of the cage. +They fitted snugly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There," announced Steve, after completing +his task. "This will be just as good as a solid +floor so long as neither of you moves about too +much and displaces them. Get over there, +Dominick. Now we are all right! They can +haul us up just as soon as they want to. I, for +one, shouldn't mind feeling something solid underneath +me for a change."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No such luck!" growled Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">A slight jolt cut short their talk. The lads +listened, but heard nothing.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Something has gone wrong with the machinery," +said Steve in a low tone. "I shouldn't +be surprised if we had to stay here for a long +time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, the cage is moving!" cried Bob excitedly. +"Hooray, we're saved!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not yet," answered Steve, as the cage came +to a jarring stop after having moved upward a +few inches.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<p class="h2a">AN UNEXPECTED PROMOTION</p> + +<p class="indent">THE hours dragged wearily along, the +cage resting motionless, save for an occasional +jolt, in the dark shaft. Long +ago Steve Rush's candle had burned out, the +hot grease dripping down over his hat brim.</p> + +<p class="indent">All at once, without the usual jarring warning, +the cage began to move slowly upward. Being +off the track, it bumped along not unlike a handcar +running on the ties of a railroad, banging +from side to side of the shaft, threatening every +instant to precipitate the three men to the bottom.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hang on, fellows!" cried Steve. "Watch +out that those guard rails do not jar loose. Keep +your hands on the ends, and at the first sign of +trouble get over on the iron rod."</p> + +<p class="indent">The others did as he directed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You've got the only real head in the mines," +grumbled Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush did not answer. He was too busy looking +out for their safety to indulge in further +conversation. It was the longest and roughest +ride that any one of those three men ever had +experienced, and the way up through the shaft +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> +seemed many miles. At last a faint light filtered +down about the cage.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are getting near the top," announced +Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve nodded, but did not reply. The light +grew stronger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sit steady," warned Rush. "Do not attempt +to leave the cage until I tell you, unless you want +to get a dandy tumble."</p> + +<p class="indent">Just then the cage was drawn out into the full +daylight, where it stopped. They heard excited +voices about them, then a face peered up under +the edge of the cage.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, out there!" called Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There are men in the cage. They're alive!" +cried a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; help us out," ordered Rush in a matter-of-fact +tone. "Our quarters are somewhat +cramped."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Shove some planking over the shaft," commanded +a voice that the boys recognized as belonging +to Superintendent Penton. "Be quick +about it. Hello, in there!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, sir," replied Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who are you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am Steve Rush."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you alone?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; Bob Jarvis and Dominick are with me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I might have known it. Heaven be praised +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> +that you are safe. How many men were on the +car?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Four besides ourselves."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did they fall?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; you will find them at the bottom of +the shaft," answered the boy sadly.</p> + +<p class="indent">The shouting without quickly died away. +Planks were cast over the shaft opening, forming +a platform on which the men might drop.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Lower the cage a little," ordered the superintendent.</p> + +<p class="indent">This was done. Steve was the first to leap +down to the platform, followed quickly by Bob +Jarvis, then by the Italian. The moment Dominick +felt the solid planking underneath his feet, +he uttered a yell and started on a run for home. +Mr. Penton shouted to him to halt, but Dominick +seemed deaf to all outward sounds. He was +hurrying home to tell his wife of his hairbreadth +escape from death.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the meantime Mr. Penton had sprung +forward, grasping the hands of the Iron Boys, +which he wrung heartily, the tears almost blinding +his sight, for he had grown to be very fond +of these two manly young fellows.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I beg your pardon, sir," said Steve, "but +have you had those poor fellows who fell in +looked up?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have just sent a rescue party to the lower +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> +level to look for them. I had not been here ten +minutes when you came up. Nothing was being +done. Everyone seemed to have lost his +head——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One man didn't," interrupted Bob Jarvis +grimly. "Steve Rush didn't, or three of us +would have been down there now, smashed +flat."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You two may go home, if you wish."</p> + +<p class="indent">"For what, sir?" asked Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your nerves no doubt are a little shaken, +and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Our nerves are all right, sir. Besides, we +may be needed here. I think we had better go +down on one of the skips and see if we can be +of any service to the men who fell——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Just then the superintendent was called to the +telephone by the side of the shaft. He returned +after giving some brief directions.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's all over, boys," he said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have they found them?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. The men are dead. It could not have +been otherwise after that terrible fall. They +are sending the bodies up on a skip. I shall +be busy here for the next hour. If you will meet +me at my office, at the end of the hour, I shall +be there. I want to say something to you both. +I had intended seeing you some time to-day."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> +"Very well, sir," replied Steve. "I don't +know that I want to stay here, unless there is +something that I can do to help you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is nothing," replied Mr. Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys walked away, thoughtful and silent. +They had taken part in a grim tragedy, such as +was likely to happen at any time in the busy +mines. To-morrow it would be forgotten and +the work of burrowing under the earth would +go on just as though nothing out of the ordinary +had occurred.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was a close call," said Bob, glancing into +the thoughtful face of his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Poor fellows," he murmured. "Did they +leave families?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We will find out. Perhaps we may be able +to do something for them."</p> + +<p class="indent">Not long after the youths had reached the +office of the superintendent, Mr. Penton came in. +He shook hands with the boys again, after which +he called in the claim adjuster.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This affair will cost us something in damages," +Mr. Penton said. "But the company will +pay willingly. Will you two boys make a statement, +giving the adjuster all the facts?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly, sir," answered Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dominick will not get over his fright before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> +to-morrow, and even at that, his testimony +would not be of much value to us."</p> + +<p class="indent">After a stenographer had been summoned, +Steve related in a concise manner the story of +the accident to the cage, not neglecting to mention +the speed at which the car was traveling +when the cage turned turtle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you anything to add to that, Jarvis?" +asked Mr. Penton after Steve had concluded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not a word. I couldn't have told it better."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton did not smile. He regarded Rush +thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the clearest and most comprehensive +statement of an accident that I have ever listened +to, Steve. After it has been transcribed I shall +ask both of you to sign it."</p> + +<p class="indent">This the boys did, swearing to the truth of +the statement they had made. The claim adjuster +then thanked them and left the room. It +was a clear case against the company, for there +had been neglect on the part of some employé. +The accident would cost the company thousands +of dollars, but to the credit of the company +there was to be no effort to evade responsibility.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boys rose to leave.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sit down," said Mr. Penton, motioning them +back to their chairs. "As I told you over at the +shaft, I desire to talk with you. How long have +you been in the mines?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> +"I have been here a year. Jarvis has been +here a little longer than that," answered Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just so. In that time you two have proved +yourselves out. You have done well all that +has been given to you to do, and you have gone +somewhat beyond that, I may add," said Mr. +Penton, with a smile. "I want to ask you a +personal question."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is it your intention to remain in the mines +permanently?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve thought a moment before replying.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have thought that I should like to familiarize +myself with the entire iron and steel business. +After I have learned all I can in the +mines, I think I should like to go on—to go +further——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The mills, for instance——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob Jarvis nodded his approval of what +Steve had said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I rather thought so. While I shall not want +to lose you, you may rest assured that I shall +leave nothing undone to push you along. You +have a career before you, each of you. The keynote +of success in the industrial world is patriotism. +There is patriotism for flag and country +and there is another kind as well—patriotism +of achievement. It is this patriotism which accomplishes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page28" id="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> +great works in the industrial world. +Without it our great industries could not exist."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir; I feel it, sir," said Steve brightly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know that. I have known it for a long +time. It is such patriotism as yours that accomplishes +results in the world. The president +of the company is aware that you possess it. +I had a letter from him yesterday regarding you +boys."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton turned over the papers on his +desk. Selecting the letter he was in search of, +he read it, then laid the paper back on his desk.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Carrhart, the president, is deeply interested +in you. This letter is in reference to you, +making certain suggestions. Have you any idea +what they are?" laughed the superintendent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hope he isn't going to discharge us," interjected +Bob Jarvis whimsically.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not quite so bad as that," answered Mr. +Penton, laughing softly. "He does, however, request +me to relieve you of your present duties."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob's face fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But this is in order to give you something +better. I am ordered to promote you to the +grade of foremen. How does that strike you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Knocks me clear over," answered Jarvis +promptly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Promoted to the grade of foremen?" repeated +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> +Steve, scarcely able to believe that what +he had heard was not a mistake.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Something more than that. You are +to be general foremen—shift bosses. The ordinary +foreman, as you know, has charge of the +shift in one drift only. You boys will have several +drifts under your charge. You have had +sufficient experience so that I think you will +have no difficulty in handling the work. The +more ore you get out the better the company +will be satisfied. What the company wants is +results. The man who can give them results +is the man that the company wants to promote +to higher positions. You have done well in this +direction already. I shall expect you to continue +to advance."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are very kind. We shall do the best +we can, but it is a responsible position for a +boy," replied Steve thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"For a mere boy, yes. I look upon you two +lads as men. You have proved up to the mark, +and you have done the work, assuming the responsibilities +of full-grown men."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What pay do we get?" questioned Bob +Jarvis, with an eye to business.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is a business-like question. I was wondering +if you were going to ask that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I am, sir. I wish to know."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> +"I will tell you. You will receive, beginning +with the first of the coming week, one hundred +and twenty-five dollars each per month. You +should be able to lay up some money out of +that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed we shall," answered Steve. "It is +a fine salary, but I shall do my best to earn +it, as I know Bob will."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jarvis nodded more emphatically than ever.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<p class="h2a">STEVE SHOWS THE IRON HAND</p> + +<p class="indent">"TELL the mine captain that I wish to see +him," said Steve Rush to one of the +men working in his shift.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where is he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is what I am sending you to find out," +answered the young foreman, somewhat sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">The messenger hurried away, grumbling to +himself. While the Iron Boys were popular in +the mines, there had been no little grumbling +when it was learned that they had been promoted +over men who had spent many years in the mines. +Steve knew and understood this, but he knew +that he had done no one an injustice. He had +worked hard, and if his employers considered +that he was entitled to promotion that was his +own good fortune.</p> + +<p class="indent">"One seldom gets anything in this world unless +he works for it and earns it," was the lad's +wise conclusion on this particular morning, as +his keen eyes caught a disgruntled look on the +face of more than one man working under him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve, true to his name, was pushing the work +of his employers with his characteristic rushing +tactics. Upon taking up the new work he had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> +made a brief speech to each shift in his department.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men," he said, "I am younger than most of +you, but you may depend upon one thing. I +shall always treat you with absolute fairness +and do you justice. If at any time you think +such is not the case, tell me so, or go to the superintendent. +If I fail in my duty toward you, at +any time, it will be because I do not know +better, and under such circumstances I shall be +glad to be enlightened. However, the business +of the mining company comes first. Everything +must give way before that. Our sole business +in life, down here, is to get out iron ore. I am +satisfied that this drift has not been getting out +nearly as much as it should. I shall hereafter +expect at least two more tons a day than you +have been mining. If you find that you cannot +do it, you will have to give me a good excuse. +The ore is running soft. You'll never have +easier work than what is before you now. Take +some pride in your work. See if you can't beat +them all. If you break records I shall see to +it that those higher up are informed of it. That +is all I have to say."</p> + +<p class="indent">A similar speech was made by Rush to each +of the dozen drift crews under his command. +Either his words, or the manner in which he +spoke them took hold of the men, for the output +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page33" id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> +of the twelve drifts was increased by twelve tons +the first day.</p> + +<p class="indent">Superintendent Penton rubbed his eyes when +the report came in to him that night. He wondered +if a mistake had not been made. On +the report of the ore mined in Bob Jarvis' department +he found a substantial increase also, +though not within half a dozen tons of that +shown by Steve Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton said nothing, but decided to wait +until the week was over, when, if the increase +held up to the mark set, he would call the attention +of the Duluth officials to the gain. He +knew this would please Mr. Carrhart, for the +president had great confidence in Rush, and in +his rough and ready companion, Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">Both boys were stationed on the twentieth +level, far down in the earth in the Red Rock +Mine, to which they had been transferred with +their promotion. That morning Steve had been +making an inspection of the various drifts. It +was the first opportunity he had had to make a +thorough examination of them. In section +twenty-four L he had made a discovery that led +him to send for the mine captain at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Anything gone wrong?" demanded the mine +captain, strolling in half an hour later.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, but there is likely to be. Come in here. +I want to show you something."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> +Steve led the way into the drift, where the +diamond drills were banging away in a deafening +chorus. He motioned for the men to shut +off the drills; then, climbing up on the crumbling +ore that was being shoveled into the tram +cars, he held his candle up to the peak of the +dome-like drift.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you see that?" demanded Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't see anything very alarming."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush pointed to a seam in the rocks overhead. +The seam extended along through some three +feet of rock and ore. There was a narrow opening +or crack there into which the lad jabbed his +sharp-pointed candlestick.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now do you see what I am trying to show +you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pshaw! That's nothing. We always get +those cracks in back-stoping."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are not back-stoping now; we're drifting," +protested Steve. "That drift is dangerous."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No more so than any of them. This isn't a +kid's job; it's a man's job down in these +mines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am simply pointing it out to you, sir. At +the same time I want to ask your permission +either to abandon the drift until it can be shored +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page35" id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> +up, or to back-stope until we can get through to +solid rock."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Go on with your drifting. We can't stop +for a little thing like that, I tell you," answered +the mine captain, turning and starting away.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pull out your drills," commanded Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">The drill-men began to obey his command.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Shovelers and trammers knock off. Hand in +your time until I can see the superintendent and +get you in a new place."</p> + +<p class="indent">The mine captain came striding back. He had +overheard the orders of the young foreman, and +the captain's face reflected his anger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"See here, what are you doing?" he demanded +sternly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am closing this drift for the present."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I order your men back to work. What do +you mean by interfering with the work of this +shift?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I already have told you what I mean, sir. +I decline to risk the lives of the men in section +twenty-four L until it has been made safe."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get back to work, every man of you, unless +you want to be fired out of this mine!" commanded +the captain.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve raised a warning hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men, I am your foreman. You will obey me. +Mr. Mine Captain, you have no right to give +these men orders over my head. I have asked +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> +you for protection for them. You refuse to +give it. I am responsible for their safety, so all +work will stop in this drift, so far as I am concerned, +until you have made the drift safe."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll report you; I'll put another crew to +work. I'll——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"And I'll report you if you do. I have no +intention of being disrespectful, and I am willing +to take the responsibility for my act."</p> + +<p class="indent">With this Steve urged his men out of the drift. +The captain fumed, but he knew full well that +Steve was right in saying that he had no right +to order the men back to work.</p> + +<p class="indent">No sooner had the men of the regular shift +withdrawn and gone up to the surface, than the +mine captain gathered another crew and set them +to work in section twenty-four L, Steve in the +meantime having gone to another part of the +works. The captain did not want the daily output +to fall behind, for that would reflect on him. +The captain set the new shift at work, then went +away about his business, muttering his threats +against the young foreman.</p> + +<p class="indent">When Steve passed that way again his attention +was attracted by a light in the drift. +Somewhat surprised, he turned into section +twenty-four L to learn what was going on in +there. He found a new crew at work.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who sent you in here?" he demanded.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> +"The captain did," was the answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well; so long as he has done so it is +not for me to order you out. You do not belong +to my crew. But let me warn you, men. This +drift is not safe. Some or all of you are likely +to get hurt. I should advise against your working +here. I have sent my crew away and they +will not come into the drift until something has +been done to make it safe."</p> + +<p class="indent">The miners laughed and went on with their +work. The drill-men were boring in, making +openings for the dynamite sticks, while the trammers +were loading, taking their time at the work.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve turned away when he saw that the men +did not take his warning seriously. He made his +way to the telephone, where he called up Superintendent +Penton, acquainting him with conditions +in section twenty-four L.</p> + +<p class="indent">The superintendent said he would be down as +soon as he could get into his mine clothes. He +directed Steve to leave matters as they were +until he could look into the affair. At the same +time Mr. Penton warned Steve that these disagreements +between mine captain and foremen +were very bad for the discipline of the mine.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am willing to assume the full responsibility +for my act, sir," was the answer of the young +foreman, as he hung up the receiver and started +away, his lips shut tightly together, a look of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> +stubborn determination on his face. Steve was +ready to give or take.</p> + +<p class="indent">Shortly after that Mr. Penton arrived. He +looked up the mine captain first, and heard what +the latter had to say. Then the two men sought +out Steve Rush, whom they found directing the +work of one of his crews.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush, this is a bad piece of business. What +have you to say for yourself?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is nothing more to say, sir, so far +as I am concerned. It is for you to decide +whether I am in the right or the wrong."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say the drift is not safe for the men +to work in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The mine captain disagrees with you, and +you have had an argument with him before the +men. Rush, I am surprised at you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's face flushed a dull red, but he held his +head erect, looking the superintendent squarely +in the eyes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am willing to assume all the responsibility +for my act. One of the first lessons I learned +from you, sir, was to guard the lives of the men +as I would my own. I do not think there was +need for me to learn the lesson. I should have +done it anyway. The drift is in a dangerous +condition. No men under my charge shall work +there in its present condition. If you say they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> +are to do so I shall step down and out. I do +not want to feel, after an accident has occurred, +that I am responsible for the maiming of a lot +of men, not to mention the possible loss of life."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's what comes from giving a kid authority," +nodded the mine captain.</p> + +<p class="indent">The superintendent raised a restraining hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will have a look at the drift. You may +come with us, Rush."</p> + +<p class="indent">The three started away, Steve walking on +ahead, the superintendent and mine captain +bringing up the rear. They had gone something +more than half way through the cross-cut when +they saw a miner approaching them on the run. +Steve saw at once that something had gone +wrong.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's the matter?" he cried before the man +got up to him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Twenty-four L has caved in, burying the +whole crew!" panted the messenger. "There's +tons of red ore and rock on them. They're wiped +clean off the slate!"</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<p class="h2a">MYSTERY IN THE AIR</p> + +<p class="indent">"RUSH, I owe you an apology. Had we +listened to you, the company would +have saved several thousands of dollars +in damages that they will now have to pay," +said the superintendent.</p> + +<p class="indent">This conversation took place on the day following +the accident in section twenty-four L. +It had been a serious affair. The entire dome +of the drift had caved in, starting from a crack +in the rocks which the Iron Boy had pronounced +dangerous. At the time of the cave-in, the drill-man +had been operating the diamond drill. The +vibration had loosened the rocks and the whole +roof had collapsed. The drill-man and his assistant +had been killed, and nearly every other +man in the drift at the time had been injured.</p> + +<p class="indent">The unfortunate miners were quickly dug out, +Steve Rush working in the dangerous drift at +the imminent risk of losing his own life, with +rock and ore showering about him almost every +second of the time. For a time it was feared +that the whole length of the tunnel would cave +in, but under the direction of the superintendent +fresh pillars and lagging were quickly set in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> +place, saving the mine from more serious disaster.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid," continued Mr. Penton, "that +the mine captain in the Red Rock will be reduced +to the ranks, or dropped altogether as +the result of this. It is a matter that the president +will have to decide."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am sorry, sir, if I have been the cause of +trouble for him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cause? Why, if he had followed your advice +the disaster would not have occurred. I +have made a report of the entire matter, giving +you full credit. I also want to ask if you have +inspected the other drifts in your shift."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you consider them safe?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir. Of course, a crack is likely to develop +at any time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know that. But you must keep close watch +on them. I have had every foreman make a +careful inspection and report on the condition +of the various works. Each foreman, hereafter, +is to be held personally responsible for the +safety of his works, so far as man can guard +against accidents."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am glad of that, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"At the same time I wish to congratulate you +on the increased production of your section. It +is an object lesson for the rest of the mine. I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> +don't imagine the other foremen are pleased +with the pace you have set for them."</p> + +<p class="indent">The end of the noon hour was at hand, so Rush +hurried back and descended in the cage to the +level where he was to work. Later in the afternoon +he and Bob Jarvis met, their sections adjoining, +thus enabling them to have frequent +conversations during the day.</p> + +<p class="indent">For a time they discussed the accident of the +previous day, Steve giving his companion advice +about watching the condition of the drifts.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is a dangerous mine at best, and I +shouldn't be surprised if we had a really +serious accident one of these days," said Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It strikes me that we have had one already," +replied Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, it was bad enough. I am not an engineer, +but I have eyes. In the first 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 or wet. Just +look at these piles of chips and shavings. I am +surprised that the officers of the company will +stand for such a condition of affairs."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's an old mine," suggested Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, that is it. The mine has been worked +for twenty years and it will soon be abandoned. +I presume for that reason they do not wish +to spend any more money on it than is actually +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page43" id="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> +necessary. The roofs of the levels are pretty +well shored up, but they are all settling. You +can see that without half looking."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hope we won't have any trouble while we +are working here," said Bob thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"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 +troubles we shall have to keep our eyes open."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and we have got a bad lot of men +about us," added Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The foreigners, you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, they are a choice lot of anarchists," +continued Steve. "Many of them have leanings +in that direction. Between the Finns, the Huns +and the Italians the company has its hands full."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is a pity they do not clean out that crowd. +These fellows will cause trouble some time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is what I think. And, between you and +me, Bob, something is going on in these mines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Something is doing——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hadn't noticed it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Haven't you seen the men talking in little +groups, especially at the noon hour?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I have seen that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And have you noticed that, when a white +man approaches, they quickly disperse?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> +"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, what does that mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will confess that I hadn't attached any +special significance to it, but, now that you speak +of it, it does seem strange."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the way the matter strikes me. It +is none of our business, and yet it is. Some of +our men are in the scheme, whatever it may +be."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you going to tell Mr. Penton?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, not now," replied Rush after brief reflection. +"He will tire of our running to him +with every little thing. Besides, I give the +superintendent credit for at least ordinary +shrewdness. He undoubtedly knows what is +going on just as well as we do, and perhaps a +great deal better."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you think they are planning, if +anything?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is a mystery to me, Bob, but I am going +to find out. I have a right to do that so far +as my own men are concerned, and so have you. +It is our duty to know what is going on in our +own sections."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then why don't you ask the men outright?" +demanded Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That would be a foolish thing to do. By +letting them think we have no suspicions we +shall learn what they are planning sooner or +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page45" id="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> +later. You don't suppose they would tell me if +I were to ask them, do you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, I guess that's so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then keep your eyes open and I will do +the same. When we get anything definite, perhaps +we will go to Mr. Penton with it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is the plotting, or whatever it is, going on +over in the Cousin Jack, too?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so. I noticed it when I was over +there two days ago. It is curious to me that +the mining captains are not wise by this time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"This one never would discover anything. +Are they going to keep him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know," answered Steve. "Naturally +I have not asked. I am in rather a delicate +position, in view of the fact that I got the captain +into this difficulty."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob nodded thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I must get back to my work. I think +it is safe to say that nothing will occur yet +a while, and perhaps not at all. But we shall +be on the job when it does, old man."</p> + +<p class="indent">Waving their hands in parting salute, the +young foremen turned and walked away to attend +to their duties. But, though they did not +apprehend any immediate trouble, they were +destined, within the next few days, to meet with +the most thrilling experiences of their lives—experiences +that they would never forget.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<p class="h2a">"THE MINE IS ON FIRE"</p> + +<p class="indent">THREE days had passed uneventfully, the +Iron Boys having kept up their record +for mining more ore than any other section +in either of the company's mines. How +they succeeded in doing so was a mystery to +Mr. Penton, for he failed to discover that the +boys were applying any new methods to the +operation of their drifts.</p> + +<p class="indent">At noon on the third day, when most of the +miners were eating their dinners in the mines, +the foremen and shift bosses having come to +the surface, Steve also had come up for the purpose +of going to his boarding place to get a +pair of boots.</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad ate a quick dinner at the boarding +house, then hurried back toward the shaft. Bob +had remained in the mines, and Steve hoped to +be down in time to have a chat with his friend +before the whistles blew for the resumption of +work at a quarter after one o'clock. The Iron +Boy was walking rapidly, when all of a sudden +just about an eighth of a mile from the Red +Rock shaft, he saw a wisp of smoke shoot up +from the main shaft.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> +Steve halted, fixing a keen glance on the dark +upper works of the towering shaft trestle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's curious," he muttered. "I am sure +I saw smoke there. Perhaps it came from the +engine house yonder. But, no; the wind is in +the opposite direction."</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad saw no further signs of smoke, so he +started on, half believing that he had been +wrong. He had gone but a short distance when +he halted suddenly, uttering an exclamation of +startled amazement at what he beheld.</p> + +<p class="indent">A huge column of black smoke burst from the +shaft, shooting high in the air. When far above +the top of the shaft the column opened up like +an umbrella, darkening the landscape, throwing +the base of the upper works into deep shadow.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There's been an explosion!" cried Steve. +"They'll all be lost down there!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad sprang forward, running with all +speed toward the mouth of the shaft. Ere he +had reached it, however, sparks were belching +from the mouth of the shaft. The smoke was +so dense, however, that the shaft was almost +hidden from view.</p> + +<p class="indent">Men were running toward the scene from all +directions, shouting and yelling. Steve was not +saying a word. As he ran his mind was actively +at work. He understood what was happening +underground. He did not know what the cause +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> +had been, though he believed there had been an +explosion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The mine's on fire! The mine's on fire!" +was the cry passed from mouth to mouth. Pandemonium +seemed to have broken loose. The +cage gong at the shaft entrance could be heard +through the heavy smoke, crashing out its plea +for help.</p> + +<p class="indent">The cage-tender was too excited to give the +signal any heed. He had run from the mouth +of the shaft, half suffocated by the smoke. Steve +dashed up to the man, grabbed him by the collar +and spun the fellow about.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get to work! There are men down in the +mine trying to get up. Start the cage!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I—I can't. The smoke will strangle me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Haul up that cage, you coward!" roared +Rush, giving the man a shove that sent him staggering +toward the shaft. The fellow was about +to turn back when he saw Steve striding quickly +after him. Then he dived into the dense smoke, +answered the signal and began hauling up the +cage. Rush followed him, dipping his own +handkerchief into a pail of water as he passed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stuff the handkerchief into your mouth. +Get somebody to keep you supplied with wet +cloths."</p> + +<p class="indent">The cage came to a rattling stop and a dozen +black-faced miners staggered out into the open.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> +Steve dragged them out into the fresh air.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's happened down there? Tell me +quick!" he demanded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's a roaring furnace! The whole mine's +afire," gasped the man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are there any alive to come up in the cage?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"N-n-n-no."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Send the cage down!" commanded Rush, +dashing to the mouth of the shaft. "Watch +sharp for signals. Stand by your post unless +you want to be thrown in. Be a man! This is +no place for cowards. Where's the superintendent?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I—I don't know."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve dashed out. A new idea had occurred +to him. He rubbed the smoke from his smarting +eyes as he emerged into the open. The lad +was so dizzy on account of the smoke from the +burning mine that he could scarcely keep his +feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">As soon as he was able to collect his senses +he glanced toward the shaft where the lumber +skip went down into the mine to carry the timber +for the bull gang, the timber used in shoring up +the levels to keep them from caving in.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was smoke there, too, but Rush noted +that it was not nearly so dense as in the main +shaft.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't believe there is much fire near that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> +shaft. I hope the men have been able to get +to that part of the mine."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boy started on a run for the +lumber skip.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where's your skip?" he demanded sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"On the first level."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Jerk it up here! Why aren't you bringing +up the men on it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I haven't had any orders to do so."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush restrained himself with difficulty. The +skip came up with a bound and the lad jumped +into it, bracing his feet on the narrow flooring, +grasping the shelving steel over his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Drop me to the twentieth. Let her go full +speed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You'll be killed," warned the skip-tender.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do as I tell you, and be quick about it, unless +you want to answer to me here and now. +I'll——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's words were cut short. The skip-tender +threw his throttle wide open. The skip +shot down at a frightful rate of speed. The +rapidity of his descent took the boy's breath +away. He gasped, opening his mouth wide to +fill his lungs with air. But he did not succeed +very well. He feared that he would fall from +the skip in his dizziness, there being no guards +to prevent his doing so. The front of the scoop-shaped +skip was not protected in any way, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> +the slightest slip would send the solitary passenger +to his death.</p> + +<p class="indent">The skip stopped with a jolt that hurled Steve +Rush forward on his face. He thought that was +to be the last of him. A moment later, however, +the brave lad discovered that the skip had +stopped at the twentieth level, and that he had +been thrown out into the level itself.</p> + +<p class="indent">Scrambling to his feet, the lad uttered a shout +to attract the attention of anyone who might +be near.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was no reply. Steve nearly strangled +from the smoke he had drawn into his lungs. +The drift was silent and deserted, the electric +lights gleaming dimly in the thick veil of smoke +that hung over everything.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wonder where they are?" breathed the +lad, keeping his lips tightly shut. "They must +be trying to work their way up by the ladders."</p> + +<p class="indent">Running to another part of the level, the Iron +Boy sprang up a ladder and once more uttered +a long-drawn shout.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello," came the answer. "Where are +you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Chute thirty-one."</p> + +<p class="indent">A man came running through the half darkness. +His face was so blackened from smoke +that Rush did not recognize him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is that you, Steve?" cried a familiar voice.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page52" id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> +"Yes—Bob, is that you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's left of me."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve gave his companion a mighty hug.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where are the men? Quick, tell me! We +must help them!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've been herding them on the lower level; +that is, all of them that I have been able to +find, but they are the craziest lot I ever saw. +The heathens won't listen to reason."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How bad is the fire—is the whole mine +going?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It strikes me that it is pretty well gone +already."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on! We've got our work cut out for +us," cried Steve, starting along the level at a +brisk trot. "You've shown great judgment in +getting the men below. Is there much water +down there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, not very much, but enough to keep them +from burning to death, I guess."</p> + +<p class="indent">The chums had gone but a short distance +when Rush caught the crackling sound of burning +timber. The smoke was becoming suffocating +and the boys were obliged to move with +more caution.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We can't get through there, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; this has started since I came through."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We shall have to go around through the +cross-cut. That isn't on fire, is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> +"I don't know. It was not when I was over +there last."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How many levels are on fire? Do you +know?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess most of them are. You see, the fire +works down through the wooden rises, then scattering, +sets the woodwork on each level ablaze."</p> + +<p class="indent">This gave Steve Rush a sudden idea.</p> + +<p class="indent">"They can't all be going. Get together a lot +of the men. We'll station two or three at each +rise with pails of water and the gangs ought +to be able to head off the fire when it comes +through."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's a good idea. I'm with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boys hurried away. They found +groups of excited men, so beside themselves with +fear that they were powerless to think or to act.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was obliged in some instances to handle +the men roughly—men much larger and stronger +than himself—in order to shake some courage +into their trembling bodies.</p> + +<p class="indent">Yet he did not blame them so much. It was +a scene calculated to shake the nerves of the +strongest men. The interior of the mine was +a roaring furnace; the flames were crackling +with a sinister sound, eating their way through +the dry timber. Now and then a dull, heavy +reverberation told where a drift or a level had +caved in under the weight of the rocks above it.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page54" id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> +In the meantime Rush had explained to the +men what he wanted done. The mine captain +was not in the mine and the men all seemed to +have lost their heads completely. After a time, +however, Steve succeeded in getting a number +of them to the point where he thought they would +be able to obey orders.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush headed the first shift and led the way +to a rise on a level that had not been attacked +by the flames. Stationing a squad there, he +went on to other levels, and other rises, arranging +his forces in the same manner.</p> + +<p class="indent">While he was doing this, Bob Jarvis was performing +a similar service. The boys had no +thought, apparently, for their own safety. They +were working to save the company's property, +and at the same time to make it possible for +the men still in the mine to live. By this time +the smoke had become so thick in the lumber +shaft that it was impossible for anyone either +to get up or down. The skips and the cage had +stopped running altogether.</p> + +<p class="indent">One of the foremen in the mines had been +stationed at the only telephone that was working, +where Steve directed him to keep the superintendent +informed of the progress of the fire +and of the work that was being done to check it. +At the same time the Iron Boy was calmly +demanding orders from his superior.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> +"Tell Rush I have no orders to give. What +he cannot think of is beyond me," was the answer +sent back to the mine from Mr. Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">No one knew how many lives had been lost, +though everyone believed that a great disaster +had overtaken the miners in the Red Rock Mine. +This was true. Many had been cut off by the +caving in of the roofs of the levels and drifts, +while others, having been overcome by smoke, +had fallen unconscious, some never to rise again.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush, with his companion and a band +of courageous men, was now fighting desperately +to confine the fire to the eastern section of the +mine, which was nearest to the shafts.</p> + +<p class="indent">Both boys had thrown off their coats, they +had lost their hats, their faces were black and +almost unrecognizable, and the hair of each was +badly singed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The telephone has gone out of business," +announced the man whom Steve had assigned +to this work.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well; we shall be in the same condition +if we do not succeed in stopping the progress +of the fire."</p> + +<p class="indent">Every little while the workers were obliged +to flatten themselves upon the ground for a +breath of fresher air. Now and then one would +topple over unconscious, to be dragged out of +harm's way by a companion. On all this Steve +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> +kept a watchful eye. Thus far he had not lost +a man, thanks to his watchfulness and bravery.</p> + +<p class="indent">All at once a new idea occurred to Rush that +startled him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bob!" he called.</p> + +<p class="indent">Jarvis was at his side instantly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What about the powder room?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The—the—the pow——" stammered Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; what about it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why—why, the fire must be right on it at +this very minute. I—I never thought of it before. +I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then the whole mine will be blown up!" +cried Steve. "<i>There are more than five tons of +dynamite in that room!</i>"</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THROUGH TUNNELS OF FLAME</p> + +<p class="indent">STEVE waited not a moment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Keep working, men!" he shouted, +starting away at top speed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come back!" yelled Jarvis. "You'll be +blown to death."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll all be blown to death if someone +doesn't stop the fire before it gets to the powder +room."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then I'm going with you," answered Bob +Jarvis, following after his companion at top +speed. "It isn't any worse for me than it is +for you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stay back there and handle the men!" flung +back Steve over his shoulder.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob paid no attention to the command. He +was running at full speed in order to keep up +with his companion, for Steve, with a handkerchief +stuffed in his mouth, was running on the +toes of his heavy shoes, darting in and out of +drifts, making sharp detours to get around a +burning spot that was too hot to be passed with +safety.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Keep shouting, or I'll lose you," cried Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I can't! I'll choke!" was the faint answer.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> +On raced the two boys, Bob gaining on Steve +very slowly, struggle as he might to decrease +the other's lead.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We're too late!" groaned Jarvis, as the lads +came to a sudden halt. Before them the flames +were crackling viciously in the dry woodwork of +the drift leading into the earth for some sixty +yards, where the powder room was located. +"Get out of here, or we'll be blown to smithereens!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bob, we've <i>got to</i> find some way to save +the magazine. Think what it will mean if we +do not! Why, it will wreck the whole mine and +the chances are that not a man of all the crew +will get out alive."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, but how are we going to do it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve stood thoughtful for a moment, while +second by second the flames were eating farther +and farther into the drift, drawing nearer and +nearer to the deadly stuff that was piled in cases +behind the wooden partition that stood in the +drift beyond the flames just around the bend.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm going through," announced Steve firmly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are not going to try to get through that +burning drift, are you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's exactly what I am going to do. It's +our only hope, old man. We're surely doomed +if I don't. If I fail then I shall have done my +best. Take off your shirt."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> +"What for?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because I want to use it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why don't you take off your own?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is exactly what I am going to do," answered +the lad, proceeding to strip off the +garment. "Be quick! We've no time to lose."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob began reluctantly to remove his own shirt, +which he tossed to Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, what are you going to do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush did not answer. He began wrapping +the two shirts about his head, having first made +slits in one of them through which he could see. +Both garments were finally twisted about his +head until the latter looked several times its +natural size.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now I want you to stick right here. If I +am overcome you'll have to try your best to +get me out."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I'll be in nice shape to go after you. +I'll singe the skin all off my body if I try it. +You get out the best way you can, but, mind +you, if that fire creeps much closer to the magazine +you'll see me making a lively sprint for +a safe place."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There will be no safe place in the mine if +that happens, Bob. I guess you won't run."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, I guess I won't, at that," admitted the +lad. "What are you going to do when you get +in there?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> +"I am going to try to block the passage so +the fire can't get to the magazine. I can't do +any less than fail. I will shout if I get safely +through the fire; then you will know that I am +all right. Good-bye, Bob, if I do not see you +again. In case anything happens to me, try to +get the men as far away as possible before the +blow-up occurs."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush bravely bolted into the tunnel of +fire. There was fire above his head, sparks falling +in a perfect cataract about him, while the +drift was full of suffocating smoke.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob stood with head bent forward in a listening +attitude, apparently unmindful of the shower +of burning cinders that fell over him. His whole +attention was centred on listening for the call +that would signal Steve Rush's safe arrival on +the other side of the fire.</p> + +<p class="indent">It came at last.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who-o-o-o-o-p!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's made it!" breathed Bob, with a deep +sigh of relief. "I wonder what he is going to +try to do? I ought to be in there with him, instead +of standing out here doing nothing."</p> + +<p class="indent">In the meantime Steve, having penetrated beyond +the fire zone, made his way quickly to the +wooden partition behind which lay the boxes +of high explosives. He gave the door a sharp +push, but it did not yield.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> +It is locked!" groaned the boy. "I've got +to get in there, I've got to do it or we are all +lost!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The fire was by this time less than fifty feet +behind him, creeping along toward the powder +room at a rapid rate.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve backed off and threw himself against +the door with all his strength. But the door +did not move.</p> + +<p class="indent">Once more did the lad try to break the door +in, the rough wood tearing the skin from his +shoulders, sending the blood trickling down his +sides in tiny rivulets.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bang!</p> + +<p class="indent">He hurled himself against the door for the +sixth time. The door gave way with surprising +suddenness. Steve Rush plunged headlong into +the magazine and went down, entangled in the +wreck of the splintered door.</p> + +<p class="indent">Following his sudden entry into the powder +room there came a succession of crashes. At +first he thought the dynamite was exploding and +the boy clenched his hands to meet the great +shock that he felt sure would come shortly.</p> + +<p class="indent">It did not come. Steve suddenly realized that +the dynamite was not going to explode just +yet; what he had heard was the falling of some +of the dynamite cases to the floor, following the +shock of the bursting in of the door.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> +"What a fool I am," cried the lad, starting +to get to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was then that he made the discovery that +he had taken part of the partition down with +him and that he was so entangled in the wreck +that he would have difficulty in extricating himself. +Every second the fire was drawing nearer +the magazine. Steve fought as he never had +fought before. Seconds seemed hours to him, +and the crackling of the flames seemed to be +about his very ears. The more he struggled +the tighter he seemed to be wedging himself +under the timbers and planking that he had carried +down with him.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a mighty effort and in sheer desperation +the lad lifted the weight with his body. Then +by a quick wriggle he managed to squirm from +beneath the planking, clearing all but his feet. +These were again caught. They would surely +have been crushed had it not been for his heavy +shoes.</p> + +<p class="indent">But now the boy's hands were free, thus enabling +him to use them in liberating himself. +After a struggle of a few moments he succeeded +in getting from under the partition and sprang +to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">The electric lights were glowing in the magazine, +the circuit not yet having been broken.</p> + +<p class="indent">At a bound the Iron Boy leaped to the far +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> +side of the magazine. From a box on a shelf +he selected half a dozen white, paper-covered +objects, somewhat resembling wrapped candles, +except that they were larger.</p> + +<p class="indent">This done, Steve whipped out his knife and +cut the electric feed wire that led into the magazine. +In doing so he got a shock that nearly +knocked him down.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gracious, but that wire is hot!" he exclaimed, +shaking his hand to restore the circulation. +"It never seemed so hot as that before. +Everything is hot down here to-day, and I shall +be in the same condition if I do not make lively +tracks out of here."</p> + +<p class="indent">Running from the wrecked powder room, the +lad sprang down the drift, running straight +toward the fire again. As yet he had not replaced +the shirts about his head, for he was not +yet ready to plunge into the fiery tunnel. The +main purpose of his going to the powder room +had not yet been carried out.</p> + +<p class="indent">Reaching a point some twenty feet from the +edge of the fire, the lad thrust one of the sticks +into a crevice in the rocks. One after another +he distributed the sticks in various places, some +of them being wedged behind the lagging that +supported the drift.</p> + +<p class="indent">After a few seconds he had distributed them +all, forming a line that the fire would be sure +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> +to touch before it could get by to reach the +magazine.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve could hear Jarvis calling to him now. +Perhaps Bob had been doing so right along, +but if so, Rush had been so occupied with his +task that he had not heard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wh-o-o-p-e-e!" answered the plucky lad. +"I'm coming. Look out for me."</p> + +<p class="indent">Taking a final survey of his work, Steve +turned toward the fire again.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Getting out of here is going to be more difficult +than getting in," he decided. "I shall be +well singed by the time I get through that wall +of fire."</p> + +<p class="indent">Wrapping the shirts about his head, Steve +dived into the fiery tunnel, holding his breath as +he ran.</p> + +<p class="indent">The heat was terrific. He could feel it burning +through his trousers, and he could smell the +burning cloth about his head. He had thrust +his hands into his trousers' pockets, which afforded +some protection.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly he stumbled over a timber that had +fallen from its supports and measured his +length on the ground. As he fell he uttered a +shout.</p> + +<p class="indent">The fall stunned him, for the boy struck on +his head. Bob, however, had heard the cry. Regardless +of the fact that neither his head nor +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> +his body was protected, Jarvis dashed boldly +into the burning drift. He knew the skin was +peeling from his arms, but he did not experience +any sensation of pain.</p> + +<p class="indent">All at once he, too, stumbled and fell in a heap +with a deluge of burning embers and live sparks +showering about him. But Bob was not stunned. +He was very much alive at this particular moment, +for he realized for the first time that unless +he moved rapidly he would be burned alive.</p> + +<p class="indent">Just then he felt the object over which he +had fallen move.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Steve! Steve! Is that you?" cried Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ye-yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob fastened on him with a powerful grip, +and began dragging Rush from the fire, first +having stripped off one of the burning shirts.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve regained control of himself almost instantly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let go! Run for it! Something is going +to happen!" he shouted.</p> + +<p class="indent">But Jarvis did not let go. He ran faster than +ever, holding firmly to his companion. Perhaps +he was beginning to understand what Steve expected +to happen. At least he was making all +the speed possible under the circumstances.</p> + +<p class="indent">Both boys drew in a long breath as they flattened +themselves on the ground, well free of +the fire zone.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> +Steve bounded to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Run for your life!" he shouted.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is the magazine going up?" cried Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Something is going up in a minute. It may +be the magazine."</p> + +<p class="indent">This time Rush grabbed Bob, starting on a +run with him. Both boys were choking from the +smoke they were inhaling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're on fire!" yelled Jarvis. "Stop! I'll +put it out."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no, no! Keep going. Don't stop. It +won't hurt me to burn a little. I'm already +pretty well cooked—"</p> + +<p class="indent">Boom!</p> + +<p class="indent">A reverberating report sounded through the +level, and the Iron Boys were hurled violently +to the ground.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE IRON BOYS WIN</p> + +<p class="indent">"NOW we will put out the fire," announced +Steve Rush calmly, as he got to his +feet and began whipping out the +smouldering sparks on the scant covering that +he had left on his body.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The powder house has blown up and the +mine is caving in!" cried a miner, dashing in +front of them through a cross-cut. A dozen +others were following him, yelling wildly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There go my firemen. Stop them, Bob!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush sprang out into the cross-cut waving his +arms.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stop! You are all right if you will keep +your heads."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The magazine's gone up!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The magazine has not gone up. Get back to +your stations. How is the fire?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We were getting the best of it on our level +when the powder house went——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nonsense! I tell you it's all right, but unless +you do keep the fire from spreading into the +other side of the mine you'll go up in smoke, the +whole crowd of you. Now get back to work."</p> + +<p class="indent">Some of the men turned to retrace their steps.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> +"He's lying to you," shouted one of those who +had not turned. "Come with me, and I'll show +you the way out. The kid's gone crazy."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 446px;"> <img class="border" src="images/iron2pic2.png" width="446" height="700" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">"Back, Every Man of You!"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Back, I tell you! Every man of you!" +shouted Steve, placing himself squarely in front +of the man who had started to run.</p> + +<p class="indent">The fellow did not stop. He started to run +right over Rush, when, quick as a flash, Steve's +clenched fist landed on the miner's jaw, sending +the man down in a heap. In the meantime Bob +Jarvis, with a howl, had jumped into the fray. +He knocked down two men who sought to force +their way past him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on, you cowards! You'll find my +fist is harder to get away from than the fire in +the lagging. I'll pound every one of you if you +don't get back to your stations."</p> + +<p class="indent">Others had come running along the cross-cut +after the explosion, until there were fully thirty +men in the party.</p> + +<p class="indent">Facing them stood the two Iron Boys, naked +to the waist, Steve's body streaked with soot +and blood. The miners stood hesitating. Somehow +the courage of the two lads shamed the +men. They wavered between their shame and +their fears.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Go back and do your duty like men," commanded +Steve Rush in a firm tone. "Now that +you are in condition to listen, I will tell you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> +that the powder house has not blown up. There +is now little chance that it will."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But we heard it go up," protested a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, you did not. The powder house, in all +probability, is buried under tons of rock. I +planted the drift with sticks of dynamite. When +the fire reached them the explosion of the dynamite +caved in the drift, thus shutting off the +magazine and burying it. Your danger is from +fire alone. Go back to work."</p> + +<p class="indent">For a moment the rough men gazed at the +slender, resolute lad standing before them; then +the miners, with one accord, uttered a yell. Before +the lads could dodge out of the way the +miners had grabbed the Iron Boys, and, uttering +choking hurrahs, bore the lads back through +the level on a run.</p> + +<p class="indent">These same men were ready to fight anything +now. Their courage had come back to them, +increased tenfold. They had realized in a moment +what desperate bravery had been Steve's.</p> + +<p class="indent">From that moment on the men fought desperately +against the flames. Little by little, now +that systematic efforts were being put forth, the +fire died out. The mine was still filled with suffocating +smoke, however, and men were being +overcome on every hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">From the surface a band of rescuers had begun +to make their way down the ladders into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page72" id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> +the mine, headed by the superintendent himself. +Each was provided with head-wrappings, damp +cloths being placed over mouths and noses.</p> + +<p class="indent">The instant the rescuers reached the first level, +Mr. Penton hurried them off to the west, in +order to get them as far away from the magazines +as possible. He expected to hear the muffled +report of the exploding magazine at any +moment, and to feel the ground tremble and +settle beneath his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">Reaching a point far enough to the west to +place them out of immediate danger, should +there be an explosion, the party took to the ladders +again and began their descent into the +heart of the conflagration.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the meantime Steve Rush had worked out +another plan. He had visited the most dangerous +places in the mine, learning where the main +artery of fire was. This done, the lad sent out +men to hunt up sticks of dynamite in some of +the working drifts. A few sticks were thus secured. +With these Steve blew down the roofs of +the levels in several places, thus absolutely +checking the fire at these points.</p> + +<p class="indent">This done, the men had little difficulty in +handling the other levels. Mr. Penton, during +his slow, dangerous descent, caught the faint +boom of the dynamite sticks. He knew that it +was not the magazine and concluded that the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> +distant reports he had heard were caused by +the explosion of stray sticks of dynamite that the +fire had reached.</p> + +<p class="indent">At last the party reached the fifteenth level, +where the fire-fighting operations were going +steadily forward. No one gave the slightest +heed to the superintendent and his party. The +miners were too busy fighting fire, and they +were working with an enthusiasm and force +that amazed Mr. Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">He hailed a drift foreman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bates, what is the condition down here? I +wish to know the details. You can save me time +by telling me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think we have the fire under control, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is the mine badly damaged?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I fear it is."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How many levels have been burned?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There has been fire on all of them below +this, and, as you probably know, above here, +too. I think Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis can +give you more information than can I."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where are they?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. They're everywhere at once. +I never saw anything like those two young fellows. +You can give them the credit for saving +your mine."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But the magazines—is there fire near +them?" asked the superintendent hurriedly.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> +"There was."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who put it out?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush and Jarvis did—that is, they got into +the powder house, carried out dynamite and blew +up the drift ahead of the fire, so it could not +reach the explosives."</p> + +<p class="indent">The blood rushed to the face of the superintendent +in a sudden wave of emotion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have any lives been lost?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I fear so. We have been too busy to find +out. We knew there was nothing that could +be done; in fact, there was no possibility of our +getting into the other side of the works. If we +could get there the men could get here. I believe, +however, that Rush and Jarvis have pulled +out twenty or thirty men who had been overcome."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wonderful!" breathed Mr. Penton. "Come, +men; we must go through the mine and make +a quick investigation. Bates, have you stationed +men through the various levels to watch?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I believe Rush has attended to that. In fact, +he did that some time ago. He took matters +into his own hands, and we were very willing +to have him do so, for the men were crazed with +fear."</p> + +<p class="indent">Just then a man rushed into the level where +Mr. Penton and the foreman were standing. +This man was bare to the waist, his skin so +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> +blackened with smoke as to render him almost +unrecognizable.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who is that?" demanded the superintendent +sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's Rush."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve had not observed Mr. Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want ten volunteers to go with me to the +other side of the mine. It will be hot in there, +but we've got to look after the men in that section. +Some of them, no doubt, are imprisoned +in drifts that have caved in, and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Steve!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton strode forward with outstretched +hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Steve, my boy, come here."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boy sprang forward, grasped Mr. +Penton's hand, then turned sharply to the men.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who will go with me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will," answered every man in the drift.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush, you have done enough. I will head +the rescue party. It is my place to do so," +exclaimed the superintendent. "Where is +Jarvis?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"On the level below this. He is beating out +the fire on the main and sub-levels. He has done +splendid work, Mr. Penton."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I understand. Send for him, and both +of you make your way to the surface, if you +are able to do so."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page76" id="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> +"No, sir; we shall stay. We are foremen. +It is our duty to remain in the mine as long +as there is anything to do. Mr. Bates, with the +superintendent's permission, will you relieve +Mr. Jarvis and take charge of the work here +and below as well?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton nodded his permission.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," answered Bates.</p> + +<p class="indent">Half a dozen men were chosen from that shift, +Steve deciding to pick up others on the way to +the fire-swept part of the mine. Mr. Penton +headed the rescue party, which made its way +as rapidly as possible to the other side.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was a sad duty that the men found before +them. The total loss was ten men. Fifty men +in various parts of the mine had been buried in +drifts and it was night before the last of them +had been gotten out. While this was being done +watchmen patroled the levels, Steve Rush having +laid out the plans for this work. Now and then +a fresh blaze would spring up here and there, +but in each instance there were men on hand +to fight it.</p> + +<p class="indent">As soon as the last blaze had been extinguished +the bull gang began rushing timber +down into the mine, and the timber-men got to +work, shoring up the weakened levels. All night +long the work continued. Neither Steve nor Bob +Jarvis would leave the mine. The Iron Boys +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> +seemed to be everywhere at once, especially at +points where their services were needed. Mr. +Penton found himself deferring to the judgment +of the brave lads. There was still need for cool +heads. He knew full well that he could depend +upon the two boys under all conditions.</p> + +<p class="indent">Morning came, though the lads did not know +it until the day shift came down to work. The +mine was still smoky, but it had cleared sufficiently +to enable the men to work. No ore +was to be taken out that day, all hands starting +in to clean up the mine. The Iron Boys, after +having been on duty for twenty-four hours, made +their way to the surface, first having borrowed +jackets to cover their backs. They went to their +boarding house, and, after a bath, tumbled into +bed, remaining there until late in the evening.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page78" id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND</p> + +<p class="indent">MR. CARRHART, the president of the +mining company, arrived early on the +following morning. He was an experienced +engineer, and with a force that is +characteristic of successful men in the industrial +world, he quickly put the mine in working +condition.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the meantime Mr. Carrhart had listened to +the tale of the heroism of the Iron Boys. They +had saved the company thousands of dollars by +their efforts. On the second day he sent for +the two boys and extended to them his hearty +congratulations, assuring them at the same time +that he would show the appreciation of the company +in a more substantial way. He asked Steve +if there were anything he could do for him at +that moment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir; I thank you," was the prompt answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">Late that afternoon Steve was approached by +an inspector in the mines named Cavard, a Russian. +His first name, being practically unpronounceable, +had remained in disuse so long +that nearly every one in the mine had forgotten +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> +it. Cavard was called the Duke for short, because +of his dignified carriage and aristocratic +airs. He was greatly respected, however, especially +by the foreign element in the mine, over +whom he exercised considerable influence. It +was Cavard to whom they turned to settle their +differences; it was Cavard who advised them +in their money matters, and it had been rumored +that he had profited through this until he had +amassed quite a sum of money. However, the +man was an experienced miner. He had worked +up from grade to grade until he had become an +inspector, and though the officials of the company +did not like the man personally, they were +forced to admit that he was valuable to them.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve knew Cavard, though he had never +passed five minutes' conversation with him since +the lads had been in the employ of the company. +Steve did not like the fellow; he had +distrusted the Duke from the first. Their dislike +for each other appeared to have been mutual, +Cavard treating both boys with indifference +and scorn.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush was, therefore, rather surprised when +the Russian approached him with cordial, outstretched +hand that afternoon on the level where +the lad was attending to his duties.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want to congratulate you, Rush," said the +inspector.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> +"What for?" asked Steve rather brusquely.</p> + +<p class="indent">"For your heroism at the time of the fire. +The men are all proud of you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you. I simply did my duty. Anyone +would have done the same."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But the fact remains, my boy, that no one +did the same. The men were panic-stricken. +They were crazed with fear."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I observed. But I hear good reports of +you also. You did your duty, too. Why aren't +they congratulating you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, that was nothing. By the way, Rush, +you and I ought to be friends."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wasn't aware that we were enemies," replied +the boy, with a faint smile.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did not mean it that way. I meant that we +ought to get together and come to a better understanding."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you; I am too busy to indulge in +friendships. I am much obliged for your kindness, +though."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pshaw, don't talk that way. I want you to +do something for me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I shall be glad to do whatever I can for +you, sir. What do you want?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come and see me. You and I have much to +talk over. We can talk better in my own rooms. +It may be to your advantage to talk matters over +with me."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> +"What is it you want to talk with me about?" +asked Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's suspicions were aroused, though what +lay behind the invitation he did not know.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Will you come?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll think about it," answered the lad. +"Where do you live?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Twenty-three, Iron Street."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I know the place."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You might bring your friend Jarvis with +you. He will be interested in what I have to +say. You are both boys of influence in the mines, +and you are advancing rapidly. We ought to +be able to work together to our mutual advantage."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush bade the inspector good afternoon and +went about his duties. The lad was puzzled. +That Cavard was influenced by some ulterior +motive he was certain. But, puzzle over the +matter as he might, Steve Rush was unable to +decide in his own mind what that motive might +be. He was at first inclined to accept Cavard's +invitation to call on him. Upon reflection, however, +he decided that he wanted nothing to do +with the man.</p> + +<p class="indent">That evening he talked the matter over with +Bob, and Jarvis was of the opinion that the less +they had to do with the Russian the better it +would be for both of them. Later on, as the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> +boys were taking their evening walk, they passed +Cavard strolling along the street with a stranger. +The latter was tall and well dressed. He was +red of face, and when he raised his hat to wipe +the perspiration from his forehead the boys saw +that his head was crowned with a luxuriant +growth of red hair. His small, keen eyes took +in every detail of the two boys in one comprehensive +glance. They saw him ask a quick question +of Cavard. The latter glanced at the boys, +nodding smilingly, then answered the red-headed +man in a tone too low for them to catch the +words.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who's the red head?" demanded Bob Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. I never saw him before," answered +Steve, gazing searchingly at the two men. +"He is a stranger in this vicinity, that is certain. +I wonder what he and Cavard are talking +about so confidentially. By the way, Bob, have +you kept your eyes open of late?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I usually do. What particular thing are you +talking about?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What I spoke about before. Since the fire +in the mine there has been more talk than ever +going on among the men."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I have observed that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have noticed also that our friend Cavard +has had a most important part in these talks. +I wish I knew what he had in mind when he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> +urged me to come and see him. I believe that +fellow will bear watching, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I agree with you there. We'll keep an eye +on him. He has nerve, whatever other failings +may be his. He certainly made himself useful +at the fire the other day and the men would lay +down their lives for him at any moment."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Provided they didn't get an attack of cold +feet," added Jarvis, with a grin.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You couldn't blame them for that. You +must remember that the rank and file of the +men in the mines are ignorant and unreasoning. +In consequence they become easily panic-stricken +in time of danger."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, that's so. A little knowledge does give +a man more or less courage."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because it gives him greater reasoning +powers. It teaches him to reason things out +instead of getting scared and running away. +That is why the Duke is so far above the rank +and file of the workers in the mines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess you're right, at that," agreed Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I am. But I am convinced that +we shall hear something from Cavard before +a great while that will interest us. He has made +the first move in asking us to come and see him. +Of course we shall not do so, but if he wants +to see us very badly he will look us up, depend +upon that. If he approaches you, Bob, let him +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> +take the lead, but see to it that you draw him +out if you can without committing yourself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll do that; don't you worry. I'll show +him I can play at a game of wits just as well as +he can."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't underrate the fellow. Remember, he +is a sharp, shrewd man. He is playing a game +unless I am greatly in error, and he is playing +it very shrewdly. We know that, because not +a breath of what he is up to has gotten to our +ears."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you asked anyone about him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I had a talk with the mine captain of +the Cousin Jack the other day. Jim thinks him +a very capable man. He says that Cavard is +one of the best men in the mines, and that the +Duke has more influence with the miners than +has any other man in the mines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That statement doesn't enlighten us as to +Cavard's game."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, but we will eventually find it out. I shall +try to throw myself in Cavard's way without +appearing to do so. Then perhaps he will open +up and give me a clue to what he is driving at."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's a good idea. I'll keep hands off and +leave you a clear field to work in."</p> + +<p class="indent">Their further conversation along this line was +interrupted by Mr. Penton, who overtook them +at that moment. He greeted the lads warmly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> +and walked with them until he reached his own +home, where he left the Iron Boys. They did +not refer to the subject again that night. The +following day was Sunday, a day when all work +is suspended in the mines, no matter how great +the demand for output.</p> + +<p class="indent">Late in the afternoon Steve saw Cavard and +the stranger walking out of town, going in the +direction of a little lake that lay a mile beyond +the mining town. After a time Rush observed +other groups moving in the same direction.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now I wonder if the whole town is going +fishing," mused Rush. "I've a good notion to +follow them out and see what is going on. But +I think I had better stay at home and attend to +my own business."</p> + +<p class="indent">He did so, in a short time forgetting entirely +what he had observed. The matter was again +brought to his attention when the men came +back just before the supper hour. Some of the +men from his own boarding house had been out +to the lake. All of them seemed more or less +excited over something. The boys asked a few +guarded questions, but gained no information +whatever, their questions being parried in every +instance.</p> + +<p class="indent">This made Steve Rush all the more determined +to get to the bottom of the mystery.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'd give a day's wages to know what that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page86" id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> +fellow, Cavard, has got in the back of his head. +I'll bet it would be interesting reading, and I'm +going to make it my business to find out. Something +has been going on to-day, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; it is easy to see that. Have you any +idea what this secrecy means?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not the slightest in the world."</p> + +<p class="indent">It was noticed that the red-haired stranger +still lingered in town. Steve learned that the +man was in frequent communication with certain +of the workers in the mine, spending all, +or the greater part of his evenings at Cavard's +lodgings on Iron Street.</p> + +<p class="indent">One evening late in the week Rush walked +down to the village hotel, where he occasionally +went to read the Chicago papers that were kept +on file there. He had seated himself at the long, +paper-littered table in the deserted reading +room and settled himself for a quiet time. He +had been reading for some time when he suddenly +heard his name spoken.</p> + +<p class="indent">Glancing up quickly the Iron Boy found himself +looking into the florid face of the red-haired +man whom he had seen with the Duke.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good evening, sir," said Steve innocently, +resuming his reading.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am glad to make your acquaintance, young +man. I have heard all about your heroism at +the time of the fire in the mine. It was a brave +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> +piece of work that you and your friend—let's +see, what is his name?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean Bob Jarvis?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, that's the name—that you two did."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you. Let's talk about the weather."</p> + +<p class="indent">The stranger laughed heartily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I see you are a humorist. I expect you will +be at the head of a mine yourself one of these +fine days."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I expect to be," answered the lad so quickly +as fairly to take the other man's breath away. +"That day is a long way off, however."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps not so far off as you think. There +is a way that men of your ability and mind may +improve their conditions."</p> + +<p class="indent">"May I ask what your business is, sir?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am interested in mines. I am up here on +mining business. By the way, I have some of +the finest samples of ore that you ever saw."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was interested in spite of himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I can show you samples that will interest +you greatly. If you have a little time I wish +you would come up to my room. We can talk +to better advantage there than down here, and +besides I can show you the samples without a +crowd gathering about us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know you, sir," answered the lad, +with a half smile.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> +"My name is Driscold, Barney Driscold. I +am from Chicago."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Driscold," said +Rush, extending his hand. "Under the circumstances +I shall be glad to see the ore you speak +of. I am always willing to look at anything that +will add to my store of knowledge."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know that. Come with me. I am interested +in young men like you. Where is your +friend to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He has gone to call on another friend."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve rose and started after Driscold. The +latter did not pass through the lobby of the +hotel, but made his way back through the parlor +on the ground floor, opening a door that revealed +a stairway leading to the floor above. +Steve had never been upstairs in the hotel. He +did not even know the arrangement of the rooms +up there. He was a shrewd boy, and perhaps +he was not so much attracted by the promised +exhibition of ore as he was by the idea of learning +something about Mr. Driscold.</p> + +<p class="indent">The latter led him down a hall toward the +front of the building, then entered a small, cosy +parlor, which he had engaged for his use while +in the mining town.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have a seat," said Driscold cordially, as he +turned on the lights, then drew up a chair close +to where Steve Rush had seated himself.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> +"I guess something is going to start in a short +time," thought Steve. "Where are the ore +samples, sir?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="indent">Driscold brought out a handful of specimens +of copper ore that he had in his bag. These +he laid on the little round table that stood at +the side of his chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve picked up the samples. He saw at once +that they were inferior samples, not worthy even +of passing consideration.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where do these samples come from, sir?" +he asked, apparently deeply interested.</p> + +<p class="indent">"From a new mine over in Michigan. I am +interested in the mine and I thought you would +be interested in the ore we take from it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We have some ideal conditions in the mine. +Our men are better paid and have shorter hours +than you men have up here. You work ten hours +here, while our men work only eight."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I presume that you would like to have +shorter hours and get more money at the same +time, would you not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That depends," replied Rush evasively.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Upon what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, it depends upon several things. In what +way do you accomplish this in your new copper +mine?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> +"By organization purely."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't think I quite understand."</p> + +<p class="indent">"By organization I mean organizing the +working men."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, you mean holding up one's employers; +in other words, throttling them and compelling +them to grant one's demands. Is that what you +mean?" demanded the lad with sharp incisiveness.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no, no, no! You misunderstand me. We +do nothing of the sort. We——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Driscold was interrupted by a rap on the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come in," he called.</p> + +<p class="indent">A man stepped into the room. Steve could +scarce repress an exclamation as he saw and +recognized the newcomer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I begin to understand what the game is +now," thought the boy, as he leaned back in +his chair with a smile of recognition on his face.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page91" id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE LABOR LEADER'S LURE</p> + +<p class="indent">"WHY, Rush, this is, indeed, a surprise," +exclaimed the newcomer, who was +none other than the Russian, Cavard. +"How are you, Driscold? But I fear I am intruding."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all. Take a seat. We were discussing +matters in which you are interested, I +know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I'm listening," laughed the Russian. +"What is the nature of this interesting discussion?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We were talking of improving the condition +of the miners by organization. My young friend +Rush rather misunderstood the purport of my +remarks. I was about to show him wherein he +was wrong when you entered."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I am in thorough sympathy with organization," +nodded the Duke. "It is the one needful +thing in the mines here, and it is bound to +come at no distant day. I am glad we three are +alone here, so we can talk the matter over. You +know, most of our men lack the intelligence to +appreciate fully the kind of argument we are +making."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> +"Do you mean that the miners in our mines +are thinking of organizing?" asked Steve, without +appearing to take any great interest in the +announcement.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I might say that such a thing is within +the range of possibility."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Form a union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes; that would be the natural result. +'In union there is strength,' you know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I have read," replied the lad, with a faint +smile. "Then you are unionizing the mines? +Is that it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should hardly want to go so far as to say +that, my dear, young friend," answered the +Duke. "But I will say that the men have been +considering the matter for some time. I am +placing implicit confidence in you. This information +is not mine to give at the present moment, +so I shall have to ask you to consider all +that I may say as being confidential."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not reply to this directly. He sat +thoughtful and silent for a few seconds.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you a union man, Mr. Driscold?" he +asked suddenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Driscold is the president of the Central +Iron Miners' Association," said Cavard, speaking +for the red-haired man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve regarded the president curiously.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> +"Then you represent all of the unions in the +country, sir?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; not quite that. I am the state president +only. The national body is represented +by another man. Then, in case a union is organized +here, there will be a local president and +other officers, all playing a prominent part in +the organization. Believe me, my dear young +friend, there is a great chance for bright young +men. We want young men to hold our offices, +young men of brains, like yourself. It is the +history of our organization that such young men, +almost from the moment that they assume office +in the union, make rapid strides in their work. +They are sure to earn rapid promotion. We see +to that; we push them along. Why, I know of +a young man about your age who, like yourself, +was a foreman before joining the union. In +less than a year after doing so he was promoted +to be a superintendent. That happened right +in this state, not more than a hundred miles from +where we are sitting at this very moment. Stand +by the union, and work for its interests, and +you will be well taken care of at all times."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who are the gainers by the organization of +a union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The rank and file of the men, of course."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But how are the officers paid? Surely they +do not work for nothing."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page94" id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> +"They are paid very moderate salaries," Mr. +Driscold hastened to explain, after which he returned +to his original subject. "Are there any +other questions that you would like to ask?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I should like to know how all that you +promise is brought about. You say that the men +will get better wages and shorter hours. How +do you expect to accomplish that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will explain. I see that you do not understand. +That is not surprising, since you have +had no experience."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir; I have not."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will be very frank with you. Corporations +are grasping. They get all they can out of +their men, and when those men are no longer +useful to them, they cast the men aside as they +would a piece of worn-out machinery. They +care nothing for you; they would discharge you +to-morrow were it not for the fact that you are +useful to them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think you are wrong, sir," retorted Steve +sharply. "I have never worked for a corporation +before. The corporation I am now working +for is interested in me to the same extent +that I am interested in my work. I believe all +of these great industrial organizations are looking +for young men who are in earnest. I believe +that they are willing to advance such young men +just as fast as they are fitted for advancement. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> +At least I have found that to be so in my own +case. Of course we have to work long hours +and work hard. But what do you expect? +Surely you do not look for pay for doing nothing?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no; you misunderstand me entirely."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I beg your pardon. You were starting to +tell me how you brought about the conditions +you mentioned a few moments ago."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. In the first place, the corporations like +to have their men organized. It makes for better +service all around. Well, to proceed, I will +explain that, having organized, we should appoint +a committee to wait upon the official who +is in charge of the mines. This committee would +lay before the superintendent, if he were the +man called upon, such grievances as we might +think existed. There would be a friendly discussion, +and he, seeing the wisdom of what our +committee demanded, would no doubt grant the +request made."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What if he refused?" interjected Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I presume it would go before the president +of the mining company. At least, we should see +that the grievances were carried to him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And if he refused to grant your demands, +what then?" persisted Steve Rush, his keen eyes +fixed upon the red-headed president of the Association.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> +"Well, we should find a way to compel them +to grant our demands," answered Mr. Driscold +significantly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It seems to come back to the point of +throttling a man," said Rush. "I never could +become enthusiastic over the profession of highwayman, +and it strikes me that this is about +what the proposition amounts to."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boy was pitting his wits against +those of two shrewd and experienced men, who +were seeking to lure him on by offering him +sugar-coated pills. But Steve Rush knew full +well, young as he was in the world's ways, that +the inside of the pill was bitter and unpalatable. +The lad was holding his own to such an extent +that the man Driscold had adopted a sharp, incisive +tone at several points in the discussion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are wrong, Rush," interrupted Cavard. +"You are altogether wrong."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps I am, but I am trying to get to +the bottom of the question. You spoke, Mr. +Driscold, a moment ago, of finding a way to +compel the officials of the company to agree to +your demands. How would you go about it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The president hesitated a moment before replying.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, our only recourse then—our only +remedy, in that event—would be to call a +strike."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> +"<i>Ah!</i>"</p> + +<p class="indent">The exclamation escaped young Rush almost +before he realized it. He bit his lips, and his +face flushed slightly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And while the strike was on your men and +their families would go hungry?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no; we look out for that. We give +them money."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How much?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Enough."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How much?" persisted Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A few dollars a week, perhaps, so long as +the money holds out."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who gets the money that the men who join +pay in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The dues go to the union, of course. The +initiation fee naturally goes to recompense the +walking delegate who, you must understand, +works without pay."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It strikes me that he is pretty well paid. +I have not had much experience in the world, +gentlemen, but I am satisfied that your whole +scheme is wrong. It is a hold-up game from +start to finish——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're a fool!" exploded Driscold. +"You're a——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never mind the trimmings. I may be all +you accuse me of, but I pride myself on possessing +common sense. That, sometimes, is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> +worth more than knowledge. Mr. Cavard, are +you helping to unionize the mines here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whatever I am doing is done wholly in the +interest of the rank and file of the mines," +snapped Cavard. "You are making a mistake +in antagonizing us in this way. We had hoped +that you would see the matter in its true light, +and that you might prove a valuable aid to us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In what way?" demanded Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are popular with the men; you have +a great deal of influence with them, even though +you are a boy. We had hoped that you might +enter into the plan and accept an important office +in the union."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So that's it, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is what we had hoped. Think it over. +Say nothing to anyone, but go over the matter +carefully, and I am sure you will change your +mind. Meet us here to-morrow night at eight +o'clock and give us your answer. You have +everything to gain and nothing to lose."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gentlemen, there is no necessity of waiting +until to-morrow night. I can give you my answer +now. I want nothing to do with such +crooked business as you have proposed to me +to-night. I bid you good night, gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush rose and left the room without +another word.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE GENTLEMAN IN THE WOODPILE</p> + +<p class="indent">"BOB, I've torn down the woodpile," announced +Steve, as he entered their +room at the boarding house half an +hour later.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What woodpile?" demanded Jarvis blankly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The one we have been guessing about; and +I've found the black gentleman who has been in +hiding there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't mean that you have solved the +mystery?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, you are a wonder. Tell me about it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"They are trying to unionize the mines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't say! Who is trying to do it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cavard is at the bottom of the whole business, +I believe. He has with him the president +of the Central Iron Miners' Association and they +are putting up this job together, though I believe +the Duke is the real man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So that's the game, is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How did you chance to learn all this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve related what had occurred in the reading +room of the hotel, telling his companion how +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> +he had been lured to Driscold's room on the +pretext of looking over some samples of ore, +and where they were soon joined by the Duke.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did they want of you?" questioned +Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"They wanted me to join the union, of course. +They wanted me to use my influence with the +men, promising me quick promotion if I did +join in and help them to organize."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did you tell them?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't remember all I said, but I made it +clear that I wanted none of it. I am satisfied +that this union business is a delusion and a +snare. Mr. Carrhart talked with me quite a +little on that subject when he was up here some +months ago. He gave me a lot of points about +the methods followed by some of these union +organizers, and he showed me what miserable +things strikes are."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I guess they are pretty bad," agreed +Jarvis. "I have never seen one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And I hope you never will. I don't believe +a strike could ever benefit either employé +or employer. Don't you get mixed up with +them, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not I," answered Jarvis with emphasis. +"I'm pretty well satisfied with the way I am +being used. I've learned a lot of things in the +past year, and most of them I have learned from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page101" id="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> +you. I'm very much obliged for the licking you +gave me. You hammered some sense into my +head and I haven't lost all of it yet. When I +do, you may give me another walloping."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm afraid I should not be able to do it +now. You have grown since then, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So have you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then we are in good shape to thrash somebody +else, if the occasion demands, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You bet! We'll do that, all right. Do you +think there is going to be trouble?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should not be surprised. I do not know, +of course, how far this thing has gone, but the +organizers have been working for a long time, +as you and I both know. I am inclined to believe +that the Duke has gotten a strong hold +on the men. You observed how our fellows acted +after they returned from their outing on Sunday?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I noticed it. They all acted as if they +had lost their week's wages. So that's what was +going on, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; they must have had a meeting out at +the lake. I wish I knew whether they have organized +or not. I am inclined to believe that +they have not, though. But, if not, they are getting +perilously close to doing so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Should we not tell Mr. Penton?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I had thought of that, but we talked this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> +matter over once before and decided not to do +so. He probably knows more about what is +going on than we do. However, if we see it +is going on to a finish, perhaps it would be our +duty to give him a hint of what we know. I +dislike to carry tales of any kind. Again, I +doubt if this is any of our business. We know +what we shall do; we'll fight the proposed union +at every opportunity if the men are going to +strike. I believe it would be the worst thing +that could happen to the men, short of a mine +disaster, and the company, to which we owe full +allegiance, would suffer greatly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What are the men going to do when they +become organized?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Judging from what the two men said, I +should judge they would demand higher wages +and shorter hours."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob uttered a grunt of disapproval.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Next thing we know they'll be wanting the +bosses to lay them off and pay them double +wages while they are off. I never saw anything +like the cheek of some people."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The laboring man is entitled to some consideration," +mused Steve. "But there is a +limit. We will lie low and attend to our own +business until something else develops."</p> + +<p class="indent">Something did develop later in the week. The +word had been passed quietly about that there +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page103" id="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> +was to be a meeting of the miners of the day +shift to take up the question of organizing. The +meeting was to be held in a bowling alley over +the only livery stable in the place. Only those +were invited of whom the organizers were sure.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob Jarvis got wind of the meeting through +overhearing two of the men in his shift discussing +it. He told Steve at the first opportunity. +The latter thought over the matter all the +rest of the day.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bob," he said, that night, "I am going to +attend that meeting. Will you come along?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where you go, I go," answered Jarvis, +laughingly. "But won't they put us out?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess not. If they do, it won't help their +cause any. They will be glad to have us there +if they think they can convert us. At least, +we shall know what is going on, and we may +be able to do something for the company."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. We shall see," Steve replied +enigmatically. "Leave it to me. Don't do anything +rash, but let me engineer this thing. I +may bring trouble down upon my head, but I +have an idea."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob agreed to "be good." The meeting was +scheduled to be held that night, and nine o'clock +was the appointed hour.</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys delayed their walk that evening. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page104" id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> +They did not leave the house until long after +eight o'clock, by which time nearly all the men +from the boarding house had dressed themselves +in their best and hurried away.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You see, they are all going to attend the +meeting," nodded Rush. "That shows you how +far this thing has advanced."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It certainly looks that way. I didn't think +it was anything like this, did you, Steve?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; I did not. We had better be starting +now."</p> + +<p class="indent">On the way the lads were hailed by Mr. +Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where are you going in such a hurry, lads?" +he called.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are going out for the evening," answered +Steve. "I have been thinking about +labor unions to-day, Mr. Penton. Are you opposed +to them? Are they a factor for good or +otherwise?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The superintendent laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Older heads than yours have disagreed on +that subject. I hold rather pronounced views. +There are unions that are ably managed by +upright, intelligent men. Such unions are a +good thing. The difficulty is that many others +are managed by unscrupulous men, working to +serve only their own ends, no matter what the +cost to the employer. Such unions are a menace, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page105" id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> +both to the men and to their employers. That +is my position."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then, Mr. Penton, if you were to have a +union, say in your mines here, honestly managed +and directed by upright men, you would not +object to it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Most assuredly not."</p> + +<p class="indent">This was a new point of view for Steve Rush. +It gave him a broader insight into the question.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you thinking of organizing a union, my +boy?" asked the superintendent, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, not exactly, sir. If I were to join a +union would it prejudice you against me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all. I know you—know your honesty +too well. It would be a good thing for any +union to have such men as yourself and Jarvis +with it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you, sir," answered Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys bade the superintendent good-bye +and went on their way to the meeting place.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What in the world did all those questions +of yours mean?" demanded Bob after they had +gotten out of ear shot of the superintendent.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not answer. He was thinking +deeply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have something in mind, Steve Rush."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I have, Bob. In fact, I have partially +changed my mind."</p> + +<p class="indent">"About what have you changed your mind?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> +"I will tell you later."</p> + +<p class="indent">Reaching the hall where the meeting was to +be held, the chums found the place packed with +miners. As the boys made their way to the +rear of the room, where they saw an unoccupied +window seat, the miners recognized them and +set up a loud cheer.</p> + +<p class="indent">Driscold and Cavard occupied seats on the +platform. The men exchanged significant +glances when they saw the boys enter the hall. +They were not quite sure whether they approved +the presence of the Iron Boys. But, in view of +the attitude taken by the miners, the two men +could not well object to Steve and Bob remaining.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Driscold soon after called the meeting +to order. He stated very briefly the purpose +of the organization, which was, in short, he said, +to guard the men from oppression and to look +out for their general welfare. He gave figures +to show how many of the miners of the country +already belonged to unions, and urged the men +to form a union before leaving the hall.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How many of you are in favor of doing +this?" he demanded. "All in favor will rise."</p> + +<p class="indent">Nearly every man in the hall rose to his feet, +though the Iron Boys sat quietly in their places.</p> + +<p class="indent">Next Mr. Driscold proposed Mr. Cavard for +president of the local union, which was to include +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page107" id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> +all the mines on the range, and from all +of which representatives were present. Cavard +was elected unanimously. Steve caught the +faint flicker of a smile as it swept over the face +of the Duke. Rush nudged his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The next thing," continued Mr. Driscold, +"will be the election of a secretary. This should +be done before any other business is transacted. +After that you will all sign your names to the +roll. I have a charter already made out for +you. Who will you have for your secretary?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Steve Rush!" shouted a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush, Rush, Rush!" shouted voices from +all parts of the hall, until the demand became +one insistent roar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I move we elect Steve Rush our secretary," +cried a man, springing to a chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Second the motion!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Driscold, rather red of face, rapped for order.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It has been moved and seconded that Stephen +Rush be elected as secretary of this organization. +I will not attempt to advise you. It is for you +to say whom you desire to fill your offices. But +be sure that you make no mistake. Rush may +be a most estimable young man, but you must +remember that he is young."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not so young that he didn't save the lives +of a lot of the men," cried one.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush, Rush, Rush!" roared the miners.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> +"All in favor will rise," announced Driscold.</p> + +<p class="indent">He plainly showed his irritation, as did +Cavard. The meeting had taken a turn that +they did not like. Still, the organizers had won. +Affairs were practically in their own hands.</p> + +<p class="indent">Every man in the room sprang to his feet, +shouting for the Iron Boy.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Young Rush is unanimously elected," announced +Driscold. "The newly elected officers +will take their places."</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard took the chair. At that moment several +men swooped down toward the place where +the boys were sitting.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob Jarvis was so amazed that for a moment +he did not speak.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What are you going to do, Steve?" he stammered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am going to accept," announced the lad +in a determined tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You—you are going to join the union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"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."</p> + +<p class="indent">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.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<p class="h2a">RUSH SCORES HEAVILY</p> + +<p class="indent">"I AM glad you have thought better of it, +young man," said Cavard, leaning over +and shaking Rush by the hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not reply. His face was flushed, his +lips compressed. He had evidently decided upon +some course of action that was not wholly pleasing +to him. He glanced up sharply. Driscold +was speaking.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is not usual for one man to hold two offices, +but you will agree with me that there is one +man among us who is peculiarly fitted for the +office of walking delegate. He will always work +in our interest, if you choose him to fill the +second office. I refer to Mr. Cavard, your new +president."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Duke was elected walking delegate with +great enthusiasm, Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis +being the only men in the room to vote against +the proposition. Cavard was smiling to cover +his annoyance at the marked way in which the +boys had opposed him. He flashed a malignant +glance at them, which both lads pretended not +to observe. But they knew that they had made +an enemy of the new walking delegate.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page110" id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> +Other officers were elected; men in every instance +who could be easily handled by the one +at the head of the new organization. This having +been done, the president asked if any +member had anything to say, or a suggestion to +make, before they proceeded to the signing of +the roll.</p> + +<p class="indent">No one spoke. Each was waiting for the +other. In fact, none of the men in the hall had +a very definite idea as to what he did want. +They were already in the hands of their leaders.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush rose slowly to his feet. Every +eye was instantly fixed upon him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Great Cæsar, he's going to spout!" muttered +Bob Jarvis. "Well, if this doesn't beat +anything I ever heard of in my life! A few +hours ago Steve was roasting the union, and +now he's a red-hot member of one. I wonder +what he's got up his sleeve? He's up to something, +that's sure."</p> + +<p class="indent">"My friends," began the lad, with perfect +confidence in himself, for he had been the prize +orator of his class in the high school, "I am +only a boy——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No you ain't; you're a full-grown man!" +shouted several voices at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">"As I said, I am only a boy, but you know +I am your friend, and all of you are my friends. +I had not intended to join this organization, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page111" id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> +but after thinking the matter over I decided +that it was my duty to do so. I had a feeling +that I might be able to help you, though perhaps +not in the way that some of your leaders might +suggest——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard rapped loudly with his fist on the +table.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are out of order, Mr. Secretary. I am +sorry, but we have too much business ahead of +us to permit of our wasting time in idle talk. +The hour is getting late, and as it is the first +duty of your presiding officer to look out for +your well being, I would suggest that we finish +our business so that you may all get home to +your needed rest."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was standing, half turned toward +Cavard, holding the latter with a steady gaze.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no; let him talk. We want to hear +what he has to say. Go on, Rush; we're going +to hear you out, even if we don't get home till +morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may speak for two minutes," announced +Cavard. There was no smile on his +face now. Matters were taking an unexpected +turn, and one that he did not like at all. This +boy was having things too much his own way, +and the Duke made a mental resolve to check +Steve effectually before another meeting was +called.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page112" id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> +"Go on, Rush; go on!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad turned facing his audience again, undisturbed +by the interruption.</p> + +<p class="indent">"As I was saying, I am your friend and you +are mine. I have had no experience with unions. +Perhaps others of you have. But I want to +warn you not to be carried away by promises. +Use your own best judgment on all matters. +Let your union mean your uplifting. Don't use +the power of your union for any wrong purpose. +If you have a grievance at any time, talk it over +calmly; look on both sides of every question. +Do not let your leaders influence you against +your better judgment——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I protest against this line of talk," cried +Cavard angrily, rising and pounding on the +table. "It is treason, men."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men, it is <i>not</i> treason! I am your friend," +answered Steve, addressing the audience. +"Hear me out, then I will sit down. I believe +that our employers have our best interests at +heart. That I believe to be true so far as our +own mines are concerned. Of course I am not +so familiar with conditions in the independent +mines represented here. Those of you who represent +other mines will have to be the judges of +that. You will find your employers are willing, +at all times, to meet you half way and discuss +any grievance, fancied or real, that you may +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page113" id="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> +have. Consult them freely; take them into your +confidence and be guided by their advice and +your own good sense. As for myself, I shall +stand shoulder to shoulder with you when I believe +you are in the right, but against you if I +believe you are not. I want to thank you for +electing me to the office of secretary. If, at +any time, you think I am not the man for the +place, I shall take no offence if you select someone +else. That is all I have to say at present."</p> + +<p class="indent">When he sat down there was silence in the +room for a moment; then the miners broke out +in a loud cheer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're all right, Steve. You bet we don't +want anyone else. You've got a head on your +shoulders. You——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard rapped for order.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid you men are being carried away +by schoolboy eloquence. You must listen to +the reason, born of long experience, of your leaders. +They will guide you in the right path."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I move that we proceed to the signing of +the roll and adjourn," said Steve, rising quickly.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob seconded the motion and it was carried +without waiting for the formality of having it +put by the chairman.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard was thoroughly angry. He tried hard +to conceal his displeasure, but the threatening +expression of his face betrayed his inward rage. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> +He had been outdone by a boy. His well-laid +plans had been turned until they were as a sharp +knife against his own throat. He was perfectly +willing that the meeting should be adjourned, +for there was no telling what this keen, resourceful +lad might propose next.</p> + +<p class="indent">The moment the meeting was ended the two +lads slipped from the room, for the hour was +late and they were anxious to get home and to +bed. They had reached the street when a hand +was laid roughly on Steve's shoulder, turning +the boy half way about.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean, you young whelp?" demanded +Cavard. "You came here to-night to +make trouble. You wanted to break up the meeting, +but your plan didn't work, did it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are mistaken, sir; I wanted to do nothing +of the sort."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You did; you <i>know</i> you did. You had it +all fixed to be put in as secretary and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If there was any fixing, Mr. Cavard, it was +not on my side of the house," retorted Rush +sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean to insinuate that I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no; I am not insinuating. I was merely +stating a fact."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Duke's face was distorted with rage. He +was making a great effort to control himself, but +was only partially successful. It was not advisable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> +to have an open rupture with Steve, for +the latter might do his cause serious harm, considering +the boy's influence over the miners, +which appeared to be almost equal to that of +the walking delegate and president of the union.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are a traitor to the union!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Be careful, sir," warned the lad.</p> + +<p class="indent">"See here, Mister Man, don't you go to handing +out any loose language around here," spoke +up Bob Jarvis in a belligerent tone. "We don't +stand for any of that kind of talk, you know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then be careful that you don't do something +that you will be sorry for," retorted the Duke. +"I know a thing or two about what you fellows +are up to, and let me tell you that the union +won't stand for it by a long shot! First thing +you know you will be out in the cold; you'll +lose your jobs and you will find that it will be +rather difficult to get others in these parts."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is that a threat?" demanded Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may construe it as you wish."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tut, tut; what's this?" demanded the man +Driscold, who had come up in time to overhear +the last remarks. "This won't do at all. +Harmony is what we want in the union, and +harmony is what we must have. What is the +difficulty here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is no difficulty so far as we are concerned, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> +replied Rush. "Mr. Cavard is a little +excited, that's all. He will feel better to-morrow. +Good night."</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys turned away abruptly and started +for home.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, Steve Rush, will you please tell me +what all this means?" demanded Jarvis after +they had reached their room. "What on earth +ever possessed you to join the union after you +had been roasting it so hard?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I had my reasons, Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I suppose you had."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I joined the union because I believed I could +be useful to it, and to our employers as well, +and that is the purpose that <i>you</i> must have in +view."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't mean that you and I are going +to be spies and report everything to Mr. Penton, +do you? If that's the case, you may count me +out."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly not. You ought to know me better +than that. What sort of speech did I make?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Say, it was a dandy! I didn't think it was +in you. You ought to have seen how those fellows +hung on every word. They were sitting +forward on the edges of their seats, every man +of them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Except Cavard and Driscold," laughed +Steve. "I rather think <i>they</i> were on the anxious +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page117" id="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> +seat. Well, we shall see. But be careful that +Cavard does not draw you into an argument +that will cause you to lose your temper. I have +an idea he will try to do so, unless he thinks +better of it and tries some other plan. I believe +that man is a crook, Bob Jarvis. I may +be doing him a wrong. If so, time will tell. In +the meantime, we shall do what we can for the +union. I hope Mr. Penton will not lose confidence +in us. He may misunderstand our motive. +If he does, we shall have to stand it; that's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It may be the means of losing our jobs," +suggested Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was thoughtful.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I may have done wrong, but I did what I +believed to be best. Out of the union we should +not have so much influence with the men. In it +we shall be able to do many things for both +sides, being loyal to each."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We're going to try to please everyone—is +that it?" grinned Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If we are able to do it," replied Steve earnestly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How are we going to explain our action to +Mr. Penton?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I shall not try to do so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But if he asks?" persisted Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I can't answer that beforehand. My answers +must depend upon circumstances."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> +The boys turned in soon after that, but Steve +Rush lay awake for a long time, thinking over +the events of the evening. He was wondering +whether he had done right; wondering whether +the officials of the company, who had been so +kind to him, would misconstrue his motives and +no longer take their former keen interest in +him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've done the best I know how, and I'm not +done yet," muttered the boy, as he turned over, +buried his head in the pillow and tried to go to +sleep.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">MINERS MEET IN SECRET</p> + +<p class="indent">"WELL, Steve, I hear you joined the new +union last night," said Mr. Penton, +halting in the drift where Rush was +directing some changes in the work of his shift.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boy flushed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir. I hope you have no objection to +my having done so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not in the least. We have nothing to fear +from such upright men as you in the union. I +wish they were all of the same calibre. I want +to thank you for the speech you made last night. +Such words do much toward steering the men +in the right direction. I may say that I am very +glad you decided to join."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I had decided not to do so, until I met and +talked with you before going to the meeting last +evening."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How so?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You gave me a new point of view. I decided +that it was my duty to join and I did so. +Do you think Mr. Carrhart will mind when he +hears of it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He knows all about it now. He knew that +the meeting was going to take place, perhaps +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> +even before you learned of it," answered the +superintendent, with a twinkle in his eyes. "Of +course that is confidential, you understand."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may be sure that when he understands +the circumstances he will offer no objections. +I know all about what took place last night, +and I heartily approve of your part in it. We +have means of knowing what is going on in our +mines. We have to do these things for our own +protection."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve felt much more light of heart after this +conversation. That his superiors approved of +his action in joining the union relieved him of +a great weight.</p> + +<p class="indent">By this time the mine had been whipped into +working condition once more, and the work was +going on with renewed vigor. The men, too, +with the promises of the labor leaders still fresh +in their minds, went about their duties much +more cheerfully than before.</p> + +<p class="indent">However, there were, if anything, more meetings +than before. There were conferences outside +of the mine that the Iron Boys knew nothing +about. Neither did Mr. Penton have knowledge +of these secret meetings, in spite of the detective +organization that existed in the mines unknown +to the miners themselves. Cavard himself did +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> +not appear to be active, but there were others +who were active for him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ten days had passed, then another meeting +of the union was held. There were not more +than twenty of the members present. The young +secretary was among the absentees.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard called the meeting to order, commenting +upon the small attendance. Then he made +a speech in which he indulged in some plain +talk regarding the purpose of the union. After +he had done so he said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is another matter that I wish to bring +before the members. That is the question of +our secretary. He is a most estimable young +man, but you—those of you who listened to his +remarks the other night—will agree with me that +he is too young, too inexperienced to be entrusted +with so important an office. It should +be quite plain to you that he is not in thorough +sympathy with our great work. In other words, +I believe that he is the tool of the bosses. I +have good reason for saying this, though for +obvious reasons I hope my words will not be +repeated. One of our members saw the boy, +Rush, in earnest conversation with the superintendent +down in the Red Rock Mine to-day, +and overheard something that aroused his suspicion. +Rush was reporting some of our private +business. What do you think of that?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> +A murmur arose from the audience. Cavard +waited that the full force of his words might +take effect.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's a traitor!" shouted a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should not want to say that, men. I should +call him an irresponsible boy, who is serving +the purposes of the bosses without being fully +aware that he is doing so. Of course the matter +is in your hands to dispose of as you may +see fit."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Put him out!" shouted one of the members.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Down with all traitors!" cried another.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. President, this is a serious charge that +you have made against our secretary," said an +elderly miner. "You are quite sure that he is +a traitor to the union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite sure."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then what would you suggest?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"As I have already said, I do not believe the +boy is so much to blame, but the effect is the +same as if he were a traitor in reality."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What shall we do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You might, if you saw fit, choose another secretary," +purred the Russian.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; that is what should be done under the +circumstances. But is such an act in order?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes. Charges can be preferred against +him. We have as yet no by-laws. Some one +might make a motion to depose him, if you think +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> +best, embodying the charges in that motion; +then we can proceed to choose another secretary," +urged the chairman. "The matter is in +your hands, gentlemen," he added, rubbing his +palms together. "It is not for me to suggest."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who would you put in his place?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is not for me to say, but some such man +as Mike Caldert might make an excellent secretary."</p> + +<p class="indent">The motion, as suggested by Cavard, who +would not suggest, was made and quickly carried. +Then Mike Caldert was duly elected as +the permanent secretary of the organization.</p> + +<p class="indent">A gleam of satisfaction shone in the eyes of +the Russian. He had triumphed over the Iron +Boy, thus effectually disposing of him, as he believed. +Cavard was a shrewd and unscrupulous +man, and one who would stop at nothing to accomplish +his ends, as Steve was presently to +learn.</p> + +<p class="indent">This matter having been disposed of, the president +and walking delegate cleared his throat and +began on a new subject that claimed the attention +of the men at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is another matter, and one of great +importance to every man in every mine on the +range," he began. "That is the question of +pay and of hours. We are working ten hours +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> +a day and we are getting less money than is +paid by the other mines in the country."</p> + +<p class="indent">This statement was not true, but the members +present were not aware of the fact. They took +all that Cavard said as the truth.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is time," he continued, "for us to take +action in the matter. You should formulate +your demands and present them to the owners +for their consideration. The bosses are making +money. There never has been a time in the +history of the mines when they were making +so much money. Your tonnage is increasing +day by day, and day by day you are doing more +work. But let me ask you, do your wages increase +proportionately? Do you work fewer +hours than before?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No!" shouted a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you share in the profits that you are +piling up for the money kings?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No! You're right, we don't."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then if that is so, why is it so? It is because +those who employ you are squeezing the lemon +until it is dry, in order that their bank accounts +may grow fat. Take the matter into your own +hands——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We will, we will! How shall we do it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The men had become worked up to a high +pitch of excitement over their leader's words, +which had been skilfully chosen. He had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> +touched the men in a spot where he knew they +were the weakest. He had sown the seed that +was destined to produce a bountiful crop of bitter +weeds, and Cavard, president and walking +delegate, smiled complacently behind the hand +that he drew across his mouth after having +delivered himself of the words.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How shall we go about it?" repeated one +of the men.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have here a few notes that I drew up +hastily. They form a demand upon our employers +for an eight-hour day and a fifty-cent +rise for full miners, and twenty-five cents for +miners' helpers and all grades below that. It +is a most moderate demand. The owners will +grant it, you will find, knowing as they do that +the power of the union is behind you. I will +appoint a committee to formulate the demands +set down here. Then we will name a further +committee to call upon the superintendent and +present these demands."</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard named a committee of three, to whom +he passed over, not merely notes, as he had said, +but a formal paper drawn up in detail, embodying +the facts as stated by him.</p> + +<p class="indent">The committee went through the form of +touching up the document, making a mark here +and there with a pen and discussing the paper. +Finally they announced their task finished.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> +"When shall we present our demands to the +superintendent?" asked the president.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Right away," answered the members.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then I will appoint five of our number to +call upon the superintendent to-morrow. Your +chairman, of course, will head the committee +as its leader. We will make an appointment +to see Mr. Penton at his office to-morrow evening +at eight o'clock, if he will see us, and I +think he will," added Cavard. "I want all of +those present to bear witness that this has been +a regular meeting. You all received your notices +to be present this evening, did you not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We did."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And you are prepared to give evidence, if +necessary, that everything has been done in +due form?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then, if there is nothing more to come before +the members, a motion to adjourn will be in +order."</p> + +<p class="indent">A motion to adjourn was made and carried, +and the members left the meeting place, Cavard +retaining the papers embodying the demands +to be made on the company.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush, all unconscious of what had been +done, was sound asleep in his bed. But a surprise +was awaiting him on the following day +that would set him thinking harder than ever.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">STEVE'S SUSPICIONS AROUSED</p> + +<p class="indent">"ARE you going to the meeting to-night?" +asked a foreman of a shift, pausing +at Steve Rush's main drift.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, yes, of course; aren't you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess so. I hear there will be something +doing to-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">This conversation took place on the day following +the meeting at which Cavard had so successfully +outwitted his young opponents and had +carried the meeting through in accordance with +his own ideas. As yet neither Steve nor Bob +had heard of the meeting. They, with others of +their fellows, had received cards that morning +saying, "There will be a special meeting of the +union this evening at the usual time and +place."</p> + +<p class="indent">The cards were undated and they had not +thought to look at the post mark, taking for +granted that the meeting was to be held on the +evening of that day.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There ain't going to be any meeting to-night," +volunteered a miner who had overheard +the conversation.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, there is. Here is the card saying that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> +there will be," answered Rush, exhibiting the +card he had received that morning.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Naw; no such thing. The meeting was <i>last</i> +night," continued the miner. "Ain't you heard +about it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve looked at the fellow to see if he were +joking. He saw that the man was in earnest.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There was a meeting of the union last +night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sure there was."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do you know?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Friend of mine was there and told me about +it. And you ain't heard about it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I certainly have not. What was done?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"A lot of things was done."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's queer. My postal notifying me of +the meeting did not reach me until this morning. +When did you get yours?" asked the lad +of the foreman with whom he had been talking.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I got mine this morning, too."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That explains it, then; but it is odd that +no one said anything about it yesterday."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Probably didn't get their cards till after +supper last night. Well, I guess we didn't miss +much," added the foreman, with a grin.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You haven't told us what was done," said +Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, for one thing, they elected a new secretary. +Didn't you know about that?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> +Rush peered at the man keenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"See here, Abe, are you joking?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Naw, I ain't joking. They bounced you and +elected another man in your place."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve could scarcely believe his own ears.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why did they do that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. I didn't ask. But they +bounced you, all right, all right."</p> + +<p class="indent">"May I ask who my successor is?" inquired +the lad, with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. I didn't ask that, either."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you think of that?" demanded the +boy, turning to the foreman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't believe it. They wouldn't be such +fools as to do a thing like that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am of the opinion that something was done +there, and it seems mighty queer to me. Have +you seen Cavard to-day?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I passed him when I was coming over +here. He must be somewhere hereabouts now. +We'll walk out, and maybe we shall meet him," +said the foreman.</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men made their way out of the drift +together. Steve was silent and thoughtful. He +did not like this thing that he had heard, nor +did he know what to make of it.</p> + +<p class="indent">They did not find the Duke at once, but half +an hour later Steve came across the walking +delegate near the ore rise on the twentieth level.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> +"Oh, Mr. Cavard," he called.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, Rush; what is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hear you had a meeting last night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We did. Why were you not there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because I knew nothing about it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you received a notice, did you not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"This morning, yes. I supposed from the +card that the meeting was to be held to-night. +I understand others did not receive theirs until +to-day, either."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then that accounts for the small attendance," +answered Cavard smoothly. "The cards +were mailed rather late, but it was quite important +to hold a meeting last night. I wondered +why so few were present. It was most +unfortunate, for very important business was +transacted."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I heard. May I ask what was done?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Several things were attended to," replied +the man evasively.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Including the election of a new secretary?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, yes; I believe so."</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard showed some slight irritation under +the sharp questioning of the Iron Boy.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The question came out with a snap.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You should have attended the meeting if +you want to know what was done. We are not +supposed to talk about it on the outside."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> +"Yes; no doubt I should have attended, but +I did not for the reason I have just given. Why +was I deposed and another put in my place?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, to be candid with you, since you insist, +the members did not think you were old +enough, nor that you had had experience enough +to warrant keeping you in such an important +position. You see, they chose you in a moment +of intense enthusiasm. After they had thought +the matter over more calmly they came to the +conclusion that it would be better to have an +older man for the place, so they elected another."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Caldert."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mike Caldert?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve laughed uproariously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, that man can barely write his name. +I'll wager he cannot write correctly the name +of the state in which he lives."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think you are mistaken," replied the walking +delegate, drawing himself up frigidly. "At +least I have nothing to do with that. It was the +will of the meeting, and there was nothing for +me to do but to put to vote the motions that +were offered."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve surveyed the walking delegate with a +sarcastic look on his face.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> +"Has Caldert the minutes of the meeting, or +have you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I believe he has them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then I shall demand to see them to-night. +I want to know what was done at that meeting, +and I think I have a right to know. I shall +bring the matter before the next meeting and +find out whether you have the right to railroad +through a piece of business like this. It's not +that I care a rap about holding the office, but +I don't propose to be done out of it in any such +way without finding out what it all means."</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard saw possibilities of trouble.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't be a baby. Take your medicine like +a man. You are proving that you are not fitted +for an office in the union yet. When you get +older and have had more experience, then perhaps +you may do."</p> + +<p class="indent">There was an implied sneer in the man's tone, +which his smiling face failed to mask.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed! I shall bring the subject before the +next full meeting of the union, just the same, +and we shall see whether it will stand or not."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look here, young man!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The walking delegate dropped his mask of +assumed politeness. His chin was thrust forward +and his eyes gleamed with anger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've been too easy with you—easy because +you are a boy. Now I'm done with this foolishness. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> +This is a man's game, and men are going +to play it. You can get out of the union if you +want to; we don't need you. But let me tell +you one thing: you mind your own business +after this, if you know what's good for you! +I'm running this union just now, and I'm running +it in the way that suits me best—that means +the right way. If you don't like it, you get out +and shut up—that's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve laughed in the delegate's face.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now you are beginning to show yourself in +your true colors, Mister Man. I don't want your +office. I did not care in the first place to have +anything to do with an organization that you +were interested in, but I thought possibly it +might be run by honest men, so I joined the +union."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's that? You throw that at me—you +accuse me of being dishonest, you young +whelp?" shouted Cavard in a rage.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Take what I said for what it's worth, and +I repeat your own words: 'If you don't like +it, get out and shut up.' That's my answer."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve snapped his fingers in the face of the +walking delegate and turned on his heel. +Cavard was at his side in a few quick, long +strides. He gripped the collar of the Iron Boy +and was about to spin him about when Steve +turned on him.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> +"Unless you are looking for trouble, I +wouldn't put hands on the other man in this instance, +if I were you. If you do that again, +you will answer for it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed! And may I ask you if you are in +authority here?" sneered Cavard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, all I have to say is, if you want to +know who's boss on this shift, just start something. +You'll find out mighty quick, and the +knowledge may not be particularly pleasant to +you, either. That's all I have to say to you +to-day. I may have something further to say +later. Good afternoon."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush left the walking delegate fuming in the +drift as he walked away. The Iron Boy made +it his business to ask every man he met whether +or not he had received a notification of the meeting +of the previous evening. Some of them had +received their notices that morning, others had +received no notice whatever. Not one of the +miners had gotten his card on the previous day, +so far as the lad could learn.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was determined to get to the bottom of +the matter. He consulted with Bob Jarvis and +the latter proposed looking up the walking delegate +at once and giving him a sound thrashing.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, Bob, we don't know that he is to blame +in this matter at all, though I have my suspicions. +Even if we were sure, we should gain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> +nothing by following that course. There, I forgot +to ask him what else was done at the meeting. +After we get off duty to-night we must +find out what has been going on. I'll see you +and talk it over later."</p> + +<p class="indent">As soon as he had finished his work in the +mine Rush went directly over to the post-office, +where he waited until the postmaster was at +leisure, when he called him aside.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I received a postal card to-day that I should +have had last night," said the lad, producing +the notification of the meeting and handing it to +the postmaster.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did you say?" exclaimed the postmaster.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I said I should have received this post card +last night," repeated Steve. "You see it is quite +important. It is a notification of a meeting and +the meeting was held last night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't see how you could very well have +received this postal last night, when it wasn't +mailed until this morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not mailed until this morning?" demanded +the lad, in well-feigned surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you sure of that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I ought to be. These postals—there were a +lot of them—were stuffed in through the slot in +the door some time during the night. It must +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> +have been late, for we didn't close until nearly +twelve o'clock. The postals were all on the floor +when I opened up the place this morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you read any of the postals?" asked +Steve innocently.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes, I always read postals. Don't have +much of anything else to do part of the day, +you know," replied the postmaster in a matter-of-fact +tone. "Why, what's in the wind? No +trouble about it, is there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There may be," replied the lad mysteriously. +"But if you will state the facts when called +upon to do so, there will be no trouble so far as +you are concerned. Will you do that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I'll do that, all right. It won't violate +any regulation of the department that I know +of."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you. Say nothing to anyone of what +I have asked you to-night, please."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I have got something on our friend, +the walking delegate, now," muttered the lad +triumphantly, as he made his way toward home. +He had gone but a short distance when he met +five of the members of the union, all dressed in +their best, hurrying along the street.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve halted and peered at them suspiciously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, where are you fellows going?" he +demanded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"To the superintendent's office."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> +"What for?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are going to present our demands. You +know the document we decided to present to +him to-day?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not know, but he did not say so.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are going there now?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; Mr. Cavard is going to meet us there +at eight o'clock. We are the committee. You +lost your secretary job last night. That's what +comes of being too fresh," jeered the speaker.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So that's the game, is it?" muttered Steve. +"I should like to be present at that committee +meeting. And I'm going to be there, too," he +added, after a moment's reflection. "They can +do no more than put me out."</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<p class="h2a">MINERS MAKE DEMANDS</p> + +<p class="indent">"YOU go on about your business. You do +not belong with this committee," +snapped Cavard as the Iron Boy joined +them at the entrance to the superintendent's +office, where the meeting was to take place.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If the superintendent doesn't wish to see +me I will leave. You have no business to give +me orders, so attend to your own affairs, if +you will be so good."</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad slipped in behind the others and stood +near the door of the private office, where, with +the others, he was awaiting the arrival of Mr. +Penton. The latter entered very shortly afterwards.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you this +evening?" questioned the executive smilingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard cleared his throat, assuming his most +suave air.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the first place, Mr. Penton, we are a duly +authorized committee with power to wait upon +you. This boy Rush is not a member of the +committee. We represent the newly formed +union. Will you kindly ask the boy to withdraw?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> +The superintendent elevated his eyebrows in +mild surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is he not a member of the union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," admitted Cavard with evident reluctance.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And you are here in the interests of the +union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then I see no objection to his remaining. +If you are here in the interest, as you say, or +in behalf of the men of our own mines, any one +of the other men is free to be present and to +hear all that takes place between us. Rush, sit +down, if you wish."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve, without showing either triumph or satisfaction +in his face, quietly seated himself +against the wall. Cavard's face was dark, but +he made no reply to the superintendent's word +in the matter.</p> + +<p class="indent">"As I already have said, we represent the +new union," continued the Russian. "At a +meeting last night certain grievances that have +long existed in the mine—that is, you understand, +it is the union speaking, not myself personally?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, certainly. Go on," smiled the superintendent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certain grievances were taken up and discussed. +The result of that discussion was the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> +drawing up of certain demands, which the miners +believe you will not hesitate to grant. It had +been understood that these concessions already +had been under consideration by the mine +officials."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am not aware that any particular concessions +to the miners have been contemplated. +What are your demands?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The demands of the union are for an eight-hour +day and an increase in the scale of wages. +Neither demand is at all unreasonable——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me see your papers," interrupted Mr. +Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">The walking delegate and president handed +the paper containing the miners' demands to +the superintendent. Mr. Penton read the document +through quickly, then went over it again.</p> + +<p class="indent">"These are very radical demands, Mr. +Cavard," he said, glancing up at the walking +delegate.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We think not, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And in the event of these demands being refused, +may I ask what it is the purpose of the +members of the union to do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is a matter for future consideration. +I have no doubt, however, that a satisfactory arrangement +can be made between us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What mines are included in the union?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"All of the mines belonging to this company, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> +both surface and underground, together with the +independent mines on the range. The other and +independent mines have been represented by +delegates at the meetings thus far."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say this was decided upon at the meeting +last night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And it was a wholly representative meeting?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was, sir. The delegates from the various +shafts were on hand, though many were unable +to attend."</p> + +<p class="indent">"May I say something, sir?" asked Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly. What is it, Rush?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I merely wish to present for your consideration +the fact that I believe the meeting at which +these demands were drawn up was not a representative +one. Many of us did not receive our +notifications until this morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That was your own fault," interjected +Cavard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I beg to differ with you. The notifications +advising us that the meeting was to be held last +night were not mailed until midnight last night, +after the meeting had taken place, Mr. Cavard, +and you know that is the truth. It was a 'fixed' +meeting and I am willing to go before a representative +gathering of the union and prove that +fact."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> +"I object!" shouted the Duke. "I did not +come here to be insulted by a young loafer like +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton hammered on the table with his +fist.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gentlemen, that will do. Mr. Rush is not +a loafer. I consider him a young gentleman +and an honest man. If his point is correct, I +have but one thing to say."</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard's face worked nervously. He was +making a violent effort to control himself. Mr. +Penton was eyeing the man keenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you can show me that these demands have +been approved by a full and representative gathering +of the men in our employ, then I will not +only take your grievances into consideration, but +will transmit them to the officers of the company +for their decision. You no doubt know +that it is not within my power to grant such +sweeping demands as these. Unless it is the +expression of a majority of the men, I decline +to give the matter any attention whatever."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you going to take the word of an irresponsible +boy against that of a man of experience +and recognized standing among the +men in your employ?" almost shouted Cavard, +who was rapidly losing his self-control.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am of the opinion that Rush's standing +is equally as high as your own. You thought +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> +enough of him to make him the secretary of your +organization. As such, he surely should be entitled +to attention and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He is not the secretary of the union. The +men fired him out last night. He was——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard checked himself suddenly. His face +flushed. He had said something that he had +not intended to say at all, but his temper had +gotten the better of him, leading him into an +unwitting admission.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush grinned sarcastically.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is this true, Rush?" demanded the superintendent, +turning toward Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am told that it is," replied the boy politely. +"I have not yet learned why, but I have a fairly +good idea."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And what do you propose to do about it, my +lad?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am going to see to it that the men understand +the trick that has been played on them. +I am going to let the majority of them know how +they were fooled as to the meeting. I think they +will be rather surprised. But I beg your +pardon; I have said too much."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should say you had," muttered Cavard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The interview is closed, gentlemen," announced +Mr. Penton. "You have my ultimatum +in the matter. When you can come to me properly +authorized, I will give your demands consideration, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> +and not until then. I have nothing +to do with your differences in your organization. +I do know, however, that Mr. Rush is a young +man whose word I would take as far as that of +any man I know. Good evening, gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="indent">The superintendent rose, indicating that the +interview need not be prolonged.</p> + +<p class="indent">Very much crestfallen, the delegates turned +toward the door, followed by Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will hear from us again, Mr. Penton," +announced Cavard, speaking with emotion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You young whelp, you'll suffer for this evening's +work," raged the walking delegate when +the callers had regained the street. "I'll see +to it that your path isn't one of roses hereafter. +I give you fair warning. I am the master here, +and you will find that out to your sorrow."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It has been my experience," answered Steve, +"that men who make the loudest threats are the +least to be feared. Let me tell you, while I have +the opportunity, that the best thing you can do +is to carry on the affairs of the union honestly. +Otherwise you will go down, and the union will +go down with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve turned away. Once more he had defeated +the walking delegate and president of the +union by a masterful move.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A WARNING NOT HEEDED</p> + +<p class="indent">THE word that was spread by Cavard and +his associates during the next few days +acted as a torch to the minds of the +miners. That the superintendent had almost +turned them out of his office was the information +that reached the miners from various sources.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the meantime the organization was being +perfected, not from any regular meetings that +were being held, for Cavard did not propose to +move again until he was fully prepared. At +the same time Steve Rush began to realize that the +men were looking upon him with disapproving +eyes. He had been a traitor to their cause, +according to the information that had been +subtly instilled into the miners' minds. At first +he did not understand what this new attitude +meant, but gradually the truth began to dawn +upon him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush held many conversations with the men +who, in the past, had been friendly to him. He +saw, however, that their minds had been +poisoned against him, and he well knew the +source from which the poison had come.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob Jarvis had shared in the dislike that was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> +growing for Steve Rush, but Bob did not care +particularly. He was a self-reliant boy, well +used to looking out for himself and battling his +way through the world. Steve, on the other +hand, felt that there was a greater principle +involved—the welfare of the men themselves, +who, he believed, were being misled. And still, +beyond this, was the duty of the Iron Boys to +their employers. Steve had not seen Mr. Penton +since the meeting in the latter's office.</p> + +<p class="indent">Before the end of the week notices were sent +out for a meeting of the union. This time every +man in the organization received a notice, this +reaching all the miners of the Red Rock, Cousin +Jack and the independent mines.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was an activity on the part of all hands, +never before observable on the iron range. +Cavard, in the short time that the union had +been organized, had formed such a combination +that his power and influence were far-reaching. +His lieutenants were working everywhere. The +plot he had formed was now ready to be put +into effect.</p> + +<p class="indent">A definite refusal to accede to the demands of +the miners had been received from the main +offices of the company, no matter whether the +demands were endorsed by every man on the +range or not. The company announced that it +proposed to run its own business.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> +While Mr. Penton did not wholly approve of +the attitude of the company, believing in more +pacific measures, he had no alternative in the +matter. Cavard had been notified of the decision +of the officials, and had been told that no +farther conferences could be had, at least for +the present.</p> + +<p class="indent">When Steve heard this he shook his head +doubtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That means trouble, Bob," he said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It strikes me that there has been nothing +but trouble for a long time," answered Jarvis. +"What do you think the men will do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you going to the meeting to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. We shall both go. I have an idea that +it will be a lively meeting. We may not be welcome, +but we shall be there, just the same."</p> + +<p class="indent">That night, as Steve was hurrying to his +boarding place, he met Cavard's sister Marie, +who kept house now for the walking delegate. +She was a pretty young woman, and though +Steve never had known her well, she had taken +a great liking to the young miner, having urged +him, on various occasions, to call and see them. +Rush never had done so because he did not like +her brother.</p> + +<p class="indent">Miss Cavard stopped squarely in front of +Steve, barring his way.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> +"Good evening, Mr. Rush," she greeted, extending +a friendly hand. "You were in such a +great hurry that I thought you were going to +run over me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I beg your pardon, I didn't see you," answered +the lad apologetically. "I am in something +of a hurry to get home and dress for the +meeting to-night, after I have had my supper."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just like your name, sir; always in a rush. +You haven't even time to come and see us. I +am beginning to think you do not care to have +us for your friends."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tell me frankly why you have always refused +my invitations to visit us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Frankly, Miss Cavard, your brother and myself +are not very friendly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is that the reason? He thinks that you have +not been loyal to the union."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boy drew himself up proudly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We will not discuss that subject, Miss +Cavard."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, I will walk along with you, since you +are in such a great hurry. Because you and my +brother are not friendly is no reason why you +and I should not be friends, is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps not, but it is better that we should +not be friends under the circumstances."</p> + +<p class="indent">Miss Cavard laughed softly.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> +"You are a very out-spoken boy, I must say. +You tell me you are going to the meeting to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; of course."</p> + +<p class="indent">They had been walking along side by side. +Miss Cavard halted suddenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why should you go?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am a member of the union and I must do +my duty whether I accomplish anything or not."</p> + +<p class="indent">"<i>Don't</i> go!" she said almost sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't go?" repeated Steve slowly. "Why +not, pray?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear boy, I am some years older than +you. I have had more experience with the world, +and perhaps I am better able to understand some +things than you are. You are young and impulsive, +and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But why do you advise me not to go to the +meeting?" persisted the lad.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot answer that question. I was in +hopes you would not ask. You must not press +me for an explanation, for I cannot give it. +But please stay away from that meeting to-night. +You can do no good. Everything is settled. +The temper of the men has been aroused, +and I fear there will be trouble."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Trouble for whom?" demanded Steve, bending +suspicious eyes upon her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, that I cannot say. Ask me no questions, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> +for I shall not answer them. Don't you see what +a risk I am running in saying as much as I have +said?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I beg your pardon, Miss Cavard; it was +very thoughtless of me. I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"And you will remain away?" she asked +eagerly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I already have answered that question. It +is my duty to be there, and no one shall ever +say that Steve Rush shirked his duty as he saw +it. I am not afraid of anything the men may +do there. No one will harm me. I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do not be too sure of that," interjected the +girl quickly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thank you, but I must go. I am not +afraid."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am sorry." She laid a hand on the Iron +Boy's arm. "I am sorry you will not be warned +by me, for trouble surely will follow. You will +treat what I have told you as an absolute confidence?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That goes without saying, Miss Cavard. I +thank you very much. I cannot tell you how +grateful I am for your kindness. I should not +have expected it from Mr. Cavard's sister."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Cavard's sister is not——" The girl +checked herself sharply. "Good night, Mr. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> +Rush. If you will not accept my warning, be +careful," was the young woman's parting injunction.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve pondered over the interview while eating +his supper. Then while he was dressing +for the meeting, Bob demanded to know what +was on his mind.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you heard anything about expected +trouble at the meeting to-night, Bob?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing except what you said. You told me +there was going to be trouble, didn't you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess I did, at that. Well, perhaps I +wasn't so far wrong. I want you to stick pretty +close to me to-night, for I have had a warning +that something is in the wind."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob gazed at his companion keenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What have you heard?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing more than I have just told you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who gave you the tip?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am not at liberty to say. Perhaps it is a +false alarm, but it is just as well to be prepared. +The miners are very much excited. Have you +heard anything else of interest to-day?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; nothing but what you have heard. The +men are all down on the bosses, and are making +all sorts of threats."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I know that," nodded Rush. "It's too +bad. If anything serious comes of this it will +be due to one man."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> +"The Duke?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have guessed it. Little does he care +for the welfare of the men. He is working for +Cavard, and for no one else. The man craves +notoriety and power, and he is having more than +his share of both just now. Did you ever meet +his sister?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Once. She seems to be a mighty fine +woman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So she impressed me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why did you ask about the sister?" demanded +Jarvis, his eyes narrowing as he +squinted suspiciously at his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You ask too many questions. Hurry up, or +we shall be late. It is nearly eight o'clock now, +and the meeting is called for eight."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which means nine. None of them ever gets +there on time, except the fellows who don't +spruce up as much as we do."</p> + +<p class="indent">A few minutes later the Iron Boys were on +their way to the meeting place. Before they +reached the hall—the meeting this time taking place +in the town hall, which was much larger +than the place where they had first met—the lads +found themselves in a great crowd. Voices were +pitched high, and loud conversations were being +carried on in many languages.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is something like what I imagine the +Tower of Babel must have been," laughed Rush. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> +"What a mob! Poor, misled fellows! They believe +they have been greatly wronged. If they +only knew how well they are treated there would +be few to attend a meeting of this sort."</p> + +<p class="indent">No one appeared to pay any attention to the +Iron Boys as they made their way through the +crowd and up the stairs into the big room, where +a couple of hundred men had already assembled.</p> + +<p class="indent">Everyone in the room was talking and gesticulating +excitedly. The boys were thankful +that they had been able to gain their seats without +attracting any marked attention.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard had already taken his place on the +platform, where, with his new secretary, he was +going over some papers spread out on a table +before them.</p> + +<p class="indent">Inside of twenty minutes after the arrival of +the Iron Boys the hall was packed, every seat +being taken, while rows of men four or five deep +lined the sides of the room and the aisles.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard rose, swept the assemblage with a +half-triumphant glance, then rapped for order.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The meeting will please come to order," he +said quietly, standing motionless for a moment +after perfect stillness had settled over the big +room. The effect of his attitude was not lost +on the miners. They were already deeply impressed +with the importance of the occasion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The secretary will please read the minutes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> +of the last meeting," directed the chairman, resuming +his seat.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mike Caldert, the new secretary, rose awkwardly +to his feet, and, in a halting voice, read +the minutes that, it was evident to many, had +not been penned by him. He stumbled over the +unfamiliar words, mispronouncing, running sentences +together, completely ignoring all punctuation +marks.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush and Jarvis were deeply interested in the +reading of these minutes, especially the part that +dealt with the deposing of Rush from office and +putting another man in his place. This part +the chairman read after having taken the book +from the hands of the secretary in order to give +the reading more emphasis.</p> + +<p class="indent">During the reading Steve's face was pale but +calm, while Bob sat opening and closing his +fingers nervously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now look out for happenings," whispered +Steve, smiling grimly.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE VENGEANCE OF THE MOB</p> + +<p class="indent">"IT'S an outrage!" exclaimed Jarvis in a +loud tone, causing those about him to look +sharply in his direction.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve gripped his companion's arm.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Be quiet," he whispered.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob subsided, but it was with difficulty that +he restrained himself from giving vent to his +wrath. Both lads remained silent until the reading +of the minutes had been completed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If there are no objections to the minutes of +the last meeting, as just read, they will stand +approved," announced the chairman. "There +being no objection, they are ap——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush rose slowly to his feet in an impressive +stillness. Every eye in the room was +turned in his direction.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I object to the adoption of the minutes as +read," said the Iron Boy in a steady voice which, +while not loud, carried to every part of the room.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard's face darkened.</p> + +<p class="indent">"On what ground?" he demanded sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"On the ground that the last meeting was +illegal—that it was no meeting at all. The last +meeting was a secret meeting, attended only by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> +those whom certain persons in this organization +wished to have present——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are wrong!" said the chairman. "The +meeting was perfectly regular, as you and every +other man here well knows. You are insinuating +that the members of this union have acted dishonestly. +You are casting a slur on every man +here."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sit down!" yelled a chorus of voices.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Shut up, or get out!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men, I haven't finished yet. I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, you have! <i>Sit down!</i>"</p> + +<p class="indent">Some one jerked the lad back into his seat, +but whether it was a hostile or a friendly act +Rush was unable to determine. He could not +even tell who had done it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The minutes stand approved," announced +the presiding officer, smiting the table a resounding +whack with his gavel. "What is the further +pleasure of the meeting?"</p> + +<p class="indent">There was no reply at once. Finally a man +in the rear of the hall spoke.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What about the company's treatment of our +demands for more wages and less work?" he +asked.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the matter that we have come here +to discuss," said Cavard. "In view of the fact +that I acted as the chairman of the committee +that called upon Mr. Penton it will be proper +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> +for me to speak on the subject before this meeting. +We presented our petition, which the +superintendent agreed to consider after it had +been endorsed by a full meeting of the union. +Instead of giving it proper consideration, however, +we have received notice that our committee +will not be welcome; that the company will run +its own business. In other words, the company +has broken faith with us. The remedy lies with +you. I am your servant. But let me ask you, +are you going to submit to the tyranny of the +bosses? Are you going to let them trample you +under their feet?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no!" roared the miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then assert your manhood! Show them that +you are men; that you are determined to fight +for your liberty and your homes."</p> + +<p class="indent">In his subtle, unscrupulous manner, Cavard +was working up his hearers to a high pitch of +excitement.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is anarchy!" cried Steve, but his voice +was lost in the uproar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your brothers in the independent mines are +in the same situation. They are ready to join +with you in any action you see fit to take. Their +delegates are here with us to-night to tell you +so," continued Cavard glibly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes!" cried a man in the centre of the hall +whom Rush remembered to have seen in company +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> +with the walking delegate on various occasions. +"We are among the downtrodden. We +are ready to fight, shoulder to shoulder, with +you, for our rights."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's a put-up job," whispered Jarvis in his +companion's ear.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve nodded. "It is a crime," he added. +"Those poor, ignorant fellows are being led as +if they were dogs at the end of a leash."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where are our friends?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid there are not many of them +left—not enough to do any good. I see few of +them here to-night. Perhaps they understood +what was going to happen even better than we +did, and decided to remain away."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is for you to act," urged the chairman +insistently. "Now is your time to assert yourselves."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I move that we send an ultimatum to the +bosses, saying that unless they meet our demands +by the sixth of the month we will strike."</p> + +<p class="indent">"They won't agree to your demands, men," +urged the chairman. "They have already told +you that. Any delay is so much more money in +the pockets of the bosses. I do not wish to +influence you; I merely want to point out the +facts to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then we'll strike here and now!" yelled +a miner, springing to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> +Steve recognized in him another of the walking +delegate's lieutenants.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes! Strike, strike, strike!" howled a hundred +voices. Men leaped to their feet, yelling +madly, beside themselves with excitement.</p> + +<p class="indent">The walking delegate, by skilful manipulation, +had stirred the men to a dangerous pitch. They +were ready to do and dare anything. The mob +spirit had taken possession of them. A few moments +more and they would be past all control. +Cavard saw this. Such a situation he did not +desire. His must be the master hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">The chairman pounded on the table with his +gavel until it broke, the head shooting over +among the excited miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">Little by little quiet was restored.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are accomplishing nothing. Did I hear +someone make a motion a short time ago?" +asked the presiding officer suggestively.</p> + +<p class="indent">The miner who had called for a strike rose +to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Chairman," he began, "I make a motion +that this union declare itself opposed to the +rule of the bosses, and that we call a strike, +beginning at midnight to-night, in all the mines +on the range, both those belonging to the company +and the independent owners, as well."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hear, hear!" yelled the audience.</p> + +<p class="indent">A gleam of satisfaction lighted up the face +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> +of the chairman for the moment, after which +the expression in his eyes grew steely.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Second the motion," shouted a chorus of +voices.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have heard the motion, gentlemen. It +has been moved and seconded that the Amalgamated +Mine Workers call a strike in all of the +mines, beginning at midnight to-night. Are you +ready for the question?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Question, question, question!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stop!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush sprang to his feet. He waved his +hat to attract the attention of the miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stop, men! You are about to make a great +mistake. Do you know what a strike means? +It means that your families will suffer; it means +starvation for your wives and children. You +have been led into this by soft words and false +promises. That man," pointing to the chairman, +"is using you to serve his own selfish purposes. +The Duke isn't your friend. He +is your worst enemy, and I will prove it to you +before I have done with him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Throw the boy out!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Order! You are out of order!" shouted +Cavard. "I shall have you ejected from the +hall unless you cease this tirade. Men, there is +a motion before the house and the question has +been put."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> +"I insist upon being heard," shouted Steve +Rush. "I accuse that man of base trickery. I +demand that you give me a chance to say what +I have to say. Then I will leave the hall if +you wish, but I'm going to speak."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Put that man out! He is a traitor to the +union!" thundered the presiding officer. "He +is the mouthpiece of the bosses."</p> + +<p class="indent">A wave of hissing swept over the room, as +if all the serpents of the jungle had suddenly +been let loose.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He is the tool of the bosses! What shall we +do with him?" yelled a man, leaping to the +bench on which he had been sitting.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Throw him out!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There's two of them," yelled another.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Throw them both out! They're traitors!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Traitors, traitors!" thundered the mob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All in favor of the motion to strike say +'aye,'" roared the chairman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Aye!" was the response from hundreds of +throats.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Carried. We strike at midnight," announced +the chairman.</p> + +<p class="indent">The diversion of voting on the motion had, +for the moment, drawn the attention of the men +from the Iron Boys. Steve was still standing. +His face was flushed and he was gazing at the +excited faces about him intently.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> +"Traitor, traitor!" screamed the mob once +more, turning their attention to the slim young +fellow who was facing them so calmly.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 448px;"> <img class="border" src="images/iron2pic3.png" width="448" height="700" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">"There is the Traitor!" Cried Rush.</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"There is the traitor!" cried Rush, pointing +to the triumphant Cavard. "That is the man +who has brought this about, and all for his own +gain. He is as crooked as the tram road on +the sixteenth level in the Red Rock Mine."</p> + +<p class="indent">With a yell, the mob surged toward the spot +where Steve was standing. Bob Jarvis slowly +rose to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We're in for it, Steve," he said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It looks that way. Stand fast!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You bet I will. I am just spoiling to crack +a few of those wooden heads."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Back up toward the wall. There is an opening +there now," directed Rush, stepping out into +the aisle and moving a few paces away from +the place where they had been sitting.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men, you're making a mistake!" called +Steve. "I am your friend, and one of these +days you'll learn that I am. I have been your +friend all the way through, but that man has +poisoned your minds against me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Throw him out!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"<i>Kill</i> the traitor!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The words were repeated in several different +language. Huns, Finns, Italians and others +made a wild rush. There were those in the audience +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> +who were on the side of the Iron Boys; +there were those who would have taken their +part had they had the courage to do so. The +rage of the mob frightened the timid friends +and they quickly made their way from the hall +that they, too, might not fall victims to the anger +of the miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve saw some of his supposed friends sneaking +away and his lips curled scornfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">A Finn made a vicious pass at Rush's head.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve planted a powerful blow between the +fellow's eyes, the man toppling over backwards +into the arms of his companions. Ere the victim +had been pushed out of the way two other +men had shared the same fate.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look behind you, Bob," cried the Iron Boy, +as he began striking right and left.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob turned just in time to avoid a blow that +had been aimed at his head. He ducked and +saved himself. As he came up he planted a blow +on his assailant's jaw, sending the man to the +floor and rendering him unconscious.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on, you miserable cowards!" bellowed +Jarvis. "We can't thrash all of the people all +of the time, but we can thrash some of the people +some of the time."</p> + +<p class="indent">At this moment Steve had grabbed a fallen +miner by the heels. The man was slight. Steve +picked the fellow up and hurled him right into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> +the face of the mob that was pressing in on him. +Several men went down, but they were up again +in a twinkling and charging the slender lads +with redoubled fury.</p> + +<p class="indent">During the tumult Cavard had made no effort +to restore order. He stood calmly on the platform +at the end of the hall, a grim smile of +satisfaction on his face. He had known full +well that this was coming, for he had skilfully +brought it about. Little did he care if the Iron +Boys were killed. There could be no responsibility +on his part. He fervently hoped that they +would at least be so thoroughly beaten that they +would trouble him no further.</p> + +<p class="indent">Thus far the lads had held their own. They +were cool and collected, while those opposing +them had lost all control of themselves. This +gave the boys a slight advantage, but the lads +knew they could not expect to hold out very long +against those hundreds of angry men, who were +fighting each other in their mad efforts to get +at the "traitors," as they called the Iron Boys.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was fighting with as much coolness as +if he were in a friendly boxing match, except +that his blows were delivered with considerably +more force. Bob was proving himself a whirlwind, +charging this way and that, using both +feet and fists, all to equally good advantage. +Many a shin felt the sting of his heavy boot and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> +many a face bore the marks of his heavy fists +for days afterward.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come down here, you coward, and I'll give +you a dose of the same medicine!" yelled Jarvis, +chancing to catch the eye of the presiding officer +in a brief lull in the fighting. "It's coming to +you, and you're going to get it some time, even +if you don't to-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly Steve slipped and fell to the floor. +Bob sprang to his assistance, jerking his companion +to his feet. But the move was fatal.</p> + +<p class="indent">A kick from a heavy boot laid Bob Jarvis unconscious +on the floor.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a yell Steve Rush hit the man who had +delivered the kick, knocking him clear over two +benches that had not yet been smashed in the +scrimmage. In doing so Rush had turned his +back on the most persistent of his enemies. They +were not slow to take advantage of the opportunity +thus offered, and leaped upon him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve went down under the weight that had +been suddenly put upon him, fighting, struggling, +wriggling desperately to free himself. But the +odds were too great, and besides he was exhausted +by his exertions. He realized that the +fight was ended so far as he was concerned.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Kill the traitors!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No—throw them out! Beat them up!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, throw them out! That will settle them. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> +It isn't our fault if they fall out of the window," +yelled Cavard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Out with them both!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Someone jerked Rush to his feet, and as he +did so, another planted a blow on the boy's jaw. +Steve's head drooped to one side and his face +turned suddenly pale. He would give them no +further trouble, for he had been rendered unconscious +by the cowardly blow.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The window!" yelled a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, out with him!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard's suggestion of a moment before had +taken root. Instantly the miners began dragging +the unconscious Steve toward the nearest +window. It was closed, but that made no difference.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, he-o-hee!"</p> + +<p class="indent">There followed the sound of crashing glass +and breaking woodwork as the form the Iron +Boy went hurtling through the window, taking +the sash with him in his flight.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now the other!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Two men grabbed Jarvis, one at his feet, the +other at his head. Bob followed in the wake of +his companion, turning a complete somersault +as he shot through the window. Bob had the +advantage of Steve in that he had no window to +break through. His was a clean flight, but his +fall was none the less a serious one.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> +The drop that the boys had taken was all of +twenty feet. What was below not one of the +strikers cared.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard pounded on the table for order.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gentlemen, gentlemen," he cried. "You are +forgetting yourselves! Now that you have removed +the disturbing elements, you will please +come to order and we will proceed to finish the +business of our meeting. You should not have +handled them so roughly, though I am forced +to admit that your anger was justified. What +is the further pleasure of the meeting?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I move we notify the mines and tell the +night shifts to knock off," suggested a man with +a cooler head, who had taken no part in the uprising.</p> + +<p class="indent">Slowly the men resumed their places, and the +meeting settled down to business again.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">FACING THEIR ASSAILANTS</p> + +<p class="indent">JARVIS was the first to recover himself. +He found himself lying half on the body +of his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Steve, Steve!" he cried. "Are you much +hurt."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush did not answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob, as soon as he could pull himself together +sufficiently to do so, began shaking his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wake up, wake up!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Huh?" muttered Steve, twisting and trying +to raise himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank goodness, they didn't kill you," exclaimed +Jarvis, hugging his companion delightedly. +"Where are you hurt?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I—I thought the house fell on me. What +was it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing much. I just landed on you from +a second story window—that's all. It's a +wonder I didn't break every bone in your body."</p> + +<p class="indent">A pile of rubbish had been thrown out that +afternoon, in cleaning up the hall for the evening +meeting. There were papers, excelsior, burlap +and other soft substances in the heap. It +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> +was on this heap that the Iron Boys had fallen +in their plunge from the second story, and to +that heap of rubbish they no doubt owed their +lives. As it was, however, they were badly +bruised and shaken.</p> + +<p class="indent">"They must have thrown us out," said Rush, +sitting up and rubbing the bruised spots on his +body. "The hounds! But no, I shouldn't blame +them so much. Cavard is the man who incited +them to violence. Bob, I believe he planned, +before the meeting, to do that very thing. I +was warned not to come here to-night, and the +person who warned me was in a position to +know what plans Cavard had in mind."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who warned you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You asked that once before, and I told you +I could not tell you. I wouldn't under any +circumstances give the name of the person who +warned me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me help you up."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was painfully getting to his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; I am able to take care of myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Came pretty near having a fight, didn't we?" +grinned Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Almost," admitted Rush. "The ones I most +wanted to hit weren't in that mix-up. That is +my greatest regret. Another is that we had to +damage some of the men who were once our +friends."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> +"Served them right! They don't deserve +sympathy," growled Jarvis. "We didn't give +it to them hard enough. I guess some of them +won't forget the walloping they got for many +days to come."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How about ourselves?" questioned Rush, +laughing mirthlessly. "It occurs to me that you +and I are pretty well banged up. I can't see +how you look, but I think I must resemble the +last rose of summer, with all the petals blown +off. My, but my head aches!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never mind," soothed Bob. "You are not +the only one. There are others, and there are +other headaches just as bad as yours. What +shall we do now?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is the meeting still going on?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I hear them up there. They are finishing +up the business that we interrupted, I +reckon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm going up there," announced Rush with +decision.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wouldn't, if I were in your place. You are +in no sort of shape to get into any more trouble +to-night," advised Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not intend to get into trouble. Bob. But +I am going back for a moment, just the same."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then I'll go with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well; but don't stir up any more +trouble. We have had enough, and I am not +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> +sure that we are entirely blameless, but I could +not sit there and see that man leading the men +into trouble, urging them on to their own destruction, +as it were."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You might as well have kept still, for all the +good it did."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I guess that's so. You and I seem +fated to get into trouble. Somehow we can't +keep out of it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Unless we are thrown out," suggested +Jarvis, at which both boys laughed as heartily +as was possible with their aching bodies. The +laugh did more to restore them to a better frame +of mind than anything else could have done at +that moment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on, then; we will go up as far as the +door."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I just want to say something, that's all; then +we will go home, where we might better have +stayed in the beginning."</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boys approached the front of the +building and started to enter. They found their +way barred by a guard at the foot of the stairs.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You can't go in here," warned the man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who says we can't?" demanded Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"<i>I</i> say so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, you don't count. We're going in, just +the same, and if you get funny I'll throw you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> +out into the street. If you follow us up and +raise a disturbance I'll kick you down stairs. +I feel just like kicking somebody real hard," +growled Jarvis savagely, thrusting a belligerent +chin close to the other man's face. "Go on, +Steve; he won't bite."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, I hardly think he will," smiled Rush, as +he started up the stairs, followed by his companion, +the latter turning every few moments +to see if the guard were following them. The +fellow had prudently remained at the foot of +the stairs. Perhaps he had seen something of +the hitting powers of the Iron Boys.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush stepped into the meeting room +and came to a halt about even with the chairman's +platform.</p> + +<p class="indent">Every eye in the room was instantly focused +on the lad. He did not present a prepossessing +appearance. His clothes were torn and covered +with dirt, his face was streaked with blood where +it had been cut when he crashed through the +window in his flight from the hall, while his +hands were in a similar condition.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard discovered him about this time.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Young man, haven't you caused enough +trouble for one night, without coming back looking +for more?" demanded the chairman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have not returned to look for trouble. I +have come for one thing, to warn you."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> +"Against what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Against trouble. I presume you have voted +for a strike?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The members of the union have done so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then let me tell you that that action, which +you brought about by underhand scheming, +marks the beginning of your downfall, Mr. +Cavard. I believe you to be a scheming scoundrel, +and I shall make it my business to expose +you to the men who are following you so +blindly now. Look out, Mr. Walking Delegate +and President. It's a pretty long level that +doesn't bring up against a hard rock heading +sooner or later. I wish my name taken from +the roll of the union. I do not wish to belong +to any organization that you are connected with. +That is all I have to say to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Out with you, before I order you thrown +downstairs!" shouted the head of the union. +"You can't resign, because you've been bounced. +The men fired you out of the window; then +they fired you from the union, you and your +handy-fisted friend there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you. Good night. When you men +and your families are suffering from hunger and +cold, perhaps you may remember the warning +I have given you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve turned on his heel and limped down the +stairs, with Bob as a rear guard.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> +"Hey, Steve!" called Jarvis, halting at the +door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is it?" demanded Rush, halting outside +the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Shall I hand this guard one for luck? Shall +I punch him, just once, good and hard?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly not. He hasn't done anything to +you. We have had enough fighting for one night. +Besides, I am lame and sore, and I want to get +home. Come along."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jarvis followed, but reluctantly. He could +hardly restrain himself from thrashing the grinning +guard at the foot of the stairs.</p> + +<p class="indent">When the Iron Boys removed their clothes +and took their bath they realized, for the first +time, how roughly they had been handled. Their +bodies were covered with bruises, but their +faces were unmarked, save where Steve had +been cut by the glass when he was hurled +through the window. There were many other +men, however, whose faces had not fared so +well, and they would bear the marks of the Iron +Boys' fists for days to come.</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys were in bed soon after. On the morrow +they were to awaken to new experiences. +Ahead of them was a great strike, in which the +Iron Boys were to play a tremendously important +part, and during which they were to win +new laurels.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">PROMOTED BY THE PRESIDENT</p> + +<p class="indent">AT midnight every mine on the range shut +down.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ten thousand men were out for the +time being. Not all of these were in sympathy +with the strike, of course. Many were loyal +to their employers, and would have continued +at their work, but the superintendents of the +various shafts gave orders to shut down the +mines until the following day, when other plans +would be made.</p> + +<p class="indent">At daylight on the following morning the +private car of the president of the mining company +entered the town. Mr. Carrhart and Mr. +Penton were in consultation in the latter's +office half an hour later. The president had +been through strikes before. He knew what +they meant, and his face wore a serious expression.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't care so much on our own account, +Penton. We have a million tons of ore on the +dumps at the mines now, enough to keep us going +until navigation on the lakes shuts down. I feel +sorry for the men, and for their innocent families. +Who is this man Cavard?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> +"I always have considered him a bright, capable +man. He is an inspector, as you know. +I never saw anything wrong about him until +this matter came up. But I believe he has been +organizing the men for some time. Rush accused +the fellow, in my presence, of carrying +this thing through from dishonest motives."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, Rush! What about these boys? Then +they are not in sympathy with the strikers?" +questioned the president.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. They both joined the union, not, I believe, +because of any sympathy that they felt +for the movement, but in the light of after +events, it is plain to me that Rush saw what +was coming, and thought he might be able to +stem the tide. It was too big a task for him. +He did not fully appreciate the magnitude of +the task that he had set for himself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"They are splendid boys," continued Mr. +Carrhart, the lines of his face softening perceptibly. +"Splendid boys. Tell me about their +part in this affair."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton did so. He related to the president +the incidents connected with the Iron Boys +joining the union. Of their having pitted themselves +against the man Cavard, of Steve Rush's +speeches and of the fight in the meeting on the +previous night, when the boys had been handled +so roughly.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> +"The cowards!" exclaimed Mr. Carrhart, +thumping the superintendent's desk with a +powerful fist. "They deserve no sympathy, +and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean the leaders deserve no +sympathy?" corrected Mr. Penton.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Do you know how the boys are this +morning—whether they were seriously hurt or +not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"They went home after the meeting—after +they had reëntered the meeting room and withdrawn +from the organization. I have not heard +from them this morning, of course."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Please send over to their boarding place +and find out as soon as you think the people +there are up. I should like to see the boys some +time this morning if they are able to get out. +If not, we will go to them," announced the president +with emphasis. "How many of our men +will stand by us?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have no idea. Not very many."</p> + +<p class="indent">"While there is no necessity for our turning +a wheel for the rest of the season, we must do +so for the moral effect it will have on the strikers. +We must not give way for a moment. We +already are paying our men better wages than +almost any other mine in the country. It is not +the principle of this corporation to grind its +men down, but to pay them all they can earn. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> +Yet there is a limit beyond which we cannot go. +Have you any suggestions to make, Penton?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I should notify the men that if they +wish to declare the strike off and go to work +within twenty-four hours, all will be taken back +without prejudice and given work all winter. +Otherwise the mines will be manned by others +when we get ready to work them. I should get +into communication with our mine captains and +find out if our engineers, pump-men, electricians +and other practical men are to be depended +upon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It shall be done at once."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And we must not forget about our young +friends, Rush and Jarvis," continued Penton. +"I fear we shall have violence before this strike +is ended. The union has plenty of money for +a long fight, but I do not believe a large amount +of it will get to the men themselves, from what +I know about their leaders."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should imagine not. I will go back to my +car for breakfast and you can make your reports +to me there. That, perhaps, will be best. Better +have your notices gotten out at once."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will do so."</p> + +<p class="indent">When the miners went out on the street that +morning they found the town placarded with +the notices, as directed by President Carrhart. +Groups quickly gathered about these notices, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> +those who could read translating the notices to +those of the foreigners whose knowledge of English +was limited.</p> + +<p class="indent">Soon these groups were engaged in excited +discussions. The word went out that a meeting +of the union would be called for nine o'clock. +This meeting was of the briefest nature, lasting +not more than twenty minutes. A stirring address +by Cavard was the final argument necessary +to clinch the matter. The strike was on, +and the men were going to stand fast until the +bosses should yield, which the walking delegate +assured the men the former would soon do. +That owners could not afford to hold out for +more than a month at the longest was the promise +made to the striking miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">The meeting ended amid wild enthusiasm, +after which the men strolled about the streets, +well satisfied with themselves and thoroughly +enjoying the liberty and freedom of their new +situation.</p> + +<p class="indent">No overtures were made to the mine owners +by the leaders of the strike that day. Cavard +proceeded exactly as if the mine officials did not +exist. Word of what had been done at the +morning meeting had been quickly carried to +Mr. Carrhart. The president smiled grimly.</p> + +<p class="indent">The latter had just finished his breakfast when +Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis presented themselves +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> +at the private car and were quickly admitted. +Mr. Carrhart greeted them warmly, +bidding them be seated.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will talk with you while I look over my +mail and telegrams. Rush, you look as if you +had been pretty roughly handled."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush colored.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess I must have been."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But we gave them something to remember +us by," retorted Jarvis. "There are some sore +heads in that crowd to-day. I saw a few of +them on our way here this morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush, I want to thank you for your efforts +in our behalf. It was a brave thing to do, in +the face of the excitement of the men. The company +will not forget what both of you have done. +It is unnecessary for me to ask whether you two +are going to stand by the company."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir; it should not be necessary for you +to ask. There never was a moment when there +was any doubt about it. Are you going to operate +the mines just the same, if I may ask?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," answered Mr. Carrhart, after brief +reflection. "Of course we shall not be able to +get out much ore, but we shall do the best we +can to show the men that we are independent."</p> + +<p class="indent">"When do you wish us to go to work?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Probably at one this afternoon, though this +depends upon whether the superintendent is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page183" id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> +able to operate the machinery. I hear you have +doubts of the honesty of the man Cavard. What +do you know about him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not very much, sir. I know that he did a +very crooked thing in mailing most of his notifications +for a meeting after the meeting had +taken place. Evidently he had privately notified +those whom he wished to be present."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hm-m-m! What was Cavard's motive?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know, but I do know that I consider +him a dangerous man. He has a remarkable influence +over the men. He can lead them into +anything he wishes. Is there no way that he +could be arrested and checked?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Carrhart laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That would be making a martyr of the man. +No; we cannot have him arrested until he has +done something that makes him liable to arrest. +Even then it would not do unless the men +could be convinced that he was working solely +for his own selfish interests and against theirs."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then we'll prove it," announced Steve Rush +with emphasis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, we will!" agreed Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Carrhart gazed at them quizzically.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You boys almost make me believe that you +will do what you say. I am half inclined to +believe you will prove it, if you say so. Rush, +I am going to give you Cavard's position. I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" id="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> +am going to make you a general inspector in +the mines. It is a sort of roving commission, +but it will give you authority to do pretty much +what you like, of course acting under the instructions +of the superintendent."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you wish me to do especially?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Keep the mines going, or help to do so. See +to it, so far as possible, that the company's property +is protected. I do not apprehend any +violence just yet, but it will come unless we are +able to break the backbone of the strike before +cold weather sets in. Do not be headstrong, +but work with caution. You will be in danger +before we have done this. I hope you will both +be careful, for we can't afford to lose you boys +just yet, and now we need the services of every +loyal man in our employ. Report to Mr. Penton +when you leave here, and he will give you your +directions for the work of the day. You will +act as inspector for both the Cousin Jack and +the Red Rock Mines. And, Jarvis, I think I +will have you act as assistant to the mining captain +of the Red Rock. Curb your temper and +keep your head level."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir; I'll try," answered Bob, smiling +happily. He was delighted at his promotion.</p> + +<p class="indent">The interview being ended, the boys bade the +president good morning and hastened to the +office of the superintendent. Angry looks were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" id="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> +directed at them as they passed along the street, +but the Iron Boys gave no heed. They went +on about their business as usual.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Penton was not in when they arrived. He +came in soon after, and the lads told him what +Mr. Carrhart had said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's good," said Mr. Penton, rubbing his +palms together. "I have arranged to have the +machinery working at one o'clock to-day. All +the engineers are loyal and I have assurance +that quite a number of the men are willing to +stand by us. We shall have quite a respectable +force at work this afternoon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then we will go over now and start in," +said Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys found fully a hundred men about +the shafts of the two mines. When the strikers +saw that the boys were going down into the +mine they set up an angry shout. Jeers filled +the air.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Scab! Scab! Scab!" howled a hundred +voices. But the Iron Boys held themselves +steady, and, entering the cage, were shot down +into the mine.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" id="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A COWARDLY BLOW</p> + +<p class="indent">A TRAINLOAD of miners was brought into +the town on the following morning. Not +half a dozen of them got to the mines. +Pickets halted the men at the station and +"argued" to such good purpose that the newcomers +joined the union then and there, save +for a few who slipped through the ranks of the +pickets and made their way to the mines.</p> + +<p class="indent">This kept up for several days. As fast as +the company sent new men into the mining +region the strikers would "gobble" them up. +The strike was being strengthened every day.</p> + +<p class="indent">The face of Cavard, the walking delegate, +wore a self-satisfied smile. All his well-laid +schemes were working out according to programme. +The only real opposition that he had +had, that of the Iron Boys, had apparently +wholly disappeared.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve and Bob were not idle, however. Aside +from their daily work in the mines, they had +set for themselves the difficult task of gathering +sufficient evidence against Cavard to prove to +the striking miners that their leader was merely +using the strike for his own selfish purposes.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> +There was more or less work done in the +mines, though no large quantity of ore was +being mined. However, the company was making +a very respectable showing, owing to the +efforts of the Iron Boys, who accomplished the +greater part of the executive work that was +done. Mr. Penton's time was largely taken up +on the surface, while the mine captains spent +most of their hours at the mouths of the shafts, +looking out for the safety of the shafts and +the machinery.</p> + +<p class="indent">The striking miners had held themselves well +in check so far as the company's property was +concerned. They made no attempt to damage +it, but the loyal men had suffered. Of late the +strikers had taken to beating the men as they +came from work, whenever the strikers could +lure a man out of the sight of others.</p> + +<p class="indent">This caused some of the workers to quit. They +had become frightened. Threats were being +circulated that the workers would be even more +roughly handled if they did not stop working +and join the strikers.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve had not seen Miss Cavard since the evening +when she had halted him and warned him +against attending the meeting. He had thought +over that warning several times since. It told +him that the attack on himself and companion +at the hall had been part of a prearranged plan. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> +Miss Cavard evidently had learned of it through +her brother, and she had sought to dissuade +Steve from attending the meeting.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There must be some good in the girl, or she +wouldn't have done that," Steve decided as he +was passing the Cavard home one evening.</p> + +<p class="indent">The strike had been on for about six weeks, +and thus far the Iron Boys had avoided coming +into conflict with the strikers, though the lads +had been goaded almost to the point of desperation +every time they showed themselves at +the shaft, or where the strikers were congregated +in the village. The strikers often sought +to draw the boys into a fight, so that they might +have a good excuse to beat the lads.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush and Jarvis were too shrewd to be caught +in the trap. By this time they had become more +and more a thorn in the side of Cavard. They +were interfering with his plans. Their activity +was too great to suit him, and the walking delegate +planned to rid himself of his young foes +in a way that would effectively dispose of them.</p> + +<p class="indent">As Steve was passing the Cavard home on +the evening in question, he glanced up and saw +Miss Cavard standing on the front door step.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good evening, Mr. Rush," she greeted him. +"Won't you come in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, thank you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wish you would. I want to talk to you."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> +"You will excuse me, but I could not think +of entering your brother's home, Miss Cavard."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He is not at home. He is away much of +the time now. I feel that I may trust you, Mr. +Rush. I do not approve of my brother's actions, +but he is my brother, just the same."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I understand," murmured the boy.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You remember an occasion, some time ago, +when I begged you not to attend a certain meeting, +do you not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do, indeed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You saw that my warning was not idle chatter?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I like you, Mr. Rush. You are a fine young +man, and I am going to warn you again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, more trouble?" smiled Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There may be."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is it this time?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot tell you, for I do not know. I +do know that you have enemies who are plotting +to do you harm. They will get you yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am not afraid of them," answered Steve, +drawing himself up proudly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know that. That is what worries me. +What can you, a boy, do against a great crowd +of men who are getting desperate? Oh, what +terrible things these strikes are! How my heart +aches for some of the wives and children of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span> +striking miners! They are actually suffering. +I am doing what I can for the worst cases, +and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can I help you, Miss Cavard? I should like +to help someone who is suffering," said Rush +quickly, evincing a sudden interest in what the +girl was saying.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps you might, but that is not what I +wanted to speak with you about. I want to +warn you again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I am listening. What is the great +danger that threatens me this time?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I told you I did not know. But you must +leave town. You can take a vacation. I am +sure your employers will be glad to give you +one. Why not go home and visit your mother +until this strike is ended?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush gazed at the girl suspiciously. For the +moment he harbored a suspicion that the girl +herself was a part of the plot she said was being +hatched against him. But he put the thought +aside as unworthy.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I couldn't do that, Miss Cavard. I should +be a coward if I did, and no one shall accuse +me of cowardice. I am going to stay here as +long as the company has use for my services. +If I am assaulted I shall do the best I can to +defend myself. You may tell your brother that +I do not fear him, if you choose."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page191" id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> +"I shall do nothing of the sort," answered the +girl sharply, flushing. "I wish I might say +something that would change you, that would +make you heed me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I appreciate your kindness; believe me, I +do, Miss Cavard, but my duty is to my employers, +and here I shall remain. If I get the +worst of it, I shall know that I have done my +duty——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There comes my brother. You must go."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve swung down the street at once. Half +way down the block he met Cavard face to face.</p> + +<p class="indent">The walking delegate stopped directly in front +of the young man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, my friend, what do you think of the +strike now?" demanded Cavard in a mocking +tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do I think? I think it is the greatest +outrage that was ever perpetrated on a body +of men who have not the power to think for +themselves. You will have much to answer for +at the day of reckoning, Mr. Cavard."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll pass all that, Rush. I have been talking +with the men lately. They express themselves +as being sorry for the way they used you. They +want to make amends——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I should judge from the way they act +toward me when they meet me outside," interrupted +Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> +"That has all been a mistake. The men who +have annoyed you are not the representative +miners. They are the men who have been +brought in here by the company. A pretty tough +crowd——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know who they are. You need not try to +tell me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Our members have commissioned me to ask +you to attend our meetings."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What for? So they can give me another +drubbing?" demanded the lad.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no; you do not understand. They want +to apologize. They want you to come back into +the union. Believe me, it is the best thing you +can do. Should you refuse I cannot answer for +the consequences. The men are getting worked +up to a high pitch. I do not know how long I +shall be able to control them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You must think me a fool!" replied the Iron +Boy. "Of course I shall not join the union. +I have had enough unionism to last me for the +rest of my life, if all unions are like this one. +I do not believe they are, however."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Take my advice and join."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I took your advice once, and as a result I +have some of the marks on my body still. I +understand your purpose. You think I am a +little too active, and you take this as the best +way to rid yourself of the annoyance," added +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page193" id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> +the boy shrewdly. "No, thank you. My activity +will continue until I have shown you to your +blind followers in your true colors."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve started to pass Cavard, whereupon the +latter quickly stepped in front of him, barring +the Iron Boy's progress.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's eyes snapped dangerously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you going to let me pass?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not until I have finished what I have to +say to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you going to let me pass, or have I +got to knock you down first? It must be one +or the other."</p> + +<p class="indent">For a moment the man and the boy stood +looking into each other's eyes. Cavard towered +half a head above the Iron Boy, and he was +strong in proportion. There were few men +in the mines possessing greater strength than +the president of the union.</p> + +<p class="indent">A sudden flush suffused the face of Cavard. +Without an instant's warning he let go a powerful +blow straight at the head of Steve Rush.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XX" id="XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<p class="h2a">LAMB CHOPS FOR THE BABY</p> + +<p class="indent">QUICK as the blow had been, the Iron +Boy had not been caught unawares. +He had been watching the eyes of the +walking delegate, and he had read the man's +purpose some seconds before the blow was +struck.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve swerved his head an inch to one side, +permitting the blow to shoot over his shoulder.</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad leaped lightly back in order to have +more room in which to swing his body, then +drove his fist straight out from the shoulder. +The fist landed squarely on the point of the +walking delegate's jaw.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard had been caught off his guard. He +had not looked for such a sudden return, and +the failure of his own blow to land had thrown +him off his poise.</p> + +<p class="indent">The walking delegate turned half way about +under the force of the blow, wavered for a brief +instant, then measured his length on the wooden +sidewalk, flat on his face.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm sorry I did that," muttered Steve, with a +revulsion of feeling. "But I had to, or I should +have been roughly handled."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> +He turned Cavard over, looking into the man's +pale face. Cavard was dazed, but Steve saw +that he was not seriously hurt and would recover +in a minute.</p> + +<p class="indent">The boy's inclination was to hurry away. He +conquered it. He was too much of a man to +do a thing like that, so he stepped back a few +paces, where he stood with folded arms waiting +for his victim to recover.</p> + +<p class="indent">This Cavard quickly did. He staggered to +his feet unsteadily, still dazed and uncertain. +All at once he fixed his eyes on the face of the +Iron Boy.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You—you whelp! You—you'll suffer for +that cowardly blow. I'll—I'll hound you out +of the camp, or else I'll——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get run out yourself," finished Steve. +"Good night."</p> + +<p class="indent">With that the lad turned and walked briskly +down the street. Cavard stood gazing after him +for a moment, then started unsteadily for his +own home. Could Steve Rush have seen the +expression on the face of the walking delegate +at that moment, he might possibly have thought +better of his determination to remain in the mining +town and fight his unequal battle.</p> + +<p class="indent">The lad also had started for home, but he +was destined to be still further delayed. His +experiences for that night were not yet at an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page196" id="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> +end. A heavy hand was all at once laid on his +shoulder with a grip so powerful that the boy +winced.</p> + +<p class="indent">He whirled about, expecting to find himself +face to face with Cavard, and ready to do battle.</p> + +<p class="indent">Instead, Rush found a giant form towering +over him, peering down into his face.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, Olsen; is that you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The man nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder Olsen was an Icelander, a veritable +giant in stature, and known to be a man possessing +great strength. He had been forced +out with his fellows when the strike was called. +Steve had never passed half a dozen words with +the Icelander. The latter was a taciturn man, +but one who could do a day's work that was +the wonder of the men who worked with him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you want, Olsen?" demanded +Steve, trying to release himself from the other's +grip.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You make this strike, huh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What—why certainly not. What made you +think I did?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men say you tell bosses not to pay us money. +Then we must strike and get more. Huh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"They have told you lies, Olsen. I tried to +prevent the strike. I knew how much you would +all suffer if there were a strike, but the men +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page197" id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span> +would not listen to me. You may go to work +if you wish to. There is nothing to hinder your +doing so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not have me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes, they will."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You come with me, huh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where to?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come; I show you what strike does. You +come home with me, you see what strike does."</p> + +<p class="indent">Without waiting for the boy to assent, Olsen, +with his grip still on Steve's shoulder, started, +fairly dragging the Iron Boy along with him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush no longer offered any resistance. Something +about the Icelander impressed the boy +strongly. There was a note of hopelessness in +the man's tone, though his face was impassive, +which told Steve that the fellow was suffering +great mental anguish.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You need not hang to my shoulder, Olsen. +I will go with you if you want me to," said the +boy in a kindly tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">But Segunder gave no heed. He held tightly +to Steve's shoulder. The two hurried on, the +Icelander taking long strides. He led the way +to the outskirts of the village, coming to a halt +before a dilapidated, one-storied cottage, the +door of which Olsen pushed open, thrusting +Steve Rush in. Olsen followed, closing the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">A solitary candle furnished all the light there +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page198" id="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> +was in the room. There was no fire in the stove, +though the weather was cold, the snow falling +early in that far northern region.</p> + +<p class="indent">A woman sat holding a baby close to her to +give the child some of the warmth from her +own body. She was pale and thin, but Steve +noted that her eyes lighted up as they fixed +themselves upon the face of Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">On a bed lay a girl of some ten years. The +child was thin and emaciated, and the Iron Boy +saw at once that she was in a high fever.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Him make strike," announced Olsen, pointing +to Steve Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Madame, are you Mrs. Olsen?" asked the +lad.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir," answered the woman in good English. +"Who are you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My name is Rush. Your husband has +brought me here, for what purpose I do not +know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He says you are responsible for this terrible +strike. Are you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am not. I have had no more to do with +bringing it on than you. I did all I could to +prevent it. Your husband is in error. The +men have told him untruths about me. If your +husband wishes to leave the union and go to +work, I will see that he begins work to-morrow. +Has he tried?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> +"Yes, sir. He has been to the mine nearly +every day, but they would not take him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whom did you ask for work?" demanded +Steve, turning to Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Little captain, Red Rock."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean Mr. Barton, mining captain of +the Red Rock Mine?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And he would not take you back?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Him no take me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He will to-morrow," said Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, if you will do that for my husband, I +shall bless you!" exclaimed the woman. +"Segunder, this young man is a good man. +Surely he could not have brought this terrible +thing upon us."</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder's face relaxed a little.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you in need of assistance, Mrs. Olsen?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The woman hesitated. Her pride was battling +with her love for her little family.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes, sir; we are. We do not care for +ourselves, my husband and myself, but our children! +Just look at them!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you been to the union, Olsen, and +asked them to give you money?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No help."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is the matter with the little girl on +the bed there?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> +"She has pneumonia."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you had a doctor?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; but he would not come again because +we had no money to pay him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The cur!" muttered Steve under his breath.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We have not had a thing in the house to +eat since yesterday morning, and then there was +scarcely a mouthful apiece."</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder smote the table a terrible blow with +his fist. The baby asleep in its mother's arms +awakened and began crying loudly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I kill bosses. I kill them!" shouted Olsen +in a terrible voice. "I bring you here to +kill you. Maybe you lie to me. Then I kill +you, anyhow!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Segunder, Segunder!" cried the woman +aghast. "This young man is going to help you. +He is going to give you work. Don't you understand?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen grabbed Steve by both shoulders, and, +pushing him over to the light, peered long and +earnestly into the eyes of the Iron Boy. Then +the huge Icelander drew a deep breath that +seemed to come from his boots.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You no lie? You speak true? You give me +work?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"To-morrow morning. And I will do more +than that. Cheer up, Mrs. Olsen. I am going +away now, but I shall be back within an hour. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page201" id="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span> +You shall have a doctor, and you shall have +something else. Olsen, you stay here until I +return," commanded Rush sternly. "Mrs. +Olsen, see to it that he remains in the house."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was out of the place with a bound. He +did not walk this time, but started away on a +run. He knew where there was a doctor, not +far away, and he made straight for the doctor's +house.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is a sick child in one of the strikers' +homes," said the lad, as the doctor opened the +door. "I wish you would go and look after +the child."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One of the strikers?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Olsen—Segunder Olsen."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! Who will pay me for attending the +case?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve gazed at the doctor in amazement.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You see, these fellows think we doctors can +work for nothing. They make all sorts of promises, +but when they are out of work they really +expect us to not only keep them, but to furnish +them medicines and treat them in the bargain. +I know the kind. However, I'll go if +you say it is all right. I don't want to appear +inhuman," added the doctor, half apologetically.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never mind, doctor; I couldn't think of allowing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> +you to work for nothing," answered +Rush sarcastically. "I know someone who will +be glad to do so—a man who has some human +sympathy left. Good night."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve dashed down the steps and ran to the +office of the company doctor.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, certainly I will go. Why did they +not send for me?" demanded the physician, after +Steve had explained the case.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess they were too much upset to think +of it, after another doctor had refused to attend +the case. Can you go at once?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"This very minute, my lad. Are you going +that way?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not now. I have something else to attend +to, but I shall be there soon. Perhaps I shall +see you. Thank you very much."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No thanks necessary. I am glad you came +to me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will see that your fee is paid, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will do nothing of the sort. The idea!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I knew I'd find a real man," muttered Steve, +as he left the house.</p> + +<p class="indent">He hurried to his boarding house, where he +routed out Bob Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You come with me; I want you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, more trouble?" jeered Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, but not for us. There is a family in +distress. The family of Olsen, the big Icelander. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> +They are starving, and one of their children is +dying of pneumonia, I believe."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush was hurrying down the street, with Bob +doing his best to keep up with his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">Half an hour later the Iron Boys staggered +into the squalid Olsen home under the weight of +heavy burdens. Bob Jarvis carried a bag of +coal on one shoulder; Steve Rush a huge bundle +of kindling wood, with a heavy basket in his +right hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here we are again," he cried cheerily, as +the lads dumped their burden to the floor. The +doctor was already there, working over the sick +girl.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I must have some hot water, and at once," +he said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We have no fire, sir," wailed the woman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never mind; we're going to have a fire in +two jerks of a lamb's tail," exclaimed Jarvis. +"Give me that kindling wood."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob was full of importance. He dumped the +contents of the bag of coal on the floor while +Steve was placing the kindling in the stove. In +a moment the kindling was crackling cheerfully +in the stove.</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen sat blinking in his chair. Events were +moving rather too rapidly for his slow-moving +brain to follow them, while Mrs. Olsen appeared +to be dazed by the sudden turn of events.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> +Steve had dived into the kitchen, returning +with a battered teapot, a frying pan and some +other articles.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't put much coal on, Bob, or you'll +smother the fire. This is going to be a quick-lunch +affair. Where's the forks? Here, Bob; +you set the table. Why are you standing there +doing nothing?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mrs. Olsen suddenly realized that she must +do something.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me do it, sir. Such work is not for a +man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You never mind, Mrs. Olsen; you just 'tend +the baby. I never had any experience minding +a baby, but I have had in cooking. I've got +some of the finest lamb chops here you ever +saw, and some other things."</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush drew from the basket a package of +chops. In another package was a liberal quantity +of steak, which he intended should carry +the family over for another day. The Olsens +looked on in dazed surprise as one thing after +another was taken from the basket. There were +bread, butter, vegetables, coffee, tea, canned +meats, canned peaches and lastly a can of condensed +milk. Such a display of good things +probably never before had gladdened the hearts +of the Olsens at one time.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve set Bob at work paring and slicing the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> +potatoes they had brought, while he proceeded +to cook the chops and set the water boiling for +the coffee. Rush went at the work as if it had +been his daily task for years. As a matter of +fact, he had gotten the meals at home many +times when his mother had been too ill to do +the work, or was engaged at other tasks.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We didn't bring you much coal to-night," +said Steve apologetically, "because we could not +carry any more. You will receive half a ton +in the morning, and that will keep you going +until your husband can earn money to buy +more."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mrs. Olsen did not answer, for her emotion +was too great for words.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This child must go to the hospital, if we +expect to pull her through," announced the doctor +at this juncture.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right, doctor; when do you want to take +her?" questioned Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"She must go to-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Segunder," said Steve, "we are going to +take your little girl to the hospital and make +her well. You will let the doctor have her for +a few days, won't you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen nodded, and his wife, with a half-startled +look, rose and, going over to the bed, +kissed the feverish face of the sick child.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will let her go?" urged Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> +"I will do whatever you advise."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's right," nodded the doctor. "We will +have her out safe and sound in a few days."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not know whether they would or not, +but he aided in bringing cheer to all the household +that night.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now I think we are ready for supper. These +chops are done to a turn, and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here, the kiddie's going to have first shot +at the chops!" exclaimed Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">Picking up a fork, Jarvis speared a steaming +hot chop from the pan, and, running across the +room, held it out for the baby in Mrs. Olsen's +arms.</p> + +<p class="indent">The child extended a chubby fist for the hot +morsel, whereat its mother uttered a cry of protest +and quickly drew the child out of harm's +way.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mercy! Don't do that! It would kill the +little one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, a lamb chop kill anybody? Why, +I've eaten hundreds of them, and they have +never killed me yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What on earth are you trying to do, Bob?" +demanded Steve Rush, turning on his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, he wants the baby to eat a chop," answered +Mrs. Olsen, half laughing, half crying.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, of all the mutton heads!" exclaimed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> +Steve. "Does the baby drink milk, Mrs. +Olsen?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, when we have it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, that's too bad. But never mind; I'm +going out in a few minutes, and I will send in +some fresh milk for the little one. Come, now; +sit up and have something to eat."</p> + +<p class="indent">The family gathered at the table. The doctor, +in the meantime, had wrapped the child in +blankets, and, telling Mrs. Olsen she might call +at the company's hospital in the morning to see +it, the kind-hearted physician strode out of the +house with his little burden. It was but a short +distance to the company's hospital, and he believed +he would be able to get the child there +much more comfortably in his own arms than +in the hospital ambulance.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a gladness in her eyes that had not been +seen there for many days Mrs. Olsen seated herself +at the table. Segunder had to be fairly +pushed there by Steve. Even when the big Icelander +had taken his place at the table he did +not eat. He sat with his big eyes fixed wonderingly +on the face of Steve Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, you are all fixed and we will leave you. +I'll send the milk in for the baby as soon as +I can find it. I'll get it, even if I have to milk +somebody's cow on the sly. Segunder, you come +to me at the mine in the morning, and I will see +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> +that you get to work. Good night, all. Come on, +Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">All at once Segunder Olsen's face was buried +on his arms on the table and his huge frame +was shaking with sobs of joy. He understood +at last. All that had been so unreal to him for +the last hour had now become sudden, sweet +realities.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Iron Boys hastily left the house, and +though neither would have admitted it, there +was a suspicious moisture in the eyes of each.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XXI" id="XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE ICELANDER ON THE TRAIL</p> + +<p class="indent">ON the following morning Olsen reported +to the mine, as directed by Steve. The +latter had made some inquiries and the +results had aroused his suspicion. Barton, the +mine captain of the Red Rock, denied that Olsen +had applied to him for work. He grew suddenly +red under Steve's questioning. But Steve +had Mr. Penton's authority for putting the Icelander +to work, and the big man, after gripping +Rush's hand until the boy felt like crying +out, went to work with a will.</p> + +<p class="indent">When Steve went home for lunch he found +a note from Miss Cavard in which she wrote:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="indent">"You offered to help me relieve some of our +poor, suffering people. I am taking you at +your word. There is a family in dire distress +on Cave Street. Their name is Allison. If you +will meet me there to-night at eight o'clock, we +will see what can be done for them. I wish +to consult with you about some other charitable +work, and that is one of the reasons I am asking +you to meet me as stated above.</p> + +<p class="right">"Sincerely, <span class="smcap">Marie Cavard</span>."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page210" id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> +Steve decided that he would go. There was +no good reason why he should not, and his heart +really ached for the suffering families of the +striking miners. If there were anything he +could do to relieve their sufferings he would +willingly do it. Already no small part of his +wages had been devoted to this very work. Bob +Jarvis also had contributed liberally to the +cause.</p> + +<p class="indent">Nothing of moment occurred during the day. +When evening arrived Rush, dressed in his best, +slipped out, not telling his companion where he +was going. He found the house of the Allisons +without difficulty. Steve knocked and was admitted. +The hall in which he found himself +was dark, and the house was as silent as if deserted. +The lad did not even see any one who +might have opened the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, is anybody at home?" he called.</p> + +<p class="indent">For answer he was struck a sudden and powerful +blow. It sent the boy to the floor in a heap, +where he lay as one dead.</p> + +<p class="indent">Unseen hands lifted the unconscious lad from +the floor, carried him down a flight of stairs and +threw him upon a pile of straw.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was young and strong, and nature reasserted +herself in a few moments. He got to +his feet unsteadily and began groping about him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I—I wonder where I am?" he muttered.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> +After groping for some time, Rush decided +that he must be in a cellar, but he seemed unable +to find any way out of the place. There +were no stairs, so far as he could determine, +and he had no matches to light that he might +look about him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush sat down on the pile of straw to think +matters over. He understood at once that someone +had struck him down in the dark hall, but +as to the identity of his assailant he could not +make up his mind. He had a pretty clear idea +why the attack on him had been made. Yet the +more he thought over the matter the more perplexed +did he become as to certain features of +it.</p> + +<p class="indent">All at once the thought of the letter he had +received from Miss Cavard entered his mind.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was a trick!" almost shouted Steve Rush. +"She tricked me here for that scoundrel brother +of hers. They wanted to get me here, so they +could do me up, and they've won. What a fool +I was! But I'll outwit them yet. I'll——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve paused as he heard the sound of footsteps +over his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, up there!" he shouted.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was no answer. The boy shouted again +and again, but no attention was paid to his +shouts. Apparently they had not been heard, +although Steve doubted this to be the case.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> +Once more Rush tried to find some way out +of his prison, but, as before, he failed to do so. +After what seemed hours of waiting he decided +that there was nothing to be gained by exciting +himself, so he threw himself down on the heap +of straw, and after a time went to sleep. Being +young and vigorous, he was not kept awake by +his worries.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was awakened in the morning by the +sounds of someone shaking a stove on the floor +above. He listened, and understood that the +people above were preparing breakfast.</p> + +<p class="indent">Then the lad realized that he was hungry.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, up there! Pass down some breakfast, +even if you won't let me out." Then, in +a lower tone: "If anyone comes down here with +my breakfast, I'll walk over him and out pretty +quick. I smell breakfast, and it seems to be +right here. Whew, but it makes me ravenously +hungry!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve's foot at that moment kicked against +something that he was sure had not been there +on the previous night. He stooped over, when +all at once his hands came in contact with a +tin pan.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush investigated with more than ordinary +curiosity.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Meat, as I live! And hot, too! Why, the +stuff must have been placed here within a very +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> +short time. And potatoes? Well, I <i>am</i> in luck, +after all. Evidently my jailers do not intend +to starve me to death."</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve ate with relish, though the meat was +tough and the potatoes were not overdone. +After he had finished the meal he felt better, +though he would have appreciated a wash. He +walked back and forth for an hour or so, feeling +that he needed the exercise, after which he lay +down for another nap.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="indent">In the meantime an alarm had been sent out +for the Iron Boy. Bob Jarvis was sure that +something had happened to his companion, as +Steve never had remained away from home over +night before. Jarvis reported the absence to +the superintendent and a search was made. Late +in the afternoon Bob, worried and irritable, met +Olsen. To the latter he explained that Steve +was missing.</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder listened attentively, but without +change of expression.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where you think he go?" demanded the Icelander, +after Bob had finished.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll tell you, Segunder, I believe that man +Cavard has had something to do with this affair."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Huh!" was the only comment made by the +giant.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> +After his day's work had been finished, however, +Segunder started off downtown. He +walked along with lowered head, gazing suspiciously +into every face he met, as though in +search of someone. Olsen continued his slow +tramping about the village until the supper hour +had passed. He had no thought for this. His +mind was possessed of a singleness of purpose +that would permit of the entrance of no other +thought there.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You know where boss he stay?" demanded +Segunder of the secretary of the union, whom +he finally met.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who do you mean—the superintendent?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen shook his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cavard."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, Cavard, you mean? I left him at Liberty +Hall just now. He is attending to some of the +union's affairs there. You will find him if you +go there. He isn't going home to supper. What +do you want? You're a scab! They'll serve +you as they did those two scabs Rush and Jarvis, +if you go there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No throw Segunder out of window," grunted +the Icelander.</p> + +<p class="indent">The information that he had obtained did not +seem to elate him. He turned toward the hall, +plodding along with lowered head and set, inexpressive +countenance.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> +There was no one to bar his progress up the +stairs, and it was well for such that there was +none. Segunder was going up to the meeting +room regardless of any obstacles that might obstruct +his path.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Icelander strode into the hall where, with +head still lowered, he gazed at Cavard with dull, +listless eyes. The walking delegate and head +of the union was absorbed in a litter of documents +on his desk. At first he did not see Olsen, +and there was no one else in the room to inform +him of the other man's presence.</p> + +<p class="indent">Finally the big Icelander coughed to attract +the other man's attention.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard glanced up; then a scowl overspread +his face.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you want here?" demanded the +leader, half irritably.</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder did not answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I say, what do you want?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want you. I come speak with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get out of here! I want nothing to do with +a scab!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I go when get ready."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will go now. If you do not move fast +enough I will throw you out—yes, I'll throw you +downstairs head first, or whichever way you +chance to start. Now go!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard arose to give emphasis to his words.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> +"Where you put boy?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where you put boy?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What boy are you talking about?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where you put Segunder's friend Rush?" +demanded the big miner, still preserving his +stolid expression.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You must be a fool!" he sneered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. Segunder not fool. You big fool. +Where you keep boy?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"See here, my man; I've heard all I wish to +hear from you. I demand that you leave this +hall at once. I don't know what you are talking +about. I don't know where the boy Rush is. +Furthermore, I don't care where he is. If I +did know I wouldn't tell you, for it would be +none of your business."</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen nodded reflectively while digesting the +words of the walking delegate.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where you put Segunder's friend, Steve +Rush?" persisted the big man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have told you once that I do not know +where he is," answered Cavard, his face flushing +with anger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You lie!"</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page217" id="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XXII" id="XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE BATTLE OF THE GIANTS</p> + +<p class="indent">CAVARD uttered a roar and started to +spring from the platform on which he +had been sitting. In his haste he overturned +the table and went sprawling on his face +with the table on top of him.</p> + +<p class="indent">At that moment a crowd of union men came +trooping up the stairs with Mike Caldert at +their head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, what's going on here?" shouted +Caldert.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's Olsen."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Scab! Scab!" yelled the miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's killed the boss! Down him!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder did not appear to have heard them. +His eyes were fixed on the form of the walking +delegate, wriggling beneath the table. Cavard +released himself, and, leaping to his feet, looked +about for the man who had given him the lie.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where is the hound? Let me at him. He +called me a liar!" shouted the leader.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a growl the miners surged toward the +Icelander, getting between him and Cavard as +they did so.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You scab! Where'll I hit you first?" jeered +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> +Caldert, making a vicious swing at the head of +Segunder Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">That was the last conscious moment of Mike +for a full half hour. Olsen took a step forward, +his long arm shot out and Caldert went to the +floor in a heap.</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen faced the crowd, his eyes flashing as +they had not done in a long time before. With +distended nostrils he quietly awaited the rush +of the crowd of miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on, I vait for you!" growled Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sail in, fellows; we'll down the seal-eater. +It was a chance blow that laid Mike out. Go +for him!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The speaker made a leap for Olsen, then went +tottering backward with a sledge-hammer blow +over his heart.</p> + +<p class="indent">Still another miner closed in and clinched. +Segunder's fists played a terrible tattoo on the +man's body, causing the assailant to totter away +groaning.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on, you dogs!" bellowed the Icelander, +the spirit of battle having by this time taken +full possession of him. "I lig you all!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Slug him! Slug him all at once!" shouted +a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We can't get near enough. His arms are +too long."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bang!</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> +Segunder received a blow in the side that +caused him to writhe with pain. He whirled +on his assailant with surprising quickness considering +the Icelander's bulk. His ponderous +fist smote the other man between the eyes, sending +the fellow hurtling clear across the room.</p> + +<p class="indent">Attracted by the uproar, Bob Jarvis, who had +come in search of Olsen, had run up the stairs. +His eyes quickly took in the situation. Bob +could scarce restrain himself from rushing into +the fray. But as yet there appeared no need +for him to do so. Segunder was holding his +own; in fact, thus far he had the better of the +argument.</p> + +<p class="indent">The enemy backed away and consulted for a +few brief seconds, then with one movement they +charged the big man. Men went down like +nine-pins. The long arms of the Icelander swung +wildly but with telling effect. The sound of +the blows was heard out in the street. It seldom +required more than one blow from those ponderous +fists to unfit the man on whom they had +landed for further participation in the fight.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get into him! Use a club or a knife!" +howled a man.</p> + +<p class="indent">At this juncture Cavard, who had been watching +the progress of the fight with pale face and +blazing eyes, leaped from the platform and began +forcing his way through the crowd.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> +Cavard was a big and powerful man. He +could hit hard and sure, as some of the men +there were well aware from personal experience. +Segunder saw him coming, and a gleam +of savage joy lighted up the eyes of the Icelander.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Russian walked more slowly as he neared +his adversary. The two men eyed each other +steadily. All at once the labor leader's right +fist shot out with lightning-like speed. It caught +Segunder on the side of the head, spinning him +about. Before he could catch his balance +Cavard was upon him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Instantly the two men became a whirling, +tumbling tangle, arms striking, feet kicking, +breath coming in quick, short gasps. First +Olsen would be under; then it would be +Cavard's turn.</p> + +<p class="indent">The others in the room had instinctively +drawn back when the battle between the two +giants commenced.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard loosed his grip on Olsen, endeavoring +to get in a telling blow, with which he hoped +to put his adversary out. But before he could +strike, Segunder's fist was jammed into his face +with awful force. The labor leader staggered +back with the blood flowing freely.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a growl of rage Olsen was upon him.</p> + +<p class="indent">The men clinched and both went to the floor. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> +But, as they fell, Cavard had managed to slip +a revolver from his pocket. It was now his one +purpose to bring the weapon into position where +he could use it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look out, Segunder—he's got a gun!" +shouted Bob Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">But the Icelander did not need the warning. +He had seen the movement and he was now +struggling to get possession of the weapon before +it could be turned against him. Cavard was +on his back, with his cheek pressed tightly +against the cheek of his opponent, the Icelander's +left hand pinioning Cavard's right hand and +the weapon to the floor.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a sudden powerful upward movement of +his body Cavard threw his adversary off and +leaped to his feet. In getting up, however, the +Russian's weapon was knocked from his hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">A lithe young figure sprang through the +crowd at the instant when the miners, believing +their leader was seriously hurt, were making a +rush for Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">The figure was Bob Jarvis. Quick as a flash +he snatched the revolver from the floor and +sprang back again the wall.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Jarvis! Jarvis! Throw him out of the +window. <i>Kill</i> the scab!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Slowly the weapon in the hand of the Iron +Boy was raised to a level with the men's heads.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> +"Stand back, every mother's son of you, or +I'll make you look like nutmeg graters!" warned +the boy.</p> + +<p class="indent">The men hesitated, then slowly fell back. They +saw that the boy meant exactly what he had +said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is going to be a fair fight, and somebody +is going to get good and properly pounded. +There won't be any foul tactics as long as I've +got a grip on this revolver," Jarvis warned the +crowd.</p> + +<p class="indent">The combatants were at each other with a +rush. Once more they clinched. The two desperate +men swayed from side to side, neither +seeming to be able to obtain advantage over the +other.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly the Icelander's arms seemed to relax. +He pushed his adversary from him, then +with all the force in his powerful body, he concentrated +on a swift blow.</p> + +<p class="indent">The blow smote the labor leader on the side +of the jaw.</p> + +<p class="indent">Cavard struck the floor with terrific force.</p> + +<p class="indent">With an animal-like roar the Icelander threw +himself upon the prostrate body of his antagonist. +Olsen, in his terrible rage, had lost all control +of himself. He was slow to anger, but when +once aroused he was a wild animal.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gripping the other man's shoulders, he banged +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page225" id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> +him on the hard floor with crushing force. All +at once the big, powerful fingers of the Icelander +encircled the neck of the labor leader. A look +of triumph shone in Olsen's eyes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Segunder!"</p> + +<p class="indent">It was Bob Jarvis who spoke.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Segunder, stop! Stop, I tell you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">But the man was past heeding even if he +heard.</p> + +<p class="indent">Still keeping the others covered with his +weapon, Bob Jarvis sprang forward, gripping +Olsen by the shoulder.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Segunder! Segunder!" he shouted in the +ear of his friend. "Stop! Stop, I tell you. +You will kill him! You've won. Let go of him, +I tell you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The Icelander gazed up blankly at the boy +bending over him; then he turned once more +to his punishment of the man beneath him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob tugged to pull him off, but he might as +well have tried to move one of the mountains of +iron on the range.</p> + +<p class="indent">Something must be done, and that quickly. +Bob's mind worked with more rapidity than it +ever had worked before.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hate to do so, but I've got to do it," he +muttered.</p> + +<p class="indent">With that he drew back and struck Olsen two +swift blows on the side of the head. Jarvis' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page226" id="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span> +punch was no light thing. Olsen toppled from +the body of his victim and rolled over on the +floor.</p> + +<p class="indent">The miners started to pounce upon him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stand back!" shouted Bob. "I'll shoot the +first man who makes a move!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen was struggling to get up. Bob was +beside him in an instant.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pull Cavard away!" commanded the lad.</p> + +<p class="indent">No one made a move to do so. Jarvis dragged +the unconscious leader to one side, then sprang +back to Olsen, who was pulling himself together.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Olsen! Segunder! I hit you. I had to do +it, or you would have killed him. Come with +me. Come <i>now</i>! You've whipped him. He +won't do any more fighting for a while, I'll +wager. Come, now—that's a good fellow."</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob began tugging at the Icelander's arm. +Olsen gave ground slowly, his eyes fixed on the +figure stretched out on the floor. The boy continued +to urge the big Icelander. A happy +thought suddenly occurred to him.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 447px;"> <img class="border" src="images/iron2pic4.png" width="447" height="700" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">"Come Help Me Get Rush."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Come help me get Rush. I think I know +where he is. They've got him locked up somewhere."</p> + +<p class="indent">The words acted like magic on Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush, Rush, Rush?" he questioned dully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, yes! I came for you. Come with me!" +appealed Bob Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page227" id="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span> +Segunder grabbed the Iron Boy, dragging him +down the stairs two steps at a jump.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where Rush, where Rush?" he demanded +savagely as they reached the street.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have just seen Cavard's sister. She said +Steve was to have met her at the Allison's last +night, but that she had not been able to keep +the appointment. After thinking it over, the +young woman began to think there was something +strange about the affair, and she hunted +me up at once, knowing that Steve had been +missing all day."</p> + +<p class="indent">Segunder was off, swinging into his long +stride, with Bob Jarvis running along by his +side.</p> + +<p class="indent">They reached the Allison home a few minutes +later. Bob knocked, but there was no response. +He tried the door and found it locked.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, in there!" shouted the lad. "I believe +they are not at home. What shall we do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen knew what to do. He was not to be +deterred by a little thing like a locked door. +Backing off, he threw his whole great weight +against the offending barrier.</p> + +<p class="indent">The door burst in with a loud crash.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page228" id="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XXIII" id="XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE HERO OF THE BRIDGE</p> + +<p class="indent">OLSEN leaped in through the opening, +kicking the pieces of the wrecked door +that interfered with his passage from +his path.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bob darted by him. They ran into the front +room, which, in this instance, was the parlor, +but found it vacant. Next Jarvis dived into the +dining room.</p> + +<p class="indent">Allison, a heavy-jowled, powerful man, was +standing at bay behind the dining-room table. +His family were nowhere in sight. The place +was squalid and poverty was in evidence everywhere.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are looking for Steve Rush. Where is +he?" announced Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get out of my house! I'll have you both sent +to jail, you scoundrels!" raged Allison.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I tell you, Rush came to your house last +night, and he has not been seen since. We want +him; we want him quick! It will be the worse +for you if you don't produce him or tell us +where we shall find him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know anything about your fool +friend. I——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page229" id="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> +Bob had the miner by the throat. Allison +hurled him aside, grabbing up a chair as he did +so.</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen uttered a yell and charged the miner. +The latter made a pass at the Icelander +with the heavy dining-room chair. Segunder +wrenched it from his hands. Then he brought +the offending chair down on the floor with a +terrific crash, smashing it into kindling wood.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want boy Rush!" he demanded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You get out of my house, or I'll bore you +full of holes!" yelled the miner, at the same +time whipping out a knife.</p> + +<p class="indent">With a well-directed kick Segunder sent the +table between them crashing to one side. With +a leap he landed upon Allison, smiting him a +powerful blow on the side of the head. Allison +went down as a matter of course.</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen calmly stooped over, picked the fellow +up and threw him out of the window, Allison +carrying the frame and the glass with him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He one bad man," grinned the Icelander. +"I smash house down."</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen began to destroy the furniture, what +there was of it, until Jarvis restrained him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't do that, Segunder. We want to find +Steve. I believe he is here somewhere. Hark—what's +that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Olsen listened.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page230" id="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> +"I heard someone calling, Segunder."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The voice sounded faint and far away.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is that you, Steve?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where are you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am here."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where is here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Down cellar. I can't get out. I think there +must be a trap somewhere, if you can find it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll find it. Olsen, he's down below us. +If we don't find the cellar opening I'll let you +try your hand at breaking a hole in the floor," +proposed Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">Both began searching for the opening. Bob +found it, but there was no ring in the trap and +Olsen solved the problem of getting the place +open by kicking a hole in the trap, then finally +demolishing it altogether.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where's the stairs?" cried Jarvis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pull stairs up," answered the Icelander.</p> + +<p class="indent">Sure enough, such was the case. A short +flight of clumsily constructed stairs had been +pulled up to the floor and secured by a rope that +ran off to another part of the cellar. Upon investigation +they found that this rope led up +to another trap in the dining room, from where +the food that Steve had found must in all probability +have been lowered.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page231" id="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> +Olsen did not wait for the stairs to be lowered +but squeezed down into the hole, dropping to +the cellar bottom. Steve ran to him and the +big fellow hugged the boy delightedly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I get. I smash big boss."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What does he mean, Bob?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He means that he gave Cavard an awful +beating. But it was a dandy fight, Steve. How +I wish you could have seen it!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush heard all about the events that +had occurred since he had been taken prisoner +the night before. In turn he related what had +happened to himself. There was no direct evidence +by which they could connect Cavard with +Rush's capture, but the circumstantial evidence +was strong. Later in the day Steve went to see +the superintendent, and the two had a long talk.</p> + +<p class="indent">Nothing of moment occurred for several days +after that. Cavard did not appear on the street +for nearly a week after the battle, though his +lieutenants were in conference with him at his +home every day. The leader had had a beating +that he was not likely to forget during the rest +of his life. His rage was deep and murderous, +and as he paced the floor of his room he swore +vengeance on the Iron Boys as well as on +Segunder Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">An extremely cold winter was setting in. It +was developing into one of the most severe seasons +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page232" id="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> +ever known on the iron range, and the suffering +of the families of the miners who were out +of work had reached a serious stage.</p> + +<p class="indent">The miners themselves were growing bitter +against the bosses and more turbulent. It had +come to a point where it was not safe for a non-union +man to appear upon the street. He was in +danger of his life if he did so.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve believed that the men's turbulence was +as much due to the subtle influence of Cavard +as because of their families' sufferings. The +armed guard about the mine shafts had been +trebled, as it was feared that the strikers might +wreck some of the company's property. What +seemed to enrage the men more than ever was +the sight of the long trains of cars that were +carrying the ore from the dump pile and transferring +it to the furnaces in Ohio and in the +east. The lakes being frozen over, the ore was +conveyed all the way to the mills by rail, as is +always the case in the winter.</p> + +<p class="indent">Matters were approaching a crisis, as the officials +of the mining company well realized. Mr. +Penton believed, however, that he had enough +loyal men to hold the others in check and to protect +the company's property. Steve took a different +view of the matter, but he said nothing, +as it was not fitting for him to suggest what +should and what should not be done.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page233" id="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> +Since the boy's capture he had set himself +upon Cavard's trail with the firm purpose of +running the man down and exposing his perfidity. +He knew a weak spot would sooner or +later develop in the leader's defence, and when +it did develop Steve Rush proposed to be on +hand to break through the defence at that particular +point.</p> + +<p class="indent">As soon as Cavard was able to be out he began +meeting the men at the hall, encouraging them +and goading them on in his subtle way by pointing +out that the sufferings of their families were +due to the grasping avarice of the bosses. A +day or so after he got out Cavard made a trip +to the Blair, an independent mine some ten +miles up the valley. There he spent the day +and part of the night.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve did not learn of this until late in the +evening. The information caused him to wonder +what was going on up the valley. He had no +doubt that something would develop from that +visit.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I ought to go up there and find out what is +going on," he confided to Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why don't you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot leave here. Every loyal man is +needed right here every minute of the day and +night. There is no telling at what moment +trouble will break loose, and when it comes it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page234" id="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span> +is going to come thick and fast, if I am any judge +of men. The miners are getting desperate. +They are going to break out, and with our handful +of helpers we shall be powerless to stem the +tide."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I reckon you're right. When do you think +it is coming?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is likely to occur at any minute now—to-night, +to-morrow, any time. I believe it is a +part of Cavard's game to have something like +that occur."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wish I'd let Segunder finish the fellow +while he was about it. He would have killed +the leader in a minute more."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bob, how <i>can</i> you say such a thing?" chided +Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I suppose it is rather a strong statement, +but I don't love that man Cavard one little +bit."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Neither do I, but that is no excuse for wanting +to see him killed. We will beat him at his +own game, and with his own weapons if we can. +If not the company will have to get out of its +present situation as best it can."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess that will be the answer."</p> + +<p class="indent">On the following day Steve set an inquiry +going in another direction, having enlisted the +services of a man whom he and Bob had sent +for from the city at their own expense. This +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page235" id="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span> +man belonged to a private detective agency, and +Steve had known him before coming to the +mines.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a long conference, that night, at +the house of one of the loyal miners, where the +detective, Steve and Bob had gone that they +might not be observed. To have met in the +boarding house would have been to arouse suspicion, +for the strikers had spies in every place +of the sort. Cavard saw to it that he was kept +well-posted as to all that was going on.</p> + +<p class="indent">The conference broke up at a late hour and +the boys made their way home through back +yards and across open lots in order to avoid +meeting with strikers. It was not that they +were afraid, but they were acting the part of +prudence. They had set out to achieve by their +own efforts what the company, with all its resources +and money, had not been able to accomplish, +and that was to break the backbone +of the strike.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was a giant's task, it seemed, for two +youngsters to attempt, but the Iron Boys were +determined that it should be done.</p> + +<p class="indent">The next day dawned raw and blustering. The +weather, however, did not keep the strikers +within doors. Groups were gathered on every +corner, where, while stamping about to keep +from freezing, they discussed the situation. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page236" id="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> +Shortly before noon there was a meeting at +Liberty Hall. Of course the Iron Boys were +not present.</p> + +<p class="indent">When the men came away from that meeting +a change had stolen over them. They had ceased +their noisy threats. Their faces were sullen and +their words were few.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look out for trouble!" nodded Steve, as he +observed the men from the window of a house +across the way.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; they are loaded for bear," agreed Bob.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Something has stirred them up. Probably +Cavard has been talking to them. That man +is a fiend in human form. He handles them, +makes them his playthings, all to serve his own +selfish purposes."</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys came up with Mr. Penton, who was +on his way to the mines from his office. Steve +stepped up to him, touching his hat.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How are you, boys? I have just closed down +the shafts for the rest of the day. I don't like +the looks of things."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Neither do I, sir," answered Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is it that you have observed?" questioned +the superintendent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The men are loaded for trouble. Practically +we are standing in a drift ready to be fired, and +when the powder goes off the roof of the drift is +likely to fall down on our heads and finish us."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page237" id="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span> +"You are right, Rush. I have found your +advice good. What would you do to cope with +the situation, were you the superintendent?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The superintendent's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What would I do? Why, I'd take the situation +by the nape of the neck and shake all the +fight out of it. In the first place, if I did not +have enough men to give the strikers all the +fight they wanted, I would ask the authorities +for protection. I believe our property will be destroyed +if you don't place guards about the +mines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am glad to hear you say what you have +said," nodded Mr. Penton. "I have urged the +sheriff to wire the governor to rush a company +of militia here, and the mining company has +backed me up in the request. I dislike to do it, +but I must protect our property. I presume it +will excite the men to violence, and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The men cannot be much more excited than +they already are, sir. Cavard has worked them +up to the exploding point. With an honest man +at its head, a miner's union might be made of +real benefit to the men. It's too bad that they +have fallen into the hands of Cavard."</p> + +<p class="indent">The boys went on up the street to their boarding +house to dinner. There was little conversation +at the meal, for every man felt that the +calm before the storm was upon them.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page238" id="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span> +Shortly after one o'clock the men began +strolling toward the "ore bridge." This was +a structure of steel and concrete that the company +had erected across a mountain gorge, and +over which the ore was carried by train to the +lakes. The ore bridge was the key to the situation. +Without it no ore could be shipped from +either the Cousin Jack or the Red Rock Mines.</p> + +<p class="indent">By two o'clock there were more than a thousand +men gathered in the vicinity of the bridge. +They seemed impervious to the biting cold of +the winter's day. It was not apparent that the +men had any particular purpose in gathering +about the bridge, but there was little doubt that +their leader had put the thought in their minds +at the noonday meeting, whether or not they +realized that fact.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly the men set up a cheer. Cavard, +muffled to the ears in an expensive fur coat, was +seen approaching. He was shaking hands with +the men right and left as he strolled on toward +the bridge.</p> + +<p class="indent">The men began cheering. Somehow Cavard's +appearance seemed to exert a strange influence +over the miners. His sway over them was absolute.</p> + +<p class="indent">They began to shout for him to talk to them. +Half a dozen men hoisted him to a stump. The +leader waved his cap.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page239" id="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span> +"Men, you are making a noble fight!" he +shouted. "You will yet down the bosses and +make them come to your terms. We've got +them on the run already. Their feet are on +your necks and on the necks of your families, +but you will throw the weight off, and when +you do, there will be a terrible retribution. And +what a little thing stands between you and that +retribution. For instance, men, that bridge +there is the key to the ore output. That represents +the bosses. Of course we cannot interfere +with their property, but that structure of steel +and cement was made possible by the sweat of +your brows. It was you who mined the ore for +the steel from which the bridge was constructed. +It was you who made its building a possibility. +And now it rises up as if to mock you. Do not +misunderstand me; I warn you against violence, +but there are limits to man's endurance, especially +if that man have dependent upon him a +wife and children."</p> + +<p class="indent">A low murmur ran over the assemblage. The +murmur increased in volume until it became a +roar.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men, men; I beg of you to be calm!" +shouted Cavard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The bridge! The bridge!" thundered the +multitude.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Down with the bridge!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page240" id="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span> +"Down with the bosses!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The mob surged toward the structure as one +man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dynamite! Get dynamite. We'll blow it +up! We'll teach the bosses a lesson that they +won't forget!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Half a dozen men had started away on a run. +After a time, amid the clamor and the shouting, +these same six miners were seen crawling up the +ravine toward the bridge itself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look! Look!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The men above had seen them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"They're going to dynamite the bridge!"</p> + +<p class="indent">It was true. The great structure that meant +so much to the mining company seemed doomed +to destruction. The ground fairly shook with +the roar that arose when those above discovered +the purpose of their fellows. Cavard had disappeared.</p> + +<p class="indent">At that moment a lad dashed through the mob +and out on to the bridge, running along the ties +a hundred feet in the air.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stop! Back, every man of you!" he +shouted. "It will be prison for years for every +man who has a hand in this affair! Call them +off! Stop them while there is still time!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Get off the bridge, unless you want to be +blown to kingdom come!" roared the crowd.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let him blow up! It's what he deserves."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page241" id="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span> +"If you destroy the bridge I shall go with +it. That will be murder. Those men down +there will be hanged for my death. Now, will +you call them off?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The mob hesitated.</p> + +<p class="indent">"<i>No!</i>"</p> + +<p class="indent">Every man of the hundreds took up the cry. +Steve Rush stood calmly on the bridge, his attention +divided between the men creeping up +the ravine and the mob on the surface. He held +a piece of railroad iron in his hands, but this +was the only weapon he had for his own defence, +in case the men should decide to rush upon him +from the end of the structure.</p> + +<p class="indent">The dynamiters were nearing the danger spot. +Just then a woman fairly flew down the short +incline that led to the bridge. She did not stop, +but dashed full speed out to the bridge. Reaching +it, she ran with all speed to where Steve +Rush was standing, exhorting the crowd and +pleading and threatening.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Miss Cavard!" he gasped. "You must not +stay here. Run for your life. Don't you see +what the men are going to do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I'll run, but I would rather stay. +Here!"</p> + +<p class="indent">She thrust something toward Steve—something +that she had been carrying concealed +under her long, black coat. Steve uttered an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page242" id="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> +exclamation of joy. It was a rifle. Passing it +quickly to him with a box of cartridges, the girl +sped on across the bridge to the opposite side.</p> + +<p class="indent">None had seen the rifle change hands. Steve +waited until she had reached a place of safety; +then he stooped over and pretended to pick the +weapon up from the track. This time he made +no effort to conceal it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's got a gun!" roared the miners.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and I'm going to use it," shouted the +boy. "Call off your dynamiters!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hurry! Fire the powder!" was the answer +of the strikers.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rush stepped to the edge of the bridge and +looked down. The men were attaching the fuses +to the sticks of dynamite as they ran.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve raised the rifle, took careful aim and +fired. The foremost man dropped his dangerous +burden and uttered a yell. A ball had passed +through his arm.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Back, you hounds; or I'll riddle every man +of you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Once more the rifle spoke, but the bullet missed +its mark. It had the effect of stopping the man +who was trying to reach the bridge to plant the +explosive and touch off the fuse.</p> + +<p class="indent">The dynamiters backed off. They had not +bargained for this. The men on the surface +made a hostile movement toward Steve, whereupon +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page243" id="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> +he threw the muzzle of the rifle about, +covering them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come on; come on, if you want some of the +same medicine!" he cried.</p> + +<p class="indent">Bang!</p> + +<p class="indent">A yell floated up from the mountain gorge. +The Iron Boy had fired just in time to head off +another man of that little party below. Now +he kept menacing them with his weapon. Now +and then he would send a shot close to them +when he thought they were getting ready for +another charge. This continued for fully half +an hour, when the dynamiters drew back for a +consultation. A man was sent to the surface to +urge the miners to rush the bridge and throw +the boy over. But the strikers up there had no +mind to face his ready weapon at short range. +Jeers, howls and cat-calls were hurled at the +plucky boy who stood there in that wind-swept +spot a hundred feet in the air with the temperature +below zero, unmindful of taunts, but alert +and watchful.</p> + +<p class="indent">Five o'clock came, and he was still there. It +was getting dark. A few minutes more and it +would be so dark that the men below would have +plenty of opportunity to carry out their desperate +plan. Steve had six cartridges left in +his magazine chamber.</p> + +<p class="indent">He waited and watched. At last he could no +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page244" id="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> +longer see the bottom of the gorge. Aiming +his weapon as nearly as be could judge at the +spot where he had last seen the dynamiters, he +began shooting at intervals, varying his aim +somewhat with each shot. He hoped to hold +them off.</p> + +<p class="indent">One more shell was left in the gun. Steve was +making his last stand. It would be a matter +of but a short time now before they would have +accomplished their purpose.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly a shout rent the air. There was a +new note in it. It was not a shout of triumph, +but of anger and alarm. The boy on the bridge +did not understand it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Run for it. It's the soldiers!" was the shout +that was suddenly taken up and passed from lip +to lip.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hurrah!" shouted the lad.</p> + +<p class="indent">But he had not finished yet. He turned the +rifle down into the dark gorge and pulled the +trigger again. Whether he had hit anything or +not he did not know.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look out for the soldiers!" bellowed a man, +leaning over the edge of the precipice. "Run +for it!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve was bounding toward the end of the +bridge.</p> + +<p class="indent">The soldiers and the sheriff's deputies were +coming up at a dog trot.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page245" id="page245"></a>[pg 245]</span> +"Shell the gorge down there. They're trying +to dynamite the bridge!" Rush yelled.</p> + +<p class="indent">A moment more and a volley of bullets from +the rifles of the guardsmen raked the depths of +the gorge with a hot fire.</p> + +<p class="indent">The bridge was saved.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page246" id="page246"></a>[pg 246]</span></p> + +<h2><a name="XXIV" id="XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<p class="h2a">CONCLUSION</p> + +<p class="indent">A GREAT mob was packed in Liberty Hall +later in the evening. There were no +mutterings. The men were sullen and +discouraged. Outside the hall was a platoon +of guardsmen ready to fall in for whatever services +might be demanded of them. The spirit of +the striking men seemed to have been broken.</p> + +<p class="indent">Three of the six who had gone down to plant +the dynamite under the bridge had been killed +by the fire of the guardsmen. Every shaft was +guarded by armed men, with orders to shoot +any man who approached the shaft after dark. +The company was prepared to keep the siege +up all winter if necessary, though they promised +that, were the miners to throw out their leader +and elect an honest man, the company might +treat with them, looking toward a settlement.</p> + +<p class="indent">The chairman rose. His face was solemn, +but his eyes belied the solemnity of his face.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My friends," he began, "the bosses have +triumphed over us to-day, but we shall down +them yet. I have a piece of news for you showing +the trickery to which they have resorted. +The men of the Blair Mine have gone back to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page247" id="page247"></a>[pg 247]</span> +work. The bosses have done this to tantalize +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">None thought how inconsistent this was. The +men began to grow noisy and restless after this +announcement.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do they go back?" shouted a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"At the old terms," answered the chairman. +"They gave it up."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll keep it up! We won't give up till we +starve!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; down with the bosses! We should get +guns and drive these troops, these hirelings, +from the range. Arm yourselves, men, and assert +your manhood!" cried another voice, that +of one of the leader's lieutenants, though he +made certain that only a few of those about +him observed whence the words came.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis rose from the +corner of the room near the stairway unobserved. +Steve jumped up on a window-sill, waving +his hat to attract their attention.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Men, men! Listen to me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a sullen roar when the miners discovered +who it was, and the mob rose to its +feet, surging toward Steve.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stay where you are if you value your lives. +There are fifty rifles trained on this hall at this +moment. The guardsmen will riddle you with +bullets if you make a hostile move toward me."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page248" id="page248"></a>[pg 248]</span> +The men hesitated.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am your friend, though you do not believe +it. I will prove to you that I am. Listen to +me, boys. Listen! That man," pointing to +Cavard, "is a scoundrel. It is he who has led +you on to this terrible strike. It is he who is +to blame for the suffering of your families. I +tell you I know this. I could prove it to you, +but there are other things that you must know +first."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Speak out. We'll hear you," cried a voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am going to do so. Your leader has just +told you, almost shedding tears as he did so, +that the Blair Mine had resumed operations. +But there was something else that he did not +tell you. He did not tell you that he had had +a conference with the owners of the mine, and +that they had made a deal with him. Money +is what Cavard has been working for—money +and power. He's got the money now, and he +doesn't care what becomes of you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's a lie!" shrieked the man Cavard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is the truth. Men, Cavard was paid fifteen +thousand dollars by an official of the Blair +mine last night to call off the strike. I could +give you the official's name. That fifteen thousand +dollars was deposited in the bank here +to-day. It is here, all here. I have the proofs. +He is a traitor! He has sold you out at the expense +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page249" id="page249"></a>[pg 249]</span> +of your families. Now, what are you +going to do about it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">With a howl of rage the men turned to the +place where Cavard had been standing. But +the man was gone. He had slunk out under +cover of Steve Rush's thrilling speech never to +be seen in the mining village again. Steve had +seen him go, but had not tried to detain him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What shall we do?" cried the men, when +they discovered that their prey had escaped +them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Call the strike off, here and now, and go to +work. After all has quieted down again, reorganize +your union if you wish, and put honest +men at the head of it. I shall be with you heart +and soul, if you are willing to do as I have +suggested."</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a moment of silence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rush! Rush! Three cheers for the gamest, +squarest boy on the iron range!" shouted a +miner excitedly, as he sprang to a seat, waving +his arms.</p> + +<p class="indent">The audience rose as one man, and the building +fairly trembled under their roars. They +rushed toward the Iron Boys. Bob was caught +in the crush and pushed half way down the stairs. +But the men were not going to leave just yet. +They were enthusiastically shouting the name +of Rush.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page250" id="page250"></a>[pg 250]</span> +Steve was caught up. His hat was lost, his +coat was nearly ripped from his shoulders, and +he was borne in triumph to the rostrum, where +they tossed him up into the president's chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're the next president of the miners' +union," they howled.</p> + +<p class="indent">Steve raised a protesting hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, boys; you must choose an older man +than I. You need level heads here. Besides, I +may not be with you next year, but while I am +here I shall work for your good. Good luck, +boys! To-morrow you will go to work, and +there will be happiness in your homes on Christmas +Day."</p> + +<p class="indent">The men had seated themselves again. But +as Steve finished speaking a giant figure rose up +directly in front of the platform.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was Segunder Olsen.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whoop! Y-e-o-w!" howled the giant.</p> + +<p class="indent">The strike was ended. As soon as Steve could +get away he hurried to his room and went to bed. +But his eyes were bright and his heart was full +of happiness.</p> + +<p class="indent">On the following day he was summoned to the +main office of the company, with his companion. +Each lad was handed a bank book by the president, +after the latter had expressed his appreciation +of their splendid work. The bank books +showed that Steve Rush and Bob Jarvis had a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page251" id="page251"></a>[pg 251]</span> +thousand dollars apiece placed to their credit +in the bank.</p> + +<p class="indent">Their work had been well done. They had +done their duty, they had risked their lives and +they had won. Their patriotism for the great +industrial cause had carried them on to a triumphant +success. Next season they were to try +themselves out in new fields, where they were +destined to distinguish themselves in a marked +manner.</p> + +<p class="indent">Their further experiences will be told in a +following volume entitled, "<span class="smcap">The Iron Boys on +the Ore Boats</span>; Or, Roughing it on the Great +Lakes." In that new life the lads were destined +to meet with even more thrilling experiences +than they had had during their eventful career +in the mines on the great iron range.</p> + +<p class="h2a"><span class="smcap">The End</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S</p> + +<p class="h2a">CATALOGUE OF</p> + +<p class="h2a">The Best and Least Expensive +Books for Real Boys +and Girls</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="indent">Really good and new stories for boys and girls are not +plentiful. Many stories, too, are so highly improbable as +to bring a grin of derision to the young reader's face before +he has gone far. The name of ALTEMUS is a distinctive +brand on the cover of a book, always ensuring +the buyer of having a book that is up-to-date and fine +throughout. No buyer of an ALTEMUS book is ever +disappointed.</p> + +<p class="indent">Many are the claims made as to the inexpensiveness +of books. Go into any bookstore and ask for an Altemus +book. Compare the price charged you for Altemus +books with the price demanded for other juvenile books. +You will at once discover that a given outlay of money +will buy more of the ALTEMUS books than of those +published by other houses.</p> + +<p class="indent">Every dealer in books carries the ALTEMUS books.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price</p> + +<p class="h2a">Henry Altemus Company</p> + +<p class="center">507-513 Cherry Street, Philadelphia</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">The Motor Boat Club Series</p> + +<p class="center">By H. Irving Hancock</p> + +<p class="indent">The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories +are wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same +time sound and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay +down an unfinished book in this series.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec</span>; Or, The Secret +of Smugglers' Island.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club at Nantucket</span>; Or, The Mystery +of the Dunstan Heir.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club off Long Island</span>; Or, A Daring +Marine Game at Racing Speed.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club and the Wireless</span>; Or, The Dot, +Dash and Dare Cruise.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">5 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club in Florida</span>; Or, Laying the Ghost +of Alligator Swamp.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">6 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate</span>; Or, A Thrilling +Capture in the Great Fog.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">7 <span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club on the Great Lakes</span>; Or, The Flying +Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">The Range and Grange Hustlers</p> + +<p class="center">By Frank Gee Patchin</p> + +<p class="indent">Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of +life on great ranches in the West? Any bright boy will +"devour" the books of this series, once he has made a +start with the first volume.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Range and Grange Hustlers on the Ranch</span>; Or, The +Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Range and Grange Hustlers' Greatest Round-Up</span>; +Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packer's Combine.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">Submarine Boys Series</p> + +<p class="center">By Victor G. Durham</p> + +<p class="indent">These splendid books for boys and girls deal with life +aboard submarine torpedo boats, and with the adventures +of the young crew, and possess, in addition to the author's +surpassing knack of story-telling, a great educational +value for all young readers.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys on Duty</span>; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo +Boat.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys' Trial Trip</span>; Or, "Making Good" as +Young Experts.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys and the Middies</span>; Or, The Prize +Detail at Annapolis.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys and the Spies</span>; Or, Dodging the +Sharks of the Deep.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">5 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys' Lightning Cruise</span>; Or, The Young +Kings of the Deep.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">6 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys for the Flag</span> Or, Deeding Their +Lives to Uncle Sam.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">7 <span class="smcap">The Submarine Boys and the Smugglers</span>; Or, Breaking +Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">The Square Dollar Boys Series</p> + +<p class="center">By H. Irving Hancock</p> + +<p class="indent">The reading boy will be a voter within a few years; +these books are bound to make him think, and when he +casts his vote he will do it more intelligently for having +read these volumes.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Square Dollar Boys Wake Up</span>; Or, Fighting the +Trolley Franchise Steal.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Square Dollar Boys Smash the Ring</span>; Or, In the +Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">Pony Rider Boys Series</p> + +<p class="center">By Frank Gee Patchin</p> + +<p class="indent">These tales may be aptly described as those of a new +Cooper. In every sense they belong to the best class of +books for boys and girls.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies</span>; Or, The Secret of +the Lost Claim.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Pony Riders Boys in Texas</span>; Or, The Veiled Riddle of +the Plains.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">The Pony Rider Boys in Montana</span>; Or, The Mystery of +the Old Custer Trail.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">The Pony Rider Boys in the Ozarks</span>; Or, The Secret of +Ruby Mountain.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">5 <span class="smcap">The Pony Rider Boys in the Alkali</span>; Or, Finding a Key +to the Desert Maze.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">6 <span class="smcap">The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico</span>; Or, The End of +the Silver Trail.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">7 <span class="smcap">The Pony Rider Boys in the Grand Canyon</span>; Or, The +Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">The Boys of Steel Series</p> + +<p class="center">By James R. Mears</p> + +<p class="indent">The author has made of these volumes a series of romances +with scenes laid in the iron and steel world. Each +book presents a vivid picture of some phase of this great +industry. The information given is exact and truthful; +above all, each story is full of adventure and fascination.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Iron Boys in the Mines</span>; Or, Starting at the Bottom +of the Shaft.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Iron Boys as Foremen</span>; Or, Heading the Diamond +Drill Shift.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">West Point Series</p> + +<p class="center">By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p> + +<p class="indent">The principal characters in these narratives are manly young +Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">Dick Prescott's First Year at West Point</span>; Or, Two +Chums in the Cadet Gray.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point</span>; Or, Finding +the Glory of the Soldier's Life.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">Dick Prescott's Third Year at West Point</span>; Or, Standing +Firm for Flag and Honor.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">Dick Prescott's Fourth Year at West Point</span>; Or, Ready +to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">Annapolis Series</p> + +<p class="center">By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p> + +<p class="indent">The spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted +in these volumes.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">Dave Darrin's First Year at Annapolis</span>; Or, Two Plebe +Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis</span>; Or, Two Midshipmen +as Naval Academy "Youngsters."</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis</span>; Or, Leaders of +the Second Class Midshipmen.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis</span>; Or, Headed +for Graduation and the Big Cruise.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">The Young Engineers Series</p> + +<p class="center">By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p> + +<p class="indent">The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High +School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry +Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Young Engineers in Colorado</span>; Or, at Railroad Building +in Earnest.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Young Engineers in Arizona</span>; Or, Laying Tracks on +the "Man-Killer" Quicksands.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">Boys of the Army Series</p> + +<p class="center">By H. Irving Hancock</p> + +<p class="indent">These books breathe the life and spirit of the United +States Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described +by a master pen.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks</span>; Or, Two Recruits in +the United States Army.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys on Field Duty</span>; Or, Winning Corporal's +Chevrons.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants</span>; Or, Handling Their First +Real Commands.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys in the Philippines</span>; Or, Following the +Flag Against the Moros.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="center">(<i>Other volumes to follow rapidly.</i>)</p> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">Battleship Boys Series</p> + +<p class="center">By Frank Gee Patchin</p> + +<p class="indent">These stories throb with the life of young Americans +on to-day's huge drab Dreadnaughts.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 <span class="smcap">The Battleship Boys at Sea</span>; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle +Sam's Navy.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 <span class="smcap">The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward</span>; Or, Winning +Their Grades as Petty Officers.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 <span class="smcap">The Battleship Boys in Foreign Service</span>; Or, Earning +New Ratings in European Seas.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 <span class="smcap">The Battleship Boys in the Tropics</span>; Or, Upholding the +American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="center">(<i>Other volumes to follow rapidly.</i>)</p> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 445px;"> <img class="border" src="images/iron2advert.png" width="445" height="700" alt="High School Boys Series +By H. Irving Hancock + +In this series of bright, crisp books a new +note has been struck. + +Boys of every age under sixty will be interested +in these fascinating volumes. + +The HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN +1 The High School Freshmen; Or, +Dick & Co's First Year Pranks +and Sports. + +2 The High School Pitcher; Or, +Dick & Co. on the Gridley +Diamond. + +3 The High School Left End; Or, +Dick & Co. Grilling on the +Football Gridiron. + +4 The High School Captain of the Team; Or, Dick & +Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + +Grammar School Boys Series + +By H. Irving Hancock + +This series of stories, based on the actual +doings of grammar school boys comes near to +the heart of the average American boy. + +The +GRAMMAR SCHOOL +BOYS OF GRIDLEY + +1 The Grammar School Boys of +Gridley; Or, Dick & Co. Start +Things Moving. + +2 The Grammar School Boys Snowbound; +Or, Dick & Co. at Winter +Sports. + +3 The Grammar School Boys in the +Woods; Or, Dick & Co. Trail +Fun and Knowledge. + +4 The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics; Or, +Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure. + +Cloth, Illustrated +Price, per Volume, 50c." title="High School Boys Series +By H. Irving Hancock + +In this series of bright, crisp books a new +note has been struck. + +Boys of every age under sixty will be interested +in these fascinating volumes. + +The HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN +1 The High School Freshmen; Or, +Dick & Co's First Year Pranks +and Sports. + +2 The High School Pitcher; Or, +Dick & Co. on the Gridley +Diamond. + +3 The High School Left End; Or, +Dick & Co. Grilling on the +Football Gridiron. + +4 The High School Captain of the Team; Or, Dick & +Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + +Grammar School Boys Series + +By H. Irving Hancock + +This series of stories, based on the actual +doings of grammar school boys comes near to +the heart of the average American boy. + +The +GRAMMAR SCHOOL +BOYS OF GRIDLEY + +1 The Grammar School Boys of +Gridley; Or, Dick & Co. Start +Things Moving. + +2 The Grammar School Boys Snowbound; +Or, Dick & Co. at Winter +Sports. + +3 The Grammar School Boys in the +Woods; Or, Dick & Co. Trail +Fun and Knowledge. + +4 The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics; Or, +Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c." /> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">The Circus Boys Series</p> + +<p class="center">By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely +interesting and exciting life.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making +the Start in the Sawdust Life.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning +New Laurels on the Tanbark.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the +Plaudits of the Sunny South.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with +the Big Show on the Big River.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">The High School Girls Series</p> + +<p class="center">By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.</p> + +<p class="indent">These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the +reader fairly by storm.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; +Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH +SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and +Athletics.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; +Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; +Or, The Parting of the Ways.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="h2a">The Automobile Girls Series</p> + +<p class="center">By LAURA DENT CRANE</p> + +<p class="indent">No girl's library—no family book-case can be considered at all +complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hangindent">1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching +the Summer Parade.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, +The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, +Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.</p> + +<p class="hangindent">4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out +Against Heavy Odds.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Cloth, Illustrated <span class="ralign">Price, per Volume, 50c.</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="tnote"> + +<p class="h2">Transcriber's Notes:</p> + +<hr /> +<p class="indent">Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of +the speakers. Those words were retained as-is.</p> + +<p class="indent">The illustrations have been moved so that they do not break up +paragraphs and so that they are next to the text they illustrate. Thus +the page number of the illustration might not match the page number in +the List of Illustrations, and the order of illustrations may not be the +same in the List of Illustrations and in the book.</p> + +<p class="indent">Errors in punctuations and inconsistent hyphenation were not corrected +unless otherwise noted.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 43, the period after "they quickly disperse" was replaced with +a question mark.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 65, "flattended" was replaced with "flattened".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 72, the period after "the first level" was replaced with a +comma.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 132, a quotation mark was added after "whether it will stand or +not."</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 160, "pur-purposes" was replaced with "purposes".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 226, the comma after "pulling himself together" was replaced, +with a period.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 250, a quotation mark was added after "on Christmas +Day."</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Iron Boys as Foremen, by James R. Mears + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN *** + +***** This file should be named 38994-h.htm or 38994-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/9/9/38994/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, +Ernest Schaal, and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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