The first twenty-four hours over, the stall--or rather the heading, for
it was now driven as narrow as it was possible for four men to work at
once--had greatly advanced; indeed it would have been difficult even for
a miner to believe that so much work had been done in the time.
There was, however, no change in the appearances; the water still
trickled in, but they could not see that it came faster than before. As
fast as the coal fell it was removed by one of the men who were next for
work, so that there was not a minute lost from this cause.
During the next twenty-four hours almost as much work was done as during
the first; but upon the third there was a decided falling off. The
scanty food was telling upon them now.
The shifts were lengthened to an hour to allow longer time for sleep
between each spell of work; and each set of men, when relieved, threw
themselves down exhausted, and slept for three hours, until it was their
turn to wake up and remove the coal as the set at work got it down.
At the end of seventy-two hours the water was coming through the face
much faster than at first. The old miners, accustomed to judge by
sound, were of opinion that the wall in front sounded less solid, and
that they were coming to the old workings of the Logan pit.
In the three days and nights they had driven the heading nearly fifteen
yards from the point where they had begun. Upon the fourth day they
worked carefully, driving a borer three feet ahead of them into the
coal, as in case of the water bursting through suddenly they would all
be drowned.
At the end of ninety hours from the time of striking the first blow the
drill which, Jack holding it, Bill Haden was just driving in deeper with
a sledge, suddenly went forward, and as suddenly flew out as if shot
from a gun, followed by a jet of water driven with tremendous force.
A plug, which had been prepared in readiness, was with difficulty driven
into the hole; two men who had been knocked down by the force of the
water were picked up much bruised and hurt; and with thankful hearts
that the end of their labour was at hand all prepared for the last part
of their task.
After an earnest thanksgiving by Mr. Brook for their success thus far,
the whole party partook of what was a heartier meal than usual,
consisting of the whole of the remaining food. Then choosing the
largest of the drills, a hole was driven in the coal two feet in depth,
and in this an unusually heavy charge was placed.
"We're done for after all," Bill Haden suddenly exclaimed. "Look at the
lamp!"
Every one present felt his heart sink at what he saw. A light flame
seemed to fill the whole interior of the lamp. To strike a match to
light the fuse would be to cause an instant explosion of the gas. The
place where they were working being the highest part of the mine, the
fiery gas, which made its way out of the coal at all points above the
closed doors, had, being lighter than air, mounted there.
"Put the lamps out," Jack said quickly; "the gauze is nearly red-hot."
In a moment they were in darkness.