Otis James
Down the Slope
CHAPTER IX
JOE BRACE
During the first five minutes after he was locked in the short drift, Sam Thorpe gave himself up to unreasoning anger. He threw himself again and again upon the timbers as if believing it would be possible to force them apart, and shouted at the full strength of his lungs until he was literally unable to speak louder than a whisper.
Then recognizing the uselessness of such proceedings, he sat down to think over the matter calmly.
"If Fred succeeded in giving the alarm, I'm not in very much danger of being drowned out," he said to himself; "but if he was caught I can count on dying in about two hours."
With this mental speech came the assurance that he had yet a hundred and twenty minutes in which to fight for life, and he resolved not to waste a single second.
The lamp in his cap gave sufficient light for a thorough examination of his prison, and it was soon made. A solid wall of earth and slate surrounded him, the only outlet was through the doors, which were of planks and thickly studded with nails that they might be strong enough to resist a heavy pressure of water.
His only weapon was a stout pocket knife; but even with a saw he could not have cut his way through.
The hinges were next examined. They were fastened to large joists which in turn had been set firmly into the strata of slate.
The only weak point he could find was where the two doors came together, and the flat bolt was exposed. Its entire width and about an inch of its length could be seen thickly covered with rust, and here Sam decided to direct his efforts.
"There isn't much chance I can cut it through in two hours," he said; "but it's better to work than lay still thinking of what may happen."
Breaking the stoutest blade of his knife he began with the jagged surface to scratch at the iron. While cutting through the rust his progress was reasonable rapid; but on firm metal was very much like filing a boiler plate with a pin.
Then the blade of his knife was worn smooth, and he broke off another piece, repeating the operation until the steel had been used to the hilt.
The bolt was cut nearly half through; but as he judged, two hours must have passed.
"If they succeed in flooding the mine I shall still be a prisoner when the water comes," he muttered, and at that moment he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
Two or more had come from the direction of the shaft, and halted near the door.
"It's no use to try and fight our way into the drift through the hole," he heard one of the new-comers say, and recognized the voice as that of Cale Billings.
"Are you goin' to give up beat!"
"Not much. Inside of an hour we'll have fifty men here, and while the fools think we are trying to get in by the slope a tunnel can be made from one of the smaller cuttings."
"What good will that do?"
"If I ain't mistaken we shall come out on the second level where it'll be no more than child's play to get the best of both crowds."
"But suppose Wright has sent for soldiers? I heard he telegraphed to the governor."
"We'll be in possession of the mine, an' I reckon they'll be willin' to make terms with us, for a regiment couldn' drive us out."
"Well, what are you stoppin' here for?"
"I want to see where that boy is. We mustn't lose him yet awhile."
"He's in here."
"An' I reckon he'll stay till we want him," Billings replied with a laugh, after apparently examining the bolt.
Then the two men passed on, and Sam began his slow task again. Hope was strong in his breast, for he knew from the conversation that Fred had succeeded in warning the miners.
He used the small blade, and it wore away so quickly that there could be no chance it would last to complete the work.
"If I could get a purchase on the door it might be broken open now the bolt is cut so much," he said, looking around once more.
Near the uprights was an extra piece of joist standing on end as if forming a portion of the side.
The floor of the cutting was full of irregularities where the slate had been broken or taken out, and this gave him the opportunity to get the required purchase.
With one end of the joist pressed firmly against a slight elevation, and the other on the doors just over the bolt, he clambered up until near the top, when all his weight and strength were brought into play.
Once, twice, he swayed up and down, and then inch by inch the metal yielded until the heavy timbers swung outward, and he was free so far as liberty of movement in the drift was concerned.
At the moment when he emerged there was no one in the passage, and he hurriedly re-closed the doors that his escape might not be discovered by those who should pass.
After some difficulty he succeeded in pushing the broken piece of iron into the sockets in such a manner that a casual observer would hardly notice anything wrong, and then, extinguishing the light in his cap, he went swiftly toward the shaft, arriving there just as half a dozen men were on the point of descending.
Crouching against the wall at one corner the new-comers failed to notice him; but it was impossible to ascend the rope ladder which had been let down, without attracting attention, because of the numbers who continued to arrive at irregular intervals.
During an hour he waited, shrouded from view by the gloom, and then came the desired opportunity.
Two men returned from the further end of the drift, and ascended the ladder.
"I'll follow them and run the risk of being recognized," he said to himself, and suiting the action to the words he climbed the network of rope immediately behind the second rioter.
It was twilight when he arrived at the surface, and Billings' forces were building a row of fires directly in front of the slope.
To start toward the village immediately would be to take too many chances of detection, and Sam loitered on the outskirts of the crowd watching for the desired opportunity, which came when Fred left the slope to carry Donovan's message to Mr. Wright.
Instantly the alarm was given Sam started in pursuit, accompanied by a dozen others, and only by outstripping the rioters could he hope to make his escape.
Fred ran as he had never done before, with the howling mob at his heels, and foremost among them was Sam. Two men were in advance of the escaping prisoner; but by an apparent misstep while he ran alongside the second, the rioter was overturned, and but one remained; the others being so far in the rear as not to count in the chase.
Fred glanced over his shoulder now and then; but the darkness prevented him from recognizing his friend until the latter deliberately threw himself in front of the pursuer, and a tumble was the result.
"Keep on it's me – Sam!" the butty boy shouted, as he scrambled to his feet before the man had fully recovered his senses, and with a cry of glad surprise, Fred asked:
"How did you get away?"
"It's too long a story to tell now when we need all our breath. Are you trying to reach home?"
"No; the store."
"Then you know what Billings' crowd are intendin' to do."
"Yes, and help is needed at once."
Sam made no reply. Both the men he had over-thrown were on their feet again, and, with a dozen others, were close in the rear, making every effort to overtake the fugitives.
The race was virtually won, however, unless other rioters were met on the road. The boys yet had thirty or forty yards the advantage, and before this could be overcome they were within sight of the store, from which, attracted by the shouts, came Mr. Wright and a number of employees.
All of these latter were armed, and the pursuers halted at a respectful distance, while the boys dashed into the building breathless and nearly exhausted.
It was several moments before Fred could repeat the message Donovan had sent, and this was hardly done when a message from the governor arrived, stating that no troops could be sent until the following day.
"I'm afraid those at the mine will have to take care of themselves," Mr. Wright said, when he learned of the condition of affairs there. "If we should leave here, or even divide our force, the store as well as the offices might be sacked."
"But the mine will be flooded if Billings succeeds with the tunnel."
"It can't be helped now. We should need, at least, fifty men to effect an entrance, and eighteen is the full number who can be trusted."
"Those who are there may be drowned."
"There is no danger of that since all hands are on the alert for the first signs of trouble."
"Then Sam and I may as well go home."
"It would be a good idea to tell Brace that he must try to get here unobserved. The men already believe he is in town, and I am afraid they may discover his hiding place, when there's bound to be mischief done."
Disheartened, because after incurring all the danger no real good had been done, Fred motioned to Sam, and left the store.
The streets of the village presented an unusual appearance. Nearly every house was open and lighted as if for a general illumination, while the sidewalks were crowded with throngs of excited women and children.
"This would be a good time for Skip to pay you off," Sam said, as they walked swiftly along. "While so much is goin' on they could do pretty near as they pleased without fear of being stopped."
"What he might do seems to be of little consequence compared with the danger which threatens the poor fellows at the mine. If the lower level should be flooded while they were guarding the drift there's every chance all would be drowned."
"It don't do to think of such things when there's nothing which can be done to help them. It might be worse, an' there's some comfort in that."
"I fail to see anything very cheering in such an idea," Fred replied, and then the two were at Mrs. Byram's home.
The door was locked; but the lightest of taps sufficed to attract the widow's attention, and the visitor received no less warm a reception than did the son.
Brace was so impatient to learn what had been done by the rioters that he descended the stairs immediately upon hearing the boys' voices, and while Mrs. Byram prepared supper, Fred and Sam gave an account of their own adventures, as well as all which was known concerning the mob.
"So I'm to sneak over to the store, eh?" the miner asked, as the recital was concluded.
"That was what Mr. Wright said."
"I'll do nothin' of the kind."
"Why not?"
"Because I've had enough of hidin' like a fellow who had done somethin' wrong."
"But it isn't safe to show yourself."
"I'll take the chances, an' see what Billings' gang can do."
"Don't think of such a thing," Mrs. Byram cried in alarm. "You might be killed."
"A fellow who has worked a matter of half a dozen years at Farley's can't be knocked out so easy."
"Are you going into the street?"
"Yes, an' to the mine if I take the notion."
"What could you do alone against two or three hundred men?"
"Show that there is one fellow who ain't afraid of the whole murderin' gang."
"That would be the height of foolishness."
"I can't help it," was the dogged reply, and Brace rose to his feet as if to leave the house.
Both Sam and Fred sprang up to detain him; but before a word could be spoken by either, angry shouts and cries were heard in the distance.
"They are up to fresh mischief," Sam exclaimed, as he cautiously pulled back the curtains to look out.
"There are a dozen of the rioters on the sidewalk," he cried, "and they are evidently watching us."
Brace ran to Sam's side, and the instant he showed himself some of the men shouted:
"Here's the traitor! We've got him caged!"
"String him up!"
"Yank him out so's the bosses can see how we treat spies!"
These cries were echoed by the body of men who were approaching on a run, and Mrs. Byram said, as she drew Brace from the window:
"They have learned you are here, and in their mad excitement murder may be committed."
Then came from the street as if to give emphasis to her words:
"Hang him! Hang him! He's worse than the bosses!"
"You must go to the store now," Sam cried.
"What's the good? They will get in there as easily as here."
"Mr. Wright and his men are well armed and can protect you."
"There has been no shootin' done yet, an' I'll not be the cause of the first bullet. It is better to give myself up at once."
"You shall not," and Sam clasped the miner around the waist. "Try the back door; it will be possible to give them the slip if you hurry."
Brace hesitated a moment as if unwilling to display anything which might be mistaken for cowardice, and then Fred and Sam literally forced him toward the door.
"While you run I will attract the attention of the men," Mrs. Byram said, as she showed herself at the window, and the miner sprang out at the very instant when half a dozen of the rioters entered the gate.
"Tryin' to give us the slip, eh?" one of the party cried, as all rushed forward.
It was too late for Brace to return; in a twinkling the men had surrounded him. Fred and Sam saw a short but sharp struggle, and before they could so much as make a move toward going to his assistance he was overpowered.
Attracted by the cries of their companions, those at the front of the house came around swiftly, and Brace was half carried, half forced into the street.
Mrs. Byram tried to plead with the mob; but they pushed her aside without ceremony as they shouted:
"We'll show them at the store how we deal with spies and traitors."
"We've got the rope and the sneak, now we only need two or three of the bosses to fix the thing up brown."
"Do you suppose they really mean to hang him?" Fred asked in a tone of awe, and Sam replied sadly:
"I'm afraid they will. Billings always was down on him, and the men are so excited as to hardly know what they are about, so anything is possible."
CHAPTER X
THE RESCUE
The capture of Brace seemed to inflame the passions of the mob, and not even while the buildings were being sacked was the town in such a state of excitement.
By the time the prisoner had reached the vacant lot in front of the store it appeared as if every man, woman, and child in the village were on the street.
Sam and Fred felt impelled to follow the howling, shrieking mob, although it was not probable they could aid the unfortunate man, and both pressed as near as possible.
"Billings' gang haven't got possession of the mine yet," Sam whispered.
"How do you know?"
"Because if that had happened we would see Bill Thomas or Donovan around here somewhere."
"Perhaps they have been made prisoners."
"It isn't likely. Even if they couldn't hold their own it would be possible to retreat in good order, armed as they were."
"Don't you suppose Mr. Wright will try to do something if these fellows really mean to hang Brace?"
"They are bound to help him; but I don't see what can be done against so many."
Owing to the crowd around him it was impossible for the boys to see the prisoner. The men swayed to and fro as if fighting among themselves, and after a time the reason of these movements was made plain.
Two long pieces of timber had been lashed together at one end, and set up like the letter V inverted. These were held in place by some of the mob, and drove through the fastenings at the top was a long rope.
Billings was on hand acting as master of ceremonies, and when this portion of the work had been finished, he shouted:
"Half a dozen of you take hold of the rope, an' when I count three, string him up."
In an agony of apprehension Fred looked toward the store. No one appeared at the door; it seemed as if the bosses had abandoned Joe Brace.
"Stand ready, boys!" Billings shouted. "We'll soon show 'em how we serve out spies."
There was a moment of painful silence, during which more than one of the mob acted as if frightened because of the terrible crime about to be committed, and then an old miner cried:
"Hold on! This thing has gone far enough!"
"What do you mean?" Billings asked angrily.
"Just this: I joined your crowd to stand up for my rights not to commit murder. There's been mischief done already, an' the most of us will be sorry when we've had time to think the matter over."
"Hold your tongue and go home like the rest of the old women."
"I'll stay where I am, an' you'll be the one to go home if the boys take my advice."
Then continuing, the old man reminded the throng that he had worked at Farley's longer than the majority could remember. He spoke of the fact, that until this day, there had been no mob rule; intimated that they were blindly following one in whom very few ever reposed confidence, and asked if they were willing to hang a friend simply because Billings commanded it.
The speech was a long one, and before twenty words were spoken as many determined-looking men gathered around Brace to prevent any harm from being done.
"Don't listen to the old fool," Billings cried, in a voice hoarse with rage; but now very few paid any attention to him, and, when the prisoner's friend finished his appeal there was no danger a human life would be taken.
Some of those who had been most eager to drag Brace away unloosened his bonds, and at least a hundred stood ready to defend him.
At this juncture Mr. Wright came from the store, and the mob were in the proper frame of mind to listen.
He explained the true condition of affairs, told exactly why the works had been shut down, and finished by promising to let the matter be forgotten, regardless of the amount of property destroyed, in case the mob should disperse.
"And if we go home, what then?" Billings asked, sneeringly. "We'll starve to please you, eh?"
"Those who attempted to flood the mine will not starve at Farley's, for all in the plot must leave. Not one of that party can work here; but the others shall be treated as before."
"So we're to be driven out?"
"Certainly. It isn't probable any honest miner would care to work with those who may succeed in drowning their fellows simply to gratify a spite against the officers of the company."
"It will take more than you to drive us away."
"I can at least prevent you from entering the mine, and that I shall do even if it is necessary to station guards entirely around the property. Are you willing to go home now, men, with the assurance that work shall be resumed in the morning."
"Ay, that we are, an' glad of the chance. It was out of the fryin'-pan into the fire when we left one set of bosses to take up with Cale Billings an' his cronies," a miner shouted and immediately the mob dispersed, leaving the leaders standing in the lot, evidently consulting as to how their lost power might be regained.
When Brace was at liberty he joined Sam and Fred, and the three walked to the latter's home, neither speaking until they were inside.
"Do you think the strike is really over?" Mrs. Byram asked, after Fred told her of what had occurred.
"It is so far as the majority of the miners are concerned," Brace replied; "but there's no telling what Billings may contrive to do between now and morning."
"I suppose those men are still in the mine trying to overpower Donovan's party."
"Most likely; but now that Wright has got the upper hand there's little chance they'll be allowed to stay very long."
Despite the excitement on every hand the occupants of Mrs. Byram's cottage were glad to retire at the first opportunity, and before the tumult in the street had died away they sought the needed repose. It had been decided that Brace should remain for a while, since it might be dangerous to meet Billings and his friends while they were smarting under the sting of defeat.
At the usual hour next morning the whistle sounded, summoning the miners to work, and every one responded save those who had been warned to leave the town.
Mr. Wright was at the entrance to the slope, and had a pleasant greeting for each man and boy, causing more than one to look ashamed because of the part taken in the wanton destruction of his property.
Joe Brace and Sam went into the drift, leaving Fred with Chunky, and that young fellow said, as he seated himself at the chute:
"Things have been pretty lively 'round here, eh?"
"I should say so. Were you out with the regulators?"
"I saw 'em once or twice."
"If you'll take my advice you'll leave that crowd. Skip Miller's as bad as Billings."
"Don't speak so loud; he's lookin' over this way, an' may make things hot for you if much is said."
"If he didn't do anything yesterday I guess he ain't dangerous."
"He couldn't find you."
"Then he was lookin' for me?"
"That's what I heard some of the fellers say."
"I should think he'd seen enough of such business; but if he hasn't I'll have to take care of myself."
"Be careful," Chunky whispered. "He an' some of the other fellers think you are more of a spy than Joe Brace was."
"And they mean to flog me for it?"
"Skip says you told Mr. Wright about their droppin' you in the shaft."
"Hadn't I the right to? Do you suppose I'll let them try to kill me, and never open my mouth about it?"
"Well, it ain't safe, for he's got a big crowd."
"Then he hasn't had enough of the riot?"
"It ain't that; but he says the regulators have got to stand up for their rights, an' you haven't paid your footin' yet."
"And I don't intend to. If any of them try to make me it'll go hard with them."
At this point the machinery was started, the stream of coal and slate began to flow through the chute, and the breaker boys were forced to attend to their work.
Several times during the morning Donovan spoke to Fred as he passed, and at twelve o'clock, when all hands were indulging in the forty minutes "nooning," and Chunky had crossed over to speak with Skip, the breaker boss ate his lunch by the new boy's side.
"You didn't come back again last night," he said.
"No, sir. After Brace got away from the mob he and Sam went home with me. We didn't think you'd need us when the trouble was nearly settled."
"Neither did we. As soon as the men found their senses Mr. Wright brought a lot of them up here, an' we soon got rid of Billings' friends."
"Had they begun to dig a tunnel?"
"Bless you, yes, an' were within a dozen feet of Bill Thomas' party when we found them. If the row had lasted two hours longer we couldn't be workin' here to-day, an' some of the boys would be under water."
"Do you think the whole matter is finished?"
"Yes, so far as the majority of the men are concerned; but Billings swears he won't be driven out of town, an' he may manage to do more mischief."
"Why don't Mr. Wright have him arrested?"
"Because he gave his word that nothin' should be done to them as went home peaceably, an' he couldn't jump on Billings without bringing all hands into the scrape. 'Cordin' to my way of thinkin' we've got off cheap."
"Was Mr. Wright's house damaged very much?"
"It'll take a good many hundred dollars to put it in the same condition it was before; but money doesn't count when there's been no blood spilled."
"Do you think there is any chance the men will try to hurt Brace now?"
"That's hard to say. You're in as much danger as he is, for they know that you and Sam stood in with us, an' it's just possible some dirty trick will be played. You an' Bill Thomas' butty are to stop at the office to-night; Mr. Wright wants to see you."
"What for?"
"He'll have to explain that. It's time to go to work again; be careful of yourself."
Donovan walked away as the whistle sounded, and Chunky came back looking very stern.
"You'll get into more trouble by standin' in with the bosses," he said, in what sounded like a threatening tone.
"Does Skip Miller think he can say who I shall talk with?"
"Whether he does or not none of the fellers like bosses' pets."
"Even if I was a 'pet,' as you call it, I can't see how it concerns any one but myself; almost anything is better than being a regulator."
"I've told you what the fellers think, an' that ends it; look out for yourself after this."
"I can't accuse you of ever looking out for me, not even when a hint might have saved me from a pounding."
Chunky made no reply, and Fred understood that, although the riot was ended, his position in the community had not been bettered. One sample of mob rule evidently pleased the regulators, and they were prepared to assert their alleged rights more strongly than ever.
When the day's work was finished Joe Brace and Sam came for Fred, and he walked out of the breaker in their company, while Skip and his adherents stood near the building ready to take advantage of the first opportunity for mischief.
"Don't think we shan't get a whack at you," the leader cried. "Them fellers won't allers be 'round, an' when our time does come things'll be worse than they was in the shaft."
"If I ever hear of your touchin' Fred I'll take a hand in the row myself," Brace said threateningly.
"Oh, yes, you will," Skip replied with a leer, and then led his followers down the road, each one making some insulting remark as he passed.
"I'll straighten that fellow out," Joe said angrily. "He's got the will to do most anything, an' we must take him down a peg before it'll be safe for you to move around."
"Don't say anything to them, for it will only make matters worse. I'll see to it that they don't get another chance at me. Sam, Mr. Wright wants to see us at the store. Will you wait for us, Joe?"
"Indeed, I will. Till things get settled I want to keep my eye on both you boys."
The superintendent was in his office, at one end of the building, when the party entered, and he beckoned them to join him.
"Don't hang back, Brace, for I wish to see you as well. I want to take your butty away, and give you Fred instead. How would you like that?"
"First class, sir."
"I wish to have a few whom I can trust, on the lower level. I don't ask for any spying: but expect to be informed if there is any serious mischief brewing. There may yet be some who will aid Billings to gain his revenge. Sam is to remain with Thomas; but will work near you."
"Very well, sir," and Brace rose to go, thinking the interview was at an end; but Mr. Wright detained him.
"The most important matter is concerning the old shaft and drifts, from which points very much mischief might be done. Sit down while we talk of it."
At this moment Skip Miller entered unobserved by those in the office, and, seeing the occupants of the little room, made his way behind a pile of goods where he could hear very much of what the superintendent said.
