Down the Slope. Otis James

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СКАЧАТЬ and instantly the greatest excitement prevailed. The group increased in numbers each moment, and Billings took upon himself the office of spokesman.

      One proposed they march in a body to the superintendent's house and demand that the machinery be started again. Another insisted on forcing their way into the mine to ascertain the true cause of the stoppage, and in this last speaker Fred recognized one of the men who had helped make Joe Brace a prisoner.

      "They want to find him before Mr. Wright orders an examination," he whispered to Sam, and the latter replied:

      "In less than an hour they'll have force enough to do as they please. It's time we were out of this; you go home to tell Joe, and I'll see Mr. Wright if possible."

      Fred was all the more willing to follow this advice because Skip and his party were in the immediate vicinity, and the lawlessness of the men might render them bold enough to administer the promised flogging then and there.

      The streets of the little town were crowded with knots of miners, some of whom seemed to think the superintendent had acted for their good, while others were indulging in the most extravagant threats.

      Mrs. Byram was standing in the doorway when her son arrived, and it could readily be seen by her face how relieved she was to have him with her once more.

      "You mustn't leave the house again to-day," she said in a tremulous voice. "Go up stairs and tell Mr. Brace what has happened."

      The miner was impatient to learn the cause of the excitement, for he could hear the hum of voices on the street; but did not care to look out of the window for fear of being seen.

      Fred's story was not a long one, and he had to repeat it several times before Brace was satisfied.

      "I s'pose Wright knows his own business best; but it looks mighty dangerous to shut down so sudden."

      "Perhaps it was the only course to pursue," Fred suggested. "Billings' crowd may have been so near carrying their plot into operation that there was no time for anything different."

      "That might be; but take my word for it, there's going to be trouble at Farley's before this fuss is settled."

      "Do you think Billings would dare to force his way into the mine?"

      "He'd dare do anything with men enough at his back."

      "Suppose they got in and didn't find you?"

      "I ain't thinkin' of myself, for it would be easy to get out of town."

      "If they have an idea you've escaped from the drift all hands will be on the watch, knowing you could expose their plot."

      "Everything is correct so long as they don't find out where I am, an' when it's time to move I'll agree to give 'em the slip. Go down stairs so you can see if the trouble is about to begin."

      Before Fred could obey, Sam Thorpe burst into the room.

      "There's a regular mob on the way to Mr. Wright's house. They threaten to burn it if the works are not opened in an hour."

      "Where is the superintendent?" Brace asked.

      "In the mine I think; he's not at home, for I just came from there."

      "Is Billings leadin' them?"

      "Yes."

      "How many of the company's men are on guard at the slope?"

      "About a dozen."

      "Who are they?"

      Sam repeated the names, and Brace said musingly:

      "There are one or two that I'm doubtful of. They've been too thick lately with Billings."

      "It can't be helped now, for Mr. Wright wouldn't dare show himself long enough to make any change."

      At this moment a loud cry from the street caused the boys to run quickly down the stairs, and Brace ventured to look out from between the folds of the curtain.

      The mob, in a spirit of bravado and to gain recruits, were parading the streets before making their demands, and had halted in front of the company's store that Billings might harangue those near by. He was dilating upon the wrongs inflicted on honest workingmen, and calling for everyone to join in the struggle for their rights, when, to the astonishment of all, Mr. Wright appeared, coming from the direction of the slope.

      The superintendent would have passed the mob and entered the store, but that the men barred his way, forcing him to halt directly in front of Mrs. Byram's home.

      "We was lookin' for you," Billings said insolently, as he stepped close to Mr. Wright.

      "Well, now that you have found me speak quickly, for there is very much that I must do before night."

      "Open the works!" a voice shouted.

      "Give us a chance at the bosses!"

      "Tell us what's the matter. Why are we thrown out of a job?"

      "Hold on!" Billings cried, "I'll do the talking."

      It was several moments before the tumult ceased sufficiently for the leader to make himself understood, and meanwhile the superintendent stepped on the threshold as Mrs. Byram opened the door.

      "In the first place," Billings began, "we want to know why the works have been shut down?"

      "Because the pumps in the lower level are choked, and there is every danger that portion will be flooded."

      "But why are us miners barred out?"

      "It is evident someone has been trying to work mischief, and I do not care to run the risk of allowing the same party free access to the place until all the damage is repaired."

      "Do you mean to accuse us of tryin to drown each other?" one of the throng asked.

      "I shall make no accusations until everything can be proven; but meanwhile all must remain out of the works that the guilty parties may not be able to do worse mischief."

      "That is only a trick to keep us idle so the store bills put us more completely in your power," Billings cried insolently.

      "You know the company must lose a great deal of money by taking the men out."

      It was impossible for Mr. Wright to make himself heard further. The miners began to speak, each one for himself, and little could be distinguished save the threats to burn the houses belonging to the officers of the works, if the machinery was not started immediately.

      After this threat had been made the men grew more bold, and before those in the cottage had time to screen themselves a shower of stones were flung at the superintendent, who barely succeeded in protecting himself by jumping behind the door.

      Fred and Sam, the latter of whom had an ugly cut on the cheek, closed the door quickly, bolting and barricading it with the furniture nearest at hand, and the riot had begun.

      The angry men pelted the house with such missiles as could be most easily procured, and during two or three minutes it seemed as if the building must be wrecked.

      Mr. Wright would have run into the street as the only way by which the widow's property could be saved; СКАЧАТЬ