Diamond Dick's Daring Deeds — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee 04 yr i » Pe ‘ re + ot Te ase eee ae RSE rhe ‘= ¥ _ Oy ® _* > mh ha. » ies horses are in Shans: join Bertie at shaft two. arid Two-S pot can also s there and wait for Burton and ag } a Fritz neg Ss me.” | These orders were Satria out with alacrity, and Dick went back down the ttail to shaft three. Burton was there, and two of the night shift were with hin. A third of the miners had caught the horses and was leading them toward the mine corral. The two men with Burton were Sparks and Gaynor, believed by Dick to be trusty fellows and men on whom he could thoroughly rely. ‘said Dick, guard over this shaft until relieved by my order. ‘*Sparks, ’ “you and Gaynor will stand See that no one comes out of it. If you haven’t any guns, Sparks, go to the ofhce and tell Bertie to give you a couple. Burton, come with me. There’s a warm job on for you and a few more of us.”’ The deputy started for shaft two with Dick, and on the way the old veteran explained the situation. Burton was deeply impressed and more than glad of an opportunity to take part in the mine owners’ night shift. At shaft two quite an excited throng had gathered. Bertie was there, carrying Diamond Dick’s belt and guus, and loaded with asupply of candles; Fletcher was also at hand and Handsonie Harry, and Fritz, and Two- Spot. Coleman, the super, stood near, and the girls, Ella and Chris, were close to Bertie. You understand everything, do you, Coleman ?’’ in- qiured Dick, taking his belt from Bertie and strapping it about his waist. ‘‘I believe so, Mr. Wade.”’ Remember, no light in the mine until I ring for it. We have two inen to look for now, instead of one, and escape for thei is impossible. Give two candles apiece all around, Bertie, and a‘supply of matches. The candles are to be held in reserve. I'll go first, and Burton, as he knows little of the workings, will follow close behind fF > - ! : - 3 i ie, ST, : 77 ay) * 4 wy ‘ ay ~ > ; 2 Bet a» | Bs se" "Oey OT Wa gy. sacs, sh OF weet meow CA ° - 4 ; 7 sas B. > 2 ‘ > eo — ee, ee ae - i ty «* * rs + ’ TS . - ¢ »* ‘ 4 g ° ~ J 48s ay! as “ve Ys . . * e's - Jp? veh +45 ne aL i ¥, ‘ ~~ So: nig » a g. Daw? <9 * se ae > ane - , > from end to énd, atid if the men-we "xe sfteea ram | us, we will corner them ‘before we're through. Burt t on aud I will get off at the level and wait until the re i . 4 you join us. Proceed with as little noise as — that’s the main thing.”’ | | ae There was a profound silence among those presen the old veteran walked to the shaft and made gh oe aa con = go down. | x a rake Already it was dusk in the camp and the arc lights, - none: here and there, were flashing out like immense sparks. ao The throbbing of the hoisting engine from the shaft house over the main shaft could be heard despite the falling of the staimps in the mill. | “YT should think you would go down by the cage in the main shaft,’’ suggested Coleman. ‘‘T prefer to use the ladders,’”’ answered Dick, lower- ‘‘and start our work ing himself down to the first rung, at the extreme north end of the mine.” The veteran’s habitual half smile was about jiis lips as he gave a final look and nod toward the anxious faces surrounding the shaft, then down he went. Burton was quick to follow. «Save a little of the hot work fer the rest of us, Bur- ton,’’ laughed Harry, as the hunchback disappeared. | ‘I have a feeling in my bones that we’ll all get our share,’’ flung back the deputy, his voice welling up rome the blackness. i Harry followed, and Bertie, who was intending to go next, was detained a few moments by the two girls. ‘‘Take care you don’t do anything reckless down there,’* whispered Ella, on one side. “*Be very careful, won’t you, Bertie?’ came in sub- we dued and anxious tones from Chris. | aN Bertie nodded, laughed carelessly, and theh followed Fletcher, who had gone after Harry, waving his hand a ps » Le ; om 4 res, 7 oa a >, 4% in which there was much more than a friendly i 1 ~ « 4 a “a his sister and vouchsafing a quick look at Ella—a met Bertie was startled to see the sentinient in Flete chee T's sft ° _ AL ne he - am . - ‘ * ° "? ¢4 > fund” e a ; ‘ ois i P , 4 e ‘é A ty nity Se 4 ee ee ee adap oto aya dona, wee : ee RAISON LS! ~ ee ; f ~ r ne rere ~ 4 ney * > 98 Sow > “ - [ | of +e ip ae en oe oan oo own