Then, still inspecting, he went to the other extremity of the mine, and
reached a sort of hall or amphitheatre much higher than the passages.
This was a centre with diverging passages on one side, but closed on the
other. Two of these passages led by oblique routes to those old works,
the shoring of which had been reported unsafe.
This amphitheatre was now a busy scene, empty trucks being pushed off,
full trucks being pushed on, all the men carrying lighted lanterns, that
wavered and glinted like "wills of the wisp." Presently a bell rung, and
a portion of the men, to whom this was a signal, left off work and began
to put on their jackets and to await the descent of the cage to take them
up in parties. At this moment Hope met, to his surprise, a figure that
looked like Ben Burnley. He put up his lamp to see if he was right, and
Ben Burnley it was. The ruffian had the audacity to put up his lamp, as
if to scrutinize the person who examined him.
"Did I not discharge you?" said Hope.
"Ay, lad," said Ben; "but your master put me on again.
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