But in the meantime Grace Hope came down in the cage, and caught sight of
her father and came screaming to him, "Father, father!"
"You here, my child!"
"There's a plot to murder you! A man called Burnley is to cause an
explosion at the old works just as you visit them."
"An explosion!" cried Hope, "and fire-damp about. One explosion will
cause fifty--ring the bell--here men! danger!"
Then there was a rush of men.
"Ben Burnley is firing the mine."
There was a yell of fury; but a distant explosion turned it to one
of dismay. Hope caught his daughter up in his arms and put her
into a cavity.
"Fly, men, to the other part of the mine," he cried.
There was a louder explosion. In ran Burnley terrified at his own work,
and flying to escape. Hope sprang out upon him. "No you don't--living or
dead, you are the last to leave this mine."
Burnley struggled furiously, but Hope dashed him down at his feet. Just
as a far more awful explosion than all took place, one side of that
amphitheatre fell in and the very earth heaved.
Pages:
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376