"Yes; I shall be very glad to do what I can," he said, glancing up at Mr. Penton. "I am ready to begin at once. Doctor, don't you think it is about time you were letting me get up?"
After taking Steve's temperature and thumping him upon the chest, the physician decided to let the lad get up and dress. He did, however, most emphatically protest against Rush climbing the ladders all the way to the surface.
Steve found himself a little weak from his experiences, and it was decided that he should remain in the mine for the rest of the night, or until the cage machinery had been repaired so he could ride up. The surgeon sat nodding in the pump-man's chair, and the men who had assisted in the rescue returned to their duties in other parts of the mine.
Mr. Penton had been in communication with the surface by telephone. He learned that all was being done that could be done to repair the hoisting apparatus in the shortest possible time, so there was no necessity for him to climb the rest of the way up.
"I think I'll stay down here with you boys for the rest of the night," he said. "Everything is quiet. I see the surgeon has put the engineer out of house and home, so I think I shall lie down on the work-bench and get a little sleep."
"Yes, it is quiet enough," began Steve, when suddenly there came a dull, muffled report. The ground beneath their feet trembled perceptibly, then silence reigned.
Mr. Penton sprang from the bench where he was just composing himself for a sleep.
"What was it?" questioned Bob, his head inclined in a listening attitude.
"It sounded like an explosion," said Steve.
"It _was_ an explosion. That was dynamite, boys. Something is going on here. There should be no blasting in the mines to-night."
Mr. Penton ran to the telephone to find out what the explosion meant.
"It looks as though our work were cut out for us, Steve," said Jarvis in a low tone.
"I am beginning to think so myself," answered Steve, after listening intently for a moment.
"What was it, Mr. Penton?" called Steve, as he saw the superintendent approaching.
"I shall have to leave you," returned the superintendent. "Jarvis, if Rush does not need you, you may come with me."
"Is there any trouble, sir?" questioned Steve.