Tom waited on the last solid rung while this order was being carried out.  By and by Hunter reached him with one end of a long, knotted line.

“Don’t pass down any more,” Tom called, “until I have made this end fast.”

This was soon done, and the rest of the rope was lowered.

“Hunter,” Tom asked, “are you good for going down a hundred feet or so on a knotted rope?”

“I don’t believe I am, sir.”

“Then don’t try it.  Go up and send down two or three men who feel sure they can do it.  But urge every man against taking the risk foolishly.  For a man who can’t handle himself on a knotted rope it’s a fine and easy way to break his neck.”

“Are you going down now, sir?”

“At once.”

“Then I’ll stay here and hold a lantern for you,” replied Hunter, doggedly.  “I won’t stir until I know you’re safe at the bottom of the shaft.”

“Go ahead up,” ordered Tom.  “I’m tying a lantern to my coat.”

This he was even then doing, in fact, making the knot with a handkerchief passed through one of the button-holes of the garment.

“Why don’t you go up, with my message, Hunter?” Tom demanded.

“I’m afraid I can’t stir, sir, until I know that you’re safe at the bottom.”

“Nonsense!  What could you do to save me if I lost my hold and fell?” Tom questioned.

“Nothing at all, sir; but I’ll feel a heap easier when I know you’re safe at the bottom.”

“All right, then,” called Reade.  “Watch me!”

He swung off into space with the skill and sureness of the practiced athlete.  A little later Tom touched bottom, calling up: 

“Now, get busy, Hunter.  I’m all right.”

“Are you at the bottom of the shaft, sir?”

“I’m on solid ground, but I’m not sure about being at the bottom of the shaft.  I’m afraid the opening to the tunnel has been blocked.  Send down two or three men, and then some tools.  The tools can come down in the tub, but forbid any men to try that way.  The tub is too uncertain and likely to tip over.”

“If the tub tips out a pick or two, they might fall on you, sir, and wind up your life,” Hunter objected.

“That’s a chance to which no good sport can object,” laughed Tom.  “Go ahead and see that my instructions are carried out.”

One of the men came down the rope first.  He landed safely, but looked at his hands in the dim light.

“That’s a hard road to travel, Mr. Reade,” he remarked.  “I’ll not be much pleased with the trip back.”

“It’s easy to any one who has had enough practice,” Tom observed, mildly.

Then two other men came down in turn.

“We’ve enough men here,” shouted Reade.  “Now send tools.”

Before long the young engineer had his little force busily engaged.

Of course, many of the timbers had been blown out of the walling of the shaft.  There was danger of the dirt caving in on the few workers below.