By this time quite a number of oil workers had gathered around. There was considerable excitement, as it had been rumored a number were killed. As soon as matters quieted down men began attending to the oil well, which was spouting away at a lively rate, the thick oil running in many directions. The hole was piped, and then the stream of crude petroleum was turned into a channel whence it flowed into a reservoir. It had been a successful shooting. As they walked back to the wagon, having brushed the dirt from their clothes, the boys saw a big hole in the ground, not far from where Mr. Post had protected them from injury by sending them on the run out of danger. "What did that come from?" asked Nat. "Nitro-glycerine," replied Mr. Baker. "The juice is powerful stuff." The boys agreed with him. "Call in and see me any time you're in this direction," said the well-shooter, as he shook hands at parting with Mr. Post and the boys. "I will," replied the miner, "when you've gone into the grocery business or taken an agency for a life insurance company. Otherwise it's too risky." When the travelers got back to the station they found the engineer putting the finishing touches to the repairs he and the fireman had been making. The train was about to start. "Where have you been?" asked the conductor as the boys and the miner got aboard. "We've been having a race with death and it nearly won," replied Mr. Post, more solemnly than he had yet spoken. "What's the matter with him? Is he one of those religious fanatics?" asked the conductor, as the miner hurried into the car. "Not much," answered Jack. "We had as narrow a call as I ever want to experience." While the train was getting under way he told the ticket-taker what had happened. The next stop of importance which was reached early the next morning was at Cleveland, and there the boys learned they would have to wait seven hours for another train, as there had been some change in the schedules. "Couldn't be better," said Mr. Post, when he heard about it. "I've always wanted to see a big body of water and here's my chance. What do you boys say to a trip out on Lake Erie? The trolleys go there, I heard a brakeman say." The three chums, who had learned to like their new acquaintance more and more, thought it would be a fine trip to pass away the time. Accordingly after dinner, they boarded an electric car which took them in the direction of the lake. "Shall we go inside or ride on the platform?" asked the miner, as he paid the fares. "Let's stay outside," suggested Nat. "Tumbling trolley cars! But this is quite a town. Let's see all we can." So the four remained on the rear platform. It was not crowded, but, in a little while a number of men got on. The boys and Mr. Post were obliged to move back into the corner. Still they could see well from there.