"Take this boy to the hospital," directed the superintendent. "I'm all right, sir. That is, I will be as soon as I recover from the effects of the smoke. I'll----" "I suppose you hid behind the powder-man to save yourself," sneered Spooner. Mr. Penton turned on the man, his face flushing hotly. It was the first time the superintendent had shown the slightest trace of excitement. "That will do, Spooner. You cut that out. You ought to be ashamed of yourself after this boy has saved your life. I know all about it. You will see to it that he gets full time while he is laying off in the hospital." "Not at my expense he won't." "Very well; then let it be at my own. But I shall see to it that you do not get another contract in the Cousin Jack Mine after you have finished with this one. I shall have something to say to you later, also, about this accident." "Oh, of course I'll pay him if that's the way you feel about it. I'll pay him." "I thought you would," answered the superintendent dryly. In the meantime the powder-man had been conveyed to the surface and removed to the hospital in the superintendent's carriage, the driver having received orders to return at once. "Do you feel able to walk, Rush?" questioned the executive. "Ye--yes, sir; I--I think so, sir." "I'll help him," spoke up Bob Jarvis quickly. "Yes; help him to the cage and go up with him." Steve found that he was weaker than he thought, but leaning on Bob's strong arm he made his way to the lower level, where the lads caught the cage a few moments later and were conveyed to the surface. "I'll not forget this, Jarvis," murmured Steve. "Forget what?" "Your kindness to me." "I'm kind to you for another reason. I'll see you later. When you get well I'll have something to say to you, Miss Hurry-up," was Bob's parting shot, as he lifted the lad into the carriage and turned back to the shaft to return to his work below ground. CHAPTER VIII BOB MAKES GOOD HIS WORD "The superintendent wishes to see you at his office when convenient." This message was brought to Steve Rush at his boarding house on the day following the accident in the drift. The lad's wounds had been treated, and he had been allowed to go home late in the afternoon of the same day. The powder-man, however, had been much more seriously injured. It was doubtful if the man ever would be able to work in the mines again. Steve would have returned to work on the following morning, had the superintendent not given orders that he was not to do so, and the superintendent's orders were law in the mines. The lad was somewhat surprised at the summons. However, he lost no time in going over to the offices. The superintendent was out at the moment and Rush was ushered into the handsome private office, where he was told to wait. Steve gazed about him, nodding thoughtfully. "One of these days I shall have an office like this," he thought aloud. "Some day, in the distant future, I shall be a superintendent, too."