Here three
men were waiting, with whom Lawler and Andrews held a short,
eager conversation. Then they all moved on together. It was
clearly some notable job which needed numbers. At this point
there are several trails which lead to various mines. The
strangers took that which led to the Crow Hill, a huge business
which was in strong hands which had been able, thanks to their
energetic and fearless New England manager, Josiah H. Dunn, to
keep some order and discipline during the long reign of terror.
Day was breaking now, and a line of workmen were slowly making
their way, singly and in groups, along the blackened path.
McMurdo and Scanlan strolled on with the others, keeping in sight
of the men whom they followed. A thick mist lay over them, and
from the heart of it there came the sudden scream of a steam
whistle. It was the ten-minute signal before the cages descended
and the day's labour began.
When they reached the open space round the mine shaft there were
a hundred miners waiting, stamping their feet and blowing on
their fingers; for it was bitterly cold. The strangers stood in
a little group under the shadow of the engine house.
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