After following along the entry for some distance, almost a mile, we
came to that portion of the mines where I was to work. Coming up to
the place where the officer was seated, the headquarters of this
division, my guide made a low bow, and informed the officer in charge
that he had brought him a man. Then bowing himself out, he returned to
his place at the foot of the shaft.

The officer in whose division I was to work now signaled his
messenger, and there came out of the darkness another convict,
stripes, cap, lamp and all.

"Get Reynolds a set of mining tools," said the officer.

These were soon brought, and consisted of a pick, a short-handled
shovel, two iron wedges and a sledge hammer,

"Take him," said the officer, "to room number three, and tell George
Mullen, who is working in that room, to teach him how to mine."

I got my arms around those implements of coal warfare, and following
my escort, passed along the entry for some distance, possibly two
hundred yards, when the roadway in which we were walking suddenly
terminated, and instead, there was a small hole that went further on
into the earth. When we came to this place my guide dropped down on
his hands and knees and passed into the room. I halted. I had never
been in such a place before. I did not know what there was in that
dark hole. Soon my escort called out, "Come along, there is nothing in
here to hurt you." So I dropped down on my hands and knees and into
the dark hole I went.