"I will follow you, my lad," said the engineer, signing to the young
man to precede him.

"As you please, Mr. Starr."

"Have you your lamp?"

"Yes, and I only wish it was still the safety lamp, which we formerly
had to use!"

"Sure enough," returned James Starr, "there is no fear of
fire-damp explosions now!"

Harry was provided with a simple oil lamp, the wick of which he lighted.
In the mine, now empty of coal, escapes of light carburetted hydrogen
could not occur. As no explosion need be feared, there was no
necessity for interposing between the flame and the surrounding air
that metallic screen which prevents the gas from catching fire.
The Davy lamp was of no use here. But if the danger did not exist,
it was because the cause of it had disappeared, and with this cause,
the combustible in which formerly consisted the riches of the Dochart pit.

Harry descended the first steps of the upper ladder.
Starr followed. They soon found themselves in a profound obscurity,
which was only relieved by the glimmer of the lamp.
The young man held it above his head, the better to light
his companion. A dozen ladders were descended by the engineer
and his guide, with the measured step habitual to the miner.
They were all still in good condition.