CHAPTER IV THE FORD FAMILY


TEN minutes afterwards, James Starr and Harry issued from
the principal gallery. They were now standing in a glade,
if we may use this word to designate a vast and dark excavation.
The place, however, was not entirely deprived of daylight.
A few rays straggled in through the opening of a deserted shaft.
It was by means of this pipe that ventilation was established
in the Dochart pit. Owing to its lesser density, the warm
air was drawn towards the Yarrow shaft. Both air and light,
therefore, penetrated in some measure into the glade.

Here Simon Ford had lived with his family ten years,
in a subterranean dwelling, hollowed out in the schistous mass,
where formerly stood the powerful engines which worked
the mechanical traction of the Dochart pit.

Such was the habitation, "his cottage," as he called it, in which resided
the old overman. As he had some means saved during a long life of toil,
Ford could have afforded to live in the light of day, among trees,
or in any town of the kingdom he chose, but he and his wife and son
preferred remaining in the mine, where they were happy together,
having the same opinions, ideas, and tastes. Yes, they

were quite fond of their cottage, buried fifteen hundred feet
below Scottish soil. Among other advantages, there was no
fear that tax gatherers, or rent collectors would ever come