In this he was not disappointed.

What took place within the office could only be guessed at, but in less than half an hour a man emerged from the open door and hailed the fellows at work in the shaft-house.

The messenger stood in the full glare of light, revealing to the silent watcher the face and figure of Moore, convincing evidence that this worthy had not been seriously injured during the late encounter.
"Hey, Tom!" he shouted.
The lantern above was waved out over the edge of the timbered platform and a deep voice responded.
"Well, what'che want ?" "Send word down to the boys to come up.

They're laid off fer a while, an' their pay's ready for 'em." "Lay 'em off! Who says so ?" "Lacy, of course; hustle them out now--them's the orders." "Well, that beats hell!" But the lantern vanished as he went grumbling back to his engine.
They came up, talking excitedly among themselves, stumbled down the rough path, and filed into the open door of the lighted office.

There were twenty of them, according to Westcott's count, and the interview within must have been satisfactory as they departed quietly enough, disappearing down the trail toward Haskell.