It fell with him--they went down together thirty feet, and there was nothing but Nature to blame for it, in spite of what we three thought.

Then, at last, they got a fellow who was willing to work for them in spite of what Rodaine's crowd--and it consisted of everybody in power--hinted about your father's bad reputation back East and--" "My father never harmed a soul in his life!" Fairchild's voice was hot, resentful.

Mother Howard went on: "I know he did n't, Son.

I 'm only telling the story.

Miners are superstitious as a general rule, and they 're childish at believing things.