Jarvis came running back a few minutes later.
"The cage-tender says the machinery has broken down."
"He said the engineer had sent word that the big cog wheel had stripped itself. They can't move the cage, and probably will not be able to do so for some hours. They are taking the old wheel off now, preparatory to putting on the spare wheel."
Mr. Penton clenched his hands to keep from expressing himself as he would like to do.
"We must get this boy somewhere where we can warm him up, or he will die on our hands. The only place I know of is the pump station and----"
"Then we will carry Steve up the ladders," interrupted Bob.
"But, boy, it is nearly a thousand feet from here to the pump station. We can't get him up there by hand."
"I'll show you whether we can or not. One of you go ahead and light the way. Help me through the manholes at the platforms and we'll get him up there in short order. Mr. Penton, will you have somebody follow close behind me to help a little?"
"Do you think you will be able to do it?"
"No, sir; I will carry him. You are not able. You are still suffering from the bump you got."
Without further words Jarvis picked up the limp form of his companion. He staggered a little as he swung Steve over his shoulder, the boy's head drooping over on Bob's left breast. Then began a climb that is talked of to this day in the Cousin Jack Mine. Up ladder after ladder staggered Bob Jarvis with the form of his companion over his shoulder. Now and then he would pause on a landing for a breathing spell, where, with heaving chest, he would lean against the rocky wall with eyes closed and everything swimming dizzily about him. Mr. Penton and the searching party followed him up the ladder, but he would let none of them relieve him of his burden.
"Had--hadn't you better telephone for a surgeon to meet us at the pump station?" asked Jarvis.
"Let him climb down the ladders. I guess he can climb down if we can go the other way."
"It shall be done at once." Mr. Penton gave the order and the mine captain left them at the next landing to telephone to the company's hospital.
After a long struggle they reached the level where the pump station was located. Even here Bob Jarvis refused to give up his burden. He staggered down the level to where the big pumps were working, tenderly laying Steve down on a blanket that the engineer had thrown down. Then Bob settled down in a heap.