CHAPTER XXVIII 

THE LOST LANDSLIDE MINE 

"They cut the ropes! See, here is where it was done, on this jagged rock!" 

As Dave spoke he pointed to a sharp edge of stone. Beneath it were bits of rope, showing how the fetters had been sawed in twain. 

"One of 'em must have got loose and then freed the other," remarked Roger. 

"But who was on guard?" demanded Tom Dillon, sharply. He looked at the boys and then at Abe Blower. 

"I was, but I--I guess I fell asleep," faltered Phil, sheepishly, and grew red in the face. 

"Fell asleep!" cried Abe Blower. "I guess you did!" And his tone of voice showed his disgust. 

"I--I am awfully sorry," continued the shipowner's son. "I--I really don't know how it happened. It wasn't the thing to do." 

"Never mind, it's done and that's the end of it," put in Roger, quickly, for he could see how badly his chum felt over the occurrence. "I guess you were pretty tired." 

"I was, Roger. Just the same, I had no business to fall asleep. I'm mad enough to kick myself full of holes," went on Phil, grimly. 

"Let us see if they took anything with 'em," came from Tom Dillon, as he turned to where their things and the animals were, but they had not been disturbed. 

"I guess they were too scared to touch anything," declared Dave. "They were glad enough to save themselves. I imagine they ran away as soon as they were free." And in this surmise our hero was correct. Link had been the one to sever his bonds and he had untied Job Haskers, and then both of them had lost not an instant in quitting the locality, being afraid that some of the others might awaken before they could make good their escape. 
Whose face changed colors?
Phil, sheepishly, and grew red in the face