Philip is the son of an old mine-owner. His father and mother would have liked him to become something other than an overseer in their mine, but it is what Philip wants to be. Some of the men are engaging in dangerous practices, and deeply resent it when Philip pulls them up over them. One of them swears that he will put his mark on Philip. Under Philip's guidance the mine begins to run well, but still some of the men are resentful of not being allowed to smoke even though there is gas in the mine.At this point there are a couple of those George Manville Fenn situations, which find you wondering "how ever will Philip get out of this?" According to Wikipedia: "George Manville Fenn (January 3, 1831, Pimlico - August 26, 1909, Isleworth) was a British writer. He worked as a teacher in Lincolnshire, until he became printer, editor and publisher of various magazines. He had eight children with his wife Susanna Leake, whom he had married in 1855. Most of his work consists of adventure stories for young readers, featuring Explorers, Smugglers, young Adventurers and Seamen. His adult novels offer critical social commentary on Victorian England, especially reconsidering economic questions."
Philip is the son of an old mine-owner. His father and mother would have liked him to become something other than an overseer in their mine, but it is what Philip wants to be. Some of the men are engaging in dangerous practices, and deeply resent it when Philip pulls them up over them. One of them swears that he will put his mark on Philip. Under Philip's guidance the mine begins to run well, but still some of the men are resentful of not being allowed to smoke even though there is gas in the mine.At this point there are a couple of those George Manville Fenn situations, which find you wondering "how ever will Philip get out of this?" According to Wikipedia: "George Manville Fenn (January 3, 1831, Pimlico - August 26, 1909, Isleworth) was a British writer. He worked as a teacher in Lincolnshire, until he became printer, editor and publisher of various magazines. He had eight children with his wife Susanna Leake, whom he had married in 1855. Most of his work consists of adventure stories for young readers, featuring Explorers, Smugglers, young Adventurers and Seamen. His adult novels offer critical social commentary on Victorian England, especially reconsidering economic questions."