i6 



Evening is coming on, and by the sounding of the 

 five o'clock steam horns of the workshops and pits, 

 I learn the day's toil is over. Among the workmen 

 returning to the town are several showing the signs 

 of advancing age not a few of the employees have 

 been in the service for thirty years, and many for 

 twenty years. It is not to be wondered at that a 

 strong feeling of loyalty exists towards the manage- 

 ment. The hours of labour of the artizans and out- 

 siders are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., an hour being al- 

 lowed at noon for dinner, and on Saturdays work fin- 

 ishes at i p.m. 



Tired with the day's ramble round the works, and 

 in prospect of an early rising to go down the pit on 

 the morrow I gladly seek rest at one of the several 

 well appointed hotels of Nanaimo, and with a feeling 

 akin to that of one about to enter upon some des- 

 perate adventure retire to sleep, leaving strict orders 

 to be called early on the morrow. The pit horns had 

 given a long sounding blast at 9 a.m., signifying that 

 there would be "work all round" next day. 



DOWN NO. I PIT. 



Early, very early, at 4.30 a.m., the first "miners' 

 call" of three unearthly and long drawn soundings 

 of the pit horn disturbed me from a blissful 

 slumber. At five two more blasts, and after 

 despatching a bowl of porridge, I hurry off. I ar- 

 rive at the works, just as the half-past five single toot 

 rings out, to see a crowd of workmen get on their 

 train and leave for No. 5 pit. The men on the morn- 

 ing shift for No. I come trooping along and soon 

 the pit- head is crowded with sinewy men equipped 

 with lunch buckets, tea cans, and powder cans, and 

 these with a lamp-crowned cap, complete the miner's 

 outfit, his sharpened tools picks and auger drills 

 having been sent previously to the pit's bottom. Mule 

 drivers have their stout whips around their necks. All 

 have white faces and clean clothes for the nonce. 

 At six o'clock precisely, Mr. Archibald McGregor, 

 the wcigh-master, arrives, and signals are sounded 

 by the gongs, from top to bottom, and to the engine 



