"Has anyone checked the supports?"
Arthur nodded.
"We're assessing the safe approach."
Behind them, Bram Kincaid was shouting at several miners.
"Get in there! They're waiting!"
Arthur turned sharply.
"Not until we secure the entrance."
Bram's face reddened.
"Every minute matters!"
Arthur stared at him.
"So does keeping the rescuers alive."
The foreman opened his mouth.
Elias stepped between them.
"He's right."
Bram turned.
His eyes narrowed.
"You again."
Elias ignored the insult.
He looked toward Arthur.
"What do you need?"
The engineer hesitated.
Then pointed toward a stack of prepared timbers.
"Men who can follow instructions, carry supports, and keep the passage clear while we work."
Elias nodded.
"I can do that."
Arthur looked toward the others.
Several miners stepped forward.
Walter Boone arrived with additional tools.
Within minutes, the rescue effort began taking shape.
No one rushed blindly into the damaged tunnel.
The engineer directed the work, the experienced miners assessed the shifting timbers, and Elias helped organize the heavy supports needed to stabilize the approach.
Behind them, Bram paced angrily.
For once, his shouting accomplished nothing.
The men listened to the person who understood the danger.
Not the person with the loudest voice.
At the Copper Pot, Loretta moved quickly.
She filled the largest pots with water.
She prepared broth using the remaining elk meat.
She set bread to warm near the stove and arranged mugs along the counter.
Then she sent a boy from the neighboring store to fetch blankets and asked two women from the camp to help with food and washing.
Within half an hour, the Copper Pot had become a gathering place for frightened families.
Anna Mercer arrived carrying Ruth.
Her face was pale.
"Daniel's inside."
Loretta took her hand.
"I know."
Anna began crying.
Ruth clung to her skirt.
Loretta guided them toward the reinforced bench.
"Sit here. I'll get you something warm."
Anna shook her head.
"I can't eat."
Loretta nodded.
"Then have tea."
For several minutes, she remained beside the frightened woman.
She didn't make promises about Daniel.
She didn't tell Anna everything would be fine.
She simply listened.
Then Thomas's wife arrived after receiving word from a neighbor.
She had traveled west only a few weeks earlier, and the couple had finally begun planning a life together in Red Dog.
Now she stood in the doorway, trembling.
Loretta approached.
"Come inside."
The young woman stared.
"Have they found him?"
"Not yet."
She began crying.