midnight
Kenneth came running to join them , and Espinosa stood by . Kenneth had dynamite bombs with fuses ready for lighting and throwing . He also brought more ammunition , and the three armed themselves to the teeth . It was well after midnight when they started into the mine . They knew they must act quickly or retreat , for the bellowing sounded nearer and nearer the surface of the earth . Each man carried big , powerful flashlights , and the three entered the mine shaft and walked across the seething slugs into the bowels of the earth . `` Stay close together , '' ordered old Gurlone .