Having drilled his holes in the "breast" of coal in his "chamber" the miner is now ready to blast down several mine-car loads. It is back in these places that the mine fires so often begin. One miner, careless and indifferent, may undermine every precaution and safeguard that can be taken and provided by the company and all the other miners together. And the pity is that often familiarity with gas and powder and fire breed contempt for their dangers, with the resultant horrors of a mine disaster.