Part 13 (1/2)

Something struck the lad a sharp blow upon the shoulder, numbing it.

Behind him the lad heard rocks and other debris cras.h.i.+ng to the bottom.

Holding his breath, he waited for the blow he felt sure must come from above and unconsciously his right hand stretched out toward where he knew Hal to be.

But nothing struck him. After five seconds of the terrible roaring, there was silence. Chester looked up. There was light above. Chester uttered a short prayer of thankfulness and rose to his feet.

”All right, Hal,” he said, still looking above, while he rubbed his injured shoulder.

There was no reply.

Chester looked quickly about him. There was no sign of Hal.

”Great Scott! What can have happened to him?” he asked himself anxiously.

Quickly he fell to hands and knees and explored the bottom of the pit.

There, where he knew Hal should be, he felt a mound of earth.

”Great Scott! He's buried!” cried Chester.

Frantically he set to work with his bare hands to uncover Hal.

In a few moments his efforts were rewarded. He exposed Hal's arm. From the position the arm was in Chester was able to locate his chum's head.

This he uncovered quickly, for he feared that his friend might suffocate.

Then he bent over Hal and listened.

Hal was breathing faintly.

Chester uttered a cry of relief and proceeded to uncover the rest of his friend's body. This done, he set about reviving Hal, who was unconscious.

Chester rubbed Hal's hands vigorously, and was at last rewarded by hearing Hal sigh. A moment later Hal spoke.

”What's happened?” he asked.

”Well, it looks like the world caved in on you,” returned Chester.

”Fortunately, appearances are deceitful. I yanked the log loose from above and you were buried in the dirt. Fortunately, I got you out in time. How do you feel?”

”I don't feel very chipper,” was the faint reply; ”but I guess I'm all right.”

”Can you get up?”

”Don't know; I'll try.”

He made the effort, and with Chester's a.s.sistance, soon stood leaning against one side of the pit. He looked up.

”Quite a ways up there,” he said. ”How are we going to make it?”

”Think you can climb up on my shoulders, pull yourself out and then lend me a hand?”

”I don't believe so. Guess I can brace myself while you climb up, though.”