Part 44 (1/2)
”That we are imprisoned far under the surface,” answered the miner impressively.
CHAPTER XXII
THE BOYS FACE A MYSTERY
”Then how are we going to get out?” asked Ned Rector as the guide's match went out.
”That depends upon how long it takes to dig us out,” answered Mr.
Phipps.
”Then they know we are here?” questioned Tad.
”Oh, yes. Luckily for us, they do.”
”Will they have to dig far--is that pile between us and the railroad very thick?” stammered Ned.
”It looks so. Of course I am unable to say what has taken place on the other side of it. The entire main cross cut may have tumbled in for all I know.”
”If it has, what then?” demanded Tad.
”It will take that much longer to get us out. That's all.”
”How long?”
”Master Ned, I don't know. No one can answer that question. Perhaps hours--perhaps days,” said Tom solemnly.
”But we'd starve in that time,” protested Walter.
”One can go without food much longer than one would imagine. People have fasted for more than a month, as you probably are aware. No, boys, they will get us out in time. The only thing that troubles me now is the air,” said the engineer.
”What about it?”
”Well, we can't live without air, you know. It seems to be fairly fresh now, but how long it will continue that way there is no knowing.
I'll examine the barrier, but keep back out of the way while I am doing so.”
The young engineer climbed over the heap of broken rock in front of him, and made a careful inspection of the cave-in that had so effectually imprisoned them in the drift.
He found nothing to encourage him. The condition of the collapse was even worse than he had antic.i.p.ated.
”Can you pace--measure off by taking a series of long steps?” he asked.
”Yes,” replied Tad promptly.
”Then please go back to where the bend in the cut begins, and pace down to where I am.”
Tad did so promptly, glad to be able to do something to occupy himself as well as to help relieve the tension for the others.