ers. At the first touch there was
another shower of earth.

"Won't take a whole lot to move it, I guess," he said.

"Hurry, then," enjoined Hal. "The air is stifling down here."

Chester himself felt that he was suffocating and realized the need
for haste.

"All right," he said. "Here's hoping we're not crushed to death. Down
when I give the word."

Again his fingers found a hold and he braced himself for the shock.

"Down!" he cried suddenly.

Hal dropped.

A second time came the dull rumbling from above as Chester swayed to and
fro in his precarious position. Then the lad felt the covering give. One
instant longer he hung on, for he felt that he would have no strength for
a third attempt should this fail.

And then, with a roar, the mass of debris above came tumbling down.

Chester swung himself close to the side of the pit even as he felt the
covering give and came down a short distance from Hal. He covered his
head as well as he could and waited for he knew not what.

It was not long coming.

Something struck the lad a sharp blow upon the shoulder, numbing it.
Behind him the lad heard rocks and other debris crashing 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