d.

"They'll try, but whether it'll be possible to do anything is another
matter."

"Can't we begin to dig? We've got one shovel."

"Neither of us knows in which direction to start, an' when workin' more
food would be needed, therefore, to keep alive as long as possible we'd
better stay quiet."

Skip threw himself on the floor close to the end of the cutting, as if
reconciled to whatever might happen, and Sam sat down beside him.

"Do you think there is any chance that we can get out of here?" Fred
asked after a long silence, and Sam replied, gravely:

"We may as well look the matter straight in the face. It's possible they
can strike us without much trouble, but that ain't likely."

During half an hour the boys remained silent and motionless, as if each
was trying to reconcile himself to the terrible doom which threatened,
and then Fred said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:

"It must be near supper time. Suppose we have one square meal?"

"Because a man knows he's slowly drowning there's no reason why he
should try to keep his head under water more than is necessary," Sam
replied, sternly.

"What do you mean?"

"We are not suffering with hunger now, but soon will be, so it's wise to
wait till grub is absolutely needed to keep us alive."

"Then let's do something; this sitting still thinking of what is to come
seems worse than the reality can ever be."

"Very well, we've got a shovel; we'll decide in which direction it's
best to dig, an' begin operations."

"There surely is a chance of striking another drift."

"Yes, there's a chance," Sam replied, as if the conversation wearied
him. "Each one shall say which course he thinks most likely to bring us
out."

Skip wished to continue up the slope, arguing that each inch gained
would carry them so much nearer the surface, while Fred believed it best
to work through the mass of earth that had fallen, because there a pick
would not be necessary.

"We'd better try Skip's plan," Sam finally said. "By making our way
along the old drift a chamber of gas might be struck, when all hands
would be suffocated. Come on, and I'll start it."

He wielded the shovel until tired, the others carrying the earth back to
the foot of the slope in their hats, and then Fred tried his hand at the
labor.

In this manner each did a certain amount of the work, but at the expense
of no slight suffering. In the confined space it was very warm, and this
exercise brought wit