yed.
Above all, no quarrelling; this is not the time for it. If we begin
that, we are all lost. I think that if we try by the old gallery above
we shall reach the shaft, which is possibly only flooded below, and may
still be practicable above. You, Ivan, lean on somebody. Support the old
man, comrades. We must not leave him here. You are the strongest of all,
Terenti, help him. God will reward you. And now forward with God's
help!"

He uncovered and crossed himself. Every one followed his example.

"What are we to do with these?" asked a miner, pointing to the dead
bodies.

"Nothing. God has undertaken to bury them," answered several voices.
"They are well where they are, for to die thus in an accident is the
same thing as dying after confession. God Himself has willed it. Every
one knows that among us in the Ural."

"Well, may the earth lie lightly upon them."

The overseer raised his torch still higher and the march began. The
miners followed him, skirting the walls timidly. They soon reached the
slanting passage leading to the old deserted gallery, which was above
the one they were leaving.

The overseer entered it resolutely. Keeping closely together, the miners
began to climb up the steep incline, stopping at moments, sometimes to
see if they would be able to advance, sometimes to listen whether there
was not a noise behind them, and whether the gallery they had just
quitted had not fallen in. Before and behind them there was nothing but
darkness, the only light being the flame of the torch. The miners walked
in this dim light while the darkness seemed to follow them and dog their
footsteps. They thus climbed upwards for twenty minutes, sometimes
stooping when the roof came low, then walking erect when possible. If
one of them found himself lagging a little behind, he hastened to rejoin
the rest, their chief fear seeming now to be left alone, as those who
loitered too long were sure to perish.

From time to time the overseer slackened his pace, in order to make
sure that all were present; then he resumed the march.

Suddenly a strong gust of air made the flame of the torch waver. As the
draught became stronger the flame was blown backward and became a long
tongue of fire. A thick smoke blackened the miners' faces, but they took
no notice of it and still advanced. The passage became wider. Remnants
of old beams, decayed with age, projected from the walls and barred
their way, but they strode over them. Sud