cient food and drink to sustain them, they might in time
accomplish what they had set about; but wanting these, their strength
would soon give way, and then--ah! then--

The guide was still standing on the ledge, pursuing this or a similar
train of reflection, when all at once a sight came, not under but above
his eyes, which caused him to utter an exclamation of joy.

It was the sight of his comrade's face--only that!

But this had in it a world of significance. He could hot have seen that
face without light. Light had been let into their rock-bound abode, so
late buried in the profoundest darkness.

It was but a feeble glimmer, that appeared to have found admission
through a tiny crevice under the huge copestone; and Hamersley's face,
close to it, was seen only in faint shadow--fainter from the film of
smoke yet struggling up the shaft.

Still was it light--beautiful, cheering light--like some shore-beacon
seen by the storm-tossed mariner amid the dangers of a night-shrouded
sea.

Hamersley had not yet spoken a word to explain what had occurred to
cause it. He had suddenly left off chipping the rock, and was at rest,
apparently in contemplation of the soft silvery ray that was playing so
benignly upon his features.

Was it the pleasure of once more beholding what he lately thought he
might never see again--the light of day? Was it this alone that was
keeping him still and speechless?

No, something else; as he told his comrade when he rejoined him soon
after on the ledge.

"Walt," he said, "I've let daylight in, as you see; but I find it'll
take a long time to cut a passage out. It's only the weeds I've been
able to get clear of. The big rock runs over at least five feet, and
the stone turns out harder than I thought of."

These were not cheering words to Walt Wilder.

"But," continued Hamersley, his speech changing to a more hopeful tone,
"I've noticed something that may serve better still; perhaps save us all
the quarrying. I don't know whether I'm right; but we shall soon see."

"What hev ye noticed?" was the question put by Wilder.

"You see there's still some smoke around us."

"Yes, Frank, my eyes tell me that plain enuf. I've nigh nibbed 'em out
o' thar sockets."

"Well, as soon as I had scooped out the crack that let in the daylight.
I noticed that the smoke rushed out as if blasted through a pair of
bellows. That shows there's a draught coming up. It can only come from
some apertu