"Anything wrong?" asked Tad, who was close behind him.
"I don't know. Be careful. There's a lot of rubbish under foot
ahead. I don't like the looks of it at all. Stand where you are."
After proceeding a few paces, their guide halted, holding a match high
above his head. He turned toward them slowly.
"The rocks have caved in, boys. There's a solid wall in front of us."
"Which means," asked Tad hesitatingly.
"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.
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