There
can be no doubt of it. I feel it plainly. Try it and see if you
don't agree with me, Mr. Phipps."
The engineer stepped up and went through the same process that the boy
had gone through. He repeated the experiment twice more.
"You're right," he exclaimed, letting his hand drop to his side.
"Your good sense is worth more than all my technical knowledge and
training."
"The next question is to find out where the draft comes from. It must
be from the outside somewhere," said Tad hopefully.
"Not necessarily, my boy. Of course it may be drawn down through
crevices covering many feet of solid rock before reaching us. Then
again, the air may come from some subterranean water course. As you
know the mountains are full of them, channel upon channel, some high
and broad enough to drive a coach and four through."
"Oh. I hoped--"
"Never mind regrets, boys. Wherever the air comes from makes little
difference so long as it really is air. It is saving our lives."
"From what?" demanded Walter.
"From eventual suffocation. Were it not for that we would stand a
good chance of dying before they were able to reach us."
The boys were thoughtful for a few moments.
"Hungry?" questioned the engineer.
"Somewhat," admitted Tad.
"We might be more so if we had a chance to think about it," added Ned.
"I've got a package of chewing gum here.
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