Directly Chester rose to his feet.
"I thought it was coming," he said to Hal. "Guess I didn't hang on long
enough. I'll have another try. Lend me your shoulders again."
Hal also stood up and took his position. Chester clambered up and again
explored the covering with his fingers. At the first touch there was
another shower of earth.
"Won't take a whole lot to move it, I guess," he said.
"Hurry, then," enjoined Hal. "The air is stifling down here."
Chester himself felt that he was suffocating and realized the need
for haste.
"All right," he said. "Here's hoping we're not crushed to death. Down
when I give the word."
Again his fingers found a hold and he braced himself for the shock.
"Down!" he cried suddenly.
Hal dropped.
A second time came the dull rumbling from above as Chester swayed to and
fro in his precarious position. Then the lad felt the covering give. One
instant longer he hung on, for he felt that he would have no strength for
a third attempt should this fail.
And then, with a roar, the mass of debris above came tumbling down.
Chester swung himself close to the side of the pit even as he felt the
covering give and came down a short distance from Hal.
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