f that shell," said Hal,
quietly. "The next question is how to get out."

He put a hand above his head, but could touch nothing. He tried jumping,
but with no better success.

"I can't reach the top," he said.

The lads felt around the sides of the pit. The walls were sheer. It was
useless to think of getting up that way.

"Well, we're up against it," said Hal. "I don't know how we are to get
out of here. By Jove! It's lucky we weren't killed by the shell."

"We might just as well have been as to die down here," said Chester.

"Buck up, old man," said Hal. "We're not dead yet and while there's life
there's hope. We've been in some ticklish positions before and pulled
through all right."

"We were never in a hole like this before," said Chester.

Hal had made his way to one side of the pit.

"Here," he called to Chester, "you climb up on my shoulders and see if
you can reach the top."

Chester did as Hal suggested and his efforts were rewarded by touching
something overhead.

"What luck?" asked Hal.

"Good," said Chester. "I have touched something. Feels like a log."

"Can you pull it loose?"

"If I do we're likely to be crushed down here."

"If you don't we're likely to suffocate down here," returned Hal. "I can
scarcely get my breath now. We'll have to take a chance."

"Then I'll have a try at it," said Chester. "Be ready to crouch close to
the side of the pit when I give the word. I'll come down on top of you
and we'll trust to luck that the debris falls clear."

"All right," said Hal. "Yell when you're ready."

Again Chester tested the covering with his hands. At last he struck a
spot where he could obtain a grip. He decided to throw his weight on it
and see if it would come down. He took a firm hold and then called:

"All right, Hal! Stoop quickly!"

CHAPTER X

UNEXPECTED VISITORS

Came a low, rumbling sound from overhead and a shower of dirt poured
down on Hal as he crouched in his corner. Chester still swung to and fro
from above. The lad felt something give, and believing that the mass
above was about to fall, he dropped quickly alongside Hal and buried his
face in his arms.

But nothing happened.

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 fing