r."

"And I am with you," added Whopper.

"It's a question how to get out," answered the doctor's son. "That
hole is shut by the rock that fell."

"We'll find some other hole, or else go below," said Snap, who was
as willing as anyone to leave the place.

They moved around, examining one spot and then another. At two
points they saw openings between the rocks but they were mere
narrow slits and not one of the lads could get through them.

"I guess we'll have to go below," said Shep, at last. "I hate to
do it, too, for it will be no easy matter to climb out of that hole
where we took the tumble."

"It's the only thing to do," answered Giant. "Come on," he added.
"Staying here is making me nervous. If another tree should come down
we might be buried alive."

They went back, and climbed down to the cave below. They had now
but one torch and this was almost burnt out. As quickly as they
could, they hurried to where they thought the hole was located. Only
a mass of rocks and dirt met their view.

"What does this mean?" cried Whopper.

"We have made a wrong turn---this is not the spot," said Giant.

"It looks like the spot to me," added the doctor's son, doubtfully.

"It is the spot," said Snap, and his voice betrayed his great
anxiety.

"Yes, but where is the opening?" questioned the others in concert.

"It is gone."

"Gone!

"Yes, there has been a landslide or something, and the hole has been
covered up!"

CHAPTER XXIX

VISITED BY THE GHOST

For the moment after Snap made his dismaying announcement none of
the young hunters spoke. Was it really true---was the hole covered
up, and were they buried alive under the mountain?

It was a truly horrible thought, and every one of the lads shivered.
They looked at the torch, now burnt so low it was hard to hold, and
then gazed at each other.

"Oh, Snap, we must find some way out!" faltered Giant. His voice
shook so he could hardly speak.

"Yes, let us get out as soon as we can," added Whopper.

They soon saw that what Snap had said was true---there had been a
heavy landslide and the hole beyond the cave was filled up completely.
Through the loose rocks and dirt the water was trickling and soon
formed a fair-sized stream that flowed over the cave floor and
disappeared into a crevice at one side.

"Well, we can't get out this way, that's sure," said Snap, after
an examination. "We must find some other opening."

They hurried around,