bound to do what they could while the torch
lasted. But soon the light flickered up and went out, leaving them
in total darkness.

"Let us keep together," said Shep. "It won't do to get separated."

All were willing to follow his advice, and they, slung their firearms
over their backs and took hold of hands. Then they moved around the
cave with caution.

"I see a light!" cried Whopper, when they had reached a far corner
of the cave. "Look there!"

He pointed overhead. Sure enough there was a small hole. Through
it ran a tiny stream of water.

"That hole won't do us any good," sighed Snap. "In the first place
it is too small and in the second place it is out of our reach.
We'll have to find something better."

They moved on, and after a long time had passed Giant found a slit
between two rocks. They made an examination and found one of the
rocks loose. They rolled it away and felt a rush of pure, wet air.

"Here's an opening!" cried the small youth, enthusiastically. "Oh,
if only we can make it large enough!"

"We must make it large enough!" cried Shep, and then all went to
work with vigor, pulling back such rocks as they could move and
digging at the dirt with their bare hands. They had to make a
regular tunnel ten or more feet long and it took them over an hour
to do it. Their arms and backs ached from the labor, and their
hands were scratched and their finger nails torn, but to all this
they paid no attention. Their sole thought was to get out of the
cave that looked as if it might become their tomb.

At last the opening was large enough to admit of the passage of
Whopper's body and he passed to the outside. Then he dug from that
end, and presently Shep came forth, followed by Giant and lastly
by Snap.

"Thank heaven we are out of that!" murmured the doctor's son, and
his chums echoed his sentiment. Never had the outer world appeared
so glorious to them. At that instant they were all ready to vow
they would never enter a cave again.

It was still raining, and the day was fast drawing to a close. The
lightning and thunder had passed away to the westward, but they knew
the downfall would last at least an hour or so longer.

"If we try to get down to our camp now we'll be soaked," said
Snap, as they gathered under the semi-protection of a large hemlock
tree. "The underbrush is loaded with water, and if there is anything
I hate it is to have a wet bough slash me in the face or breast."