till, toward the dead end where the old miners had ceased
working in the far back past, the lode had narrowed and run up into a
flattened crevice, up which Gwyn began to clamber.

"Follow me," he said; "I'm quite clear of the water. It's a natural
crack. There has been no picking here, and it comes up at a steep
slope."

He climbed on, the others following him; and he called to the dog again,
but there was still no reply.

"Are you clear of the water?" he cried.

"Yes, sir, four foot above it," said Hardock, who came last, "but it's
rising fast."

"I say," cried Gwyn, wildly, "is there a way out here?"

"Nay, sir, this is only a blind lead. What is it up where you are?"

"Like a flattened-out hole with the rock all covered with tiny crystals.
There must be a way up to the surface here; don't you feel how the wind
comes by us?"

"Yes; my light flickers, but it burns dull," said Joe.

"Ay, and it will come sharper yet," said Hardock; "the water's driving
it all before it. Don't you feel how hot it is?"

"Yes."

"Maybe it'll suffocate us before the water comes."

"Grip! Grip! Grip!" shouted Gwyn; and then, after waiting, he made his
companions' hearts beat by crying back to them loudly, "I don't care,
there is a way out here."

"Can't be, sir."

"But Grip has gone through."

"Nay, sir, he's wedged himself up, and he's dead, as we shall soon be."

"Oh, Joe, Joe!" roared Gwyn, passionately; "kick out behind at that
miserable, croaking old woman. There is a way out, for I can feel the
hot air rushing up by me."

"Ah!" groaned Hardock, "it's very well for you young gents up there; but
I'm at the bottom, and the water's creeping up after me. To think after
all these years o' mining I should live to be drowned in a crack like
this!"

Just then a loud rustling and scrambling noise was heard.

"What is it, Ydoll? What are you doing?"

"There's a big stone here, wedged across the slope, or I could get
higher. It's loose, and I think I can--hah!"

The lad uttered an exultant shout, for with a loud rattle the flat block
gave way, and came rattling and sliding down.

"Got it!" cried Gwyn. "I'm passing it under me. Come close, Joe, and
catch hold, as it reaches my feet."

Joe climbed a little higher, by forcing his knees against the wall of
the crack facing him, and, reaching up, he got hold of the block and
lowered it, till, fearing that if he let go, it might injure Hardock, he
bade him com