s," came in the husky, grating tones; "better and better now I am
still."

"Then there is hope. We are on the track; others will come after a
time, and we may be dug out."

"Hah! I dare not think it. I say."

"Yes?"

"Do you think those wretches have been caught by the fall as well?"

"If they were near they must have been."

"Yes, and we heard them."

"No, no," sighed the other; "those were patches of snow falling that we
heard."

There was silence then, save that twice over a soft whisper was heard,
and then a low, deep sigh.

"I say."

"Yes?"

"I feel sure that air must come to us. I can breathe quite easily
still."

"Yes."

"Then we must try and bear it for a time. I'm going to believe that we
may be dug out. Shall we try to sleep, and forget our horrible
position?"

"Impossible, my lad. For me, that is. You try."

"No; you are right. I couldn't sleep. But, yes, I can breathe better
still. There must be air coming in from up above. Well, why don't you
speak? Say something, man."

"I cannot talk."

"You must--you shall, so as to keep from thinking of our being--oh,
help! help! help!"

"Man, man! don't cry out in that horrible way;" and one shook the other
fiercely, till he sobbed out, "Yes; go on. I am a coward; but the
thought came upon me, and seemed to crush me."

"What thought? That we must die?"

"No, no," groaned the other in his husky voice; "that we are buried
alive."

Once more there was silence, during which the elder and firmer grasped
the hand of his brother in adversity. "Yes, yes," he whispered, "it is
horrible to think of; but for our manhood's sake keep up, lad. We are
not children, to be frightened of being in the dark."

"No; you are right."

"Here, help me sweep away the snow from under us. No, no. Here is the
waterproof sheet. We can drag it out--yes, I can feel the sledges.
Let's drag out those blankets."

"No, no, don't stir; you may bring down the snow roof upon our heads. I
mean, yes. I'll try and help you."

They worked busily for a few minutes, and then knelt together upon what
felt like a soft couch.

"There's food, and the snow for water; it would be long before we should
starve. Why are you so silent now? Come, we must rest, and then try to
cut our way out when the daylight comes."

"The daylight!" said the other, with a mocking laugh.

"Yes; we may see a dim dawn to show us which way to tunnel."

"Ah, of course!"

"Coul