f these were fixed firmly, by
wedges, they ought to be sufficient to prevent any movement from
taking place--especially as there would be enough of them almost to
touch each other, extending from this lowest step, on which the
rocks rest, some five feet upwards--that is, to within some two
feet of the roof, which would be sufficient for us to crawl
through, and the bamboos would serve as a ladder. Then I propose
that we should work our way along the top, passing the small stones
and rubbish backwards, after filling up all the cracks and crevices
below us.

"I see, of course, that we should meet with many obstacles. Great
stones may be sticking up, perhaps jammed against the roof; these
would have to be broken off, or chipped in pieces. No doubt the
work will take time but, at any rate, there is plenty of food for
three weeks and, working by turns night and day, we ought to be
able to burrow our way out. As we get on, we may not find the
stones so tightly pressed together as they are, here. At any rate,
as we saw the light above us, only some thirty feet up, there ought
not to be above twenty feet of closely-packed stuff to get through.

"No doubt the work will be dangerous, as well as hard but, as we
know that if we do not succeed all our lives are forfeited, we can
face the danger. Everyone of us will take his share in turn; I
shall do so, myself, and shall direct the work in general. What do
you think of the plan?"

"I think that it is possible, master," Meinik said. "At any rate,
we must try it; since it is the only way that offers us any chance
of life."

The Burmese all agreed, and they at once set to work. The bamboos
were first cut into lengths; and then, by means of the axe and
wedges, were jammed so firmly, from side to side, that it would
have required great force to dislodge them. These supports were
somewhat irregularly placed, as it was necessary that they should
absolutely touch the stones. As they proceeded with the work, the
spaces behind the bamboos were filled tightly up with rubble, so as
to solidify the whole.

When the last support was in its place, Stanley said:

"Now, Meinik, do you with these three work, tonight; four others
will take your place, before dawn. Mind, at first I don't want you
to attempt to move any fixed stones; but simply to clear away all
small stones, and rubble. You can stow a good deal behind the two
upper bamboos. The rest you must put on the stairs. I will see,
ton