ntial supply."

Never pausing to answer, I crept between the spreading wooden limbs,
and, with the expenditure of no small effort, succeeded in wriggling
into the narrow hole beyond. It was a cramped passage for a man of my
girth, yet, by digging in firmly with both hands and feet, I managed to
advance, until I finally emerged, within space of perhaps a yard, into
a much larger excavation, resembling the tunnel we had previously
traversed.

"Now, Master Cairnes," I spoke back encouragingly, "it is only a short
distance to good footing; so take fresh breath and come on."

His massive head completely shut out the faint light of the narrow
opening, and I heard heavy breathing as the fellow squeezed his broad
shoulders through the hole. There followed sounds of violent struggle
during his slow and painful advance.

"By all the prophets and the patriarchs," he groaned wearily, "'tis not
in me to make it! Had I endeavored this before eating I could have
slipped through, scarcely touching either side. But now I am scraped
like a pig for the feast. Baste me, friend Benteen, but I can move
neither forward nor back in this accursed place; I am full aground in
the centre, and can never hope to progress without aid."

I reached down until I laid firm hold upon his groping fingers.

"Find some projection to push against with your feet," I advised
disgustedly.

"Fervently will I endeavor to dig in, and thus render all assistance in
my power, yet I feel little to encourage me here in good works. Would
it not be wise to test the potency of prayer? Verily the prayer of the
righteous availeth much."

"I try earthly power first," I returned testily. "So lay to it, and we
will have you out."

I braced my knees against the firm wall, exerting all the strength I
possessed. There followed a series of moans and heated expostulations,
then the sound of rending cloth, and the disgruntled Puritan came forth
with a suddenness of exit which landed us both in a heap on the floor.

"May all the spawn of hell be your playmates," he roared in mad anger.
"By the bones of Moses! you have scraped every bit of skin off me, and
half my coat is ripped loose and left behind. Thou art an ungodly,
blaspheming--"

He gasped wildly for breath as I throttled him, but the grip of my
hands stilled his speech.

"It was only that you gorged like a bear preparing for Winter, or you
would have passed through even as I did," I muttered, heedless