UNEXPECTED VISITORS

Came a low, rumbling sound from overhead and a shower of dirt poured down on Hal as he crouched in his corner.  Chester still swung to and fro from above.  The lad felt something give, and believing that the mass above was about to fall, he dropped quickly alongside Hal and buried his face in his arms.

But nothing happened.

Directly Chester rose to his feet.

“I thought it was coming,” he said to Hal.  “Guess I didn’t hang on long enough.  I’ll have another try.  Lend me your shoulders again.”

Hal also stood up and took his position.  Chester clambered up and again explored the covering with his fingers.  At the first touch there was another shower of earth.

“Won’t take a whole lot to move it, I guess,” he said.

“Hurry, then,” enjoined Hal.  “The air is stifling down here.”

Chester himself felt that he was suffocating and realized the need for haste.

“All right,” he said.  “Here’s hoping we’re not crushed to death.  Down when I give the word.”

Again his fingers found a hold and he braced himself for the shock.

“Down!” he cried suddenly.

Hal dropped.

A second time came the dull rumbling from above as Chester swayed to and fro in his precarious position.  Then the lad felt the covering give.  One instant longer he hung on, for he felt that he would have no strength for a third attempt should this fail.

And then, with a roar, the mass of debris above came tumbling down.

Chester swung himself close to the side of the pit even as he felt the covering give and came down a short distance from Hal.  He covered his head as well as he could and waited for he knew not what.

It was not long coming.

Something struck the lad a sharp blow upon the shoulder, numbing it.  Behind him the lad heard rocks and other debris crashing to the bottom.  Holding his breath, he waited for the blow he felt sure must come from above and unconsciously his right hand stretched out toward where he knew Hal to be.

But nothing struck him.  After five seconds of the terrible roaring, there was silence.  Chester looked up.  There was light above.  Chester uttered a short prayer of thankfulness and rose to his feet.

“All right, Hal,” he said, still looking above, while he rubbed his injured shoulder.

There was no reply.

Chester looked quickly about him.  There was no sign of Hal.

“Great Scott!  What can have happened to him?” he asked himself anxiously.

Quickly he fell to hands and knees and explored the bottom of the pit.  There, where he knew Hal should be, he felt a mound of earth.

“Great Scott!  He’s buried!” cried Chester.

Frantically he set to work with his bare hands to uncover Hal.

In a few moments his efforts were rewarded.  He exposed Hal’s arm.  From the position the arm was in Chester was able to locate his chum’s head.  This he uncovered quickly, for he feared that his friend might suffocate.  Then he bent over Hal and listened.