It was the fright of the lad which was their undoing. He made one false turn and then another, and finally came to a halt before a solid wall of stone and coal.
“This can’t be the way out,” came from Frank.
“Then let us go back, and be quick about it. The torch is almost out!”
They turned back, and presently came to where there were four tunnels, or cuts, each leading in a different direction.
The boy looked from one to another in bewilderment.
“I—I don’t know. Oh, Mr. Hardy, I guess we are lost!” he wailed.
“Lost!” echoed Frank, and his heart sank within him. He knew that many a person had lost his life by being lost in a mine.
The torch was now reaching its end and in a moment more it flickered up for the last time and went out. Again they were in total darkness, and now Frank felt himself clutched tightly by his younger companion.
“I won’t leave you, Darry. But can’t you think which is the right way out?”
“I think this way straight in front of us, but I am not sure.”
“Have you any paper at all in your pocket?”
“Yes, the paper they gave me in Sunday-school to-day.”
The boy did so, and again our hero made tapers and then lit one. He looked around on all sides and espied three pieces of wood.
“I’ll split these up with my pocketknife,” he said. “They will then last longer.”
He was as good as his word, and soon had one of the tiny torches ablaze. Then they continued along one of the tunnels until they came to another cross opening.
“I—I don’t think this is the way,” faltered Darry, looking around blankly. “I don’t believe I was ever here before.”
“We are going upward,” answered Frank. “It seems to me that ought to be a good sign. Sooner or later we are bound to come out on top of the ground.”
“That’s true,” answered the smaller boy, and his face took on a more hopeful look.
Once more they moved forward, until a small wall six feet high barred their progress.
“See, here is an upper shaft,” said Frank. “And I think I can feel fresh air.”
“To be sure we can.” Frank placed his torch in a safe place. “Let me boost you up first, and then you can help me up.”
This was done, and they found a large chamber spread before them. From a great distance, down another tunnel, they saw a faint streak of light.