"Let's try it a little higher up, Tom," suggested Roger. "Maybe this stuff isn't as deep as we think."
Tom nodded and stepped up, feeling around the top of the opening. He began clawing at the sand overhead. The sand still came pouring through the opening.
"See anything?" asked Astro.
"I—don't—know—" spluttered Tom as the sand slid down burying him to his waist.
"Better back up, Tom," warned Roger. "Might be a cave-in and you'll get buried."
"Wait a minute!" shouted Tom. "I think I see something!"
"A light?" asked Astro eagerly.
"Careful, Tom," warned Roger again.
Tom clawed at the top of the pile, ignoring the sand that was heaped around him.
"I've got it," shouted Tom, struggling back into the power deck just in time to avoid being buried under a sudden avalanche. "There's another hatch up there, just behind the ladder that leads into the passenger lounge. That's the side facing the storm! And as soon as we dig a little, the sand falls from that pile. But the opposite side, leading to the jet-boat deck, is free and clear!"