"Where's the opening we came in at?" he shouted.
They all looked in the direction where they expected it to be but not even the faintest glimmer of daylight shone in to tell of an opening.
"Do you suppose we've worked away here so long that it has got to be dark without our knowing it?" asked Apple.
"No. 'Tisn't more'n an hour since Matt and I invited ourselves in," objected Chick-chick. "Wasn't much past four then."
"It's the rising water," said Matt. "I was so busy and it came up so gradually I didn't notice it. The creek must be rising from the heavy rain."
"Another thing is we've thrown so much rock and rubbish down there that we've probably choked up that outlet below. There's no sign of it now," observed Glen.
"Say, fellers, I'm gettin' homesick," said Chick-chick. "Let's get out o' here."
"All right for me, Chick-chick," said Apple. "I'm not much of a swimmer in the dark. You lead the way."
"Not for Chick-chick. I'm no water-witch nor a pathfinder, I ain't. 'Twouldn't do for humble bug-hunter to take such honor. Let Matt and Brick draw straws for it."
"I'm willing to try it," Glen volunteered.