“Don’t seem to be accomplishing much,” he said.
“I should say not,” said Chester as he sat down beside his chum.
“I’ll tell you,” said Hal after a pause, “I don’t think we’ll ever dig our way out with these tools,” and he tapped his knife.
“Well, what then?” asked Chester. “We can’t stay here forever. We’ll suffocate. In fact, the air is already getting bad.”
“I noticed that,” Hal declared, “which is the reason that I say we can’t get out by digging. We might eventually dig our way out, if given time; but the poisonous air will overcome us long before then.”
“We’ve got to do something, Hal,” said Chester. “We can’t perish here like rats in a trap without making an effort to save ourselves.”
“Right. Then I’ve a suggestion to offer.”
“Let’s have it.”
“It’s dangerous,” said Hal quietly, “and may mean only a quicker death.”
“Anything is better than this inaction,” Chester declared.