“No,� I answered, slowly rising to my knee and stretching my members to see if I had control of them, which fortunately I soon discovered I had, “I was stunned by falling rock, but otherwise I believe I am not much hurt. How is it with you?�
“I am well and unharmed.�
“Now God be praised,� I exclaimed fervently.
“For Christ’s sake, water!� interposed a trembling, hoarse, anguished voice.
“Who speaks?� I asked.
“I, Pimball, I’m pinned to the ground, my back is broke, I’m dyin’.�
“There should be a lantern here,� I said. “I placed it—let me think, where did I place it?�
“It was just to the left of the opening,� answered my little mistress.
I was turned around and giddy, but I managed to fix the direction of the entrance by Pimball’s groans and by good fortune presently found the lantern. It would burn but a few hours, but we never needed a light as we did then, I decided. My flint and steel I carried ever in my pocket and to kindle a flickering flame was but the work of a moment. If I had not possessed it, I would have given years of my life for even that feeble light which threw a faint illumination about the place.
There, opposite me where I had stationed her, by God’s providence protected by a niche in the cave from the rain of rocks which had beaten me down, stood my mistress, safe and unharmed. I stepped toward her and with a low cry of thankfulness she fell into my arms. I soothed her for a moment and then turned to the other occupant of the chamber. The entrance was completely blocked up, the wall had settled down. Pimball’s legs were broken and his back as well. It was impossible to release him, what lay upon him weighed tons and tons.