Tommy hastened to Ned’s side and together they flung their united weight against the oak planks. It was useless. The door was securely fastened on the other side. They were trapped in the mine.
CHAPTER XXII
A DARING ATTEMPT
Grouped together upon the narrow steps of the mine, the five boys stared stupidly at the heavy, nail-studded barrier which stood between them and freedom.
“This is some of Slugger Slade’s work!” growled Ned Blake. “What a fool I was to have trusted him!”
“Shucks! We can break down this door!” cried Charlie Rogers. “Wait a minute till I get that winch-handle!” and running down the stairs, he quickly returned with the heavy iron crank.
Taking the implement and setting himself for a full swing, Ned attacked the door with a rain of blows which sent echoes reverberating down the tunnel like the roll of thunder. The solid oak resisted stubbornly, and as Ned redoubled his efforts, the iron handle snapped short in his hand.
“Here’s a sweet mess!” grunted Tommy Beals disgustedly.
“Let’s find something for a battering ram,” suggested Dick, starting down the stairs.
Diligent search through all parts of the mine failed to discover anything that could be used to force the door, and after a time the boys gave it up.
“What’s Slugger’s idea in locking us down here anyhow?” demanded Rogers, as he sat on the dump-car glaring helplessly at the closed door above him.