They moved around, examining one spot and then another. At two points they saw openings between the rocks but they were mere narrow slits and not one of the lads could get through them.
"I guess we'll have to go below," said Shep, at last. "I hate to do it, too, for it will be no easy matter to climb out of that hole where we took the tumble."
"It's the only thing to do," answered Giant. "Come on," he added. "Staying here is making me nervous. If another tree should come down we might be buried alive."
They went back, and climbed down to the cave below. They had now but one torch and this was almost burnt out. As quickly as they could, they hurried to where they thought the hole was located. Only a mass of rocks and dirt met their view.
"What does this mean?" cried Whopper.
"We have made a wrong turn—-this is not the spot," said Giant.
"It looks like the spot to me," added the doctor's son, doubtfully.
"It is the spot," said Snap, and his voice betrayed his great anxiety.
"Yes, but where is the opening?" questioned the others in concert.
"It is gone."