In any case, no matter what might come, though the roof cracked above him and the coal-ribs crushed beside him, he must warn his friend.
Turning his back to the way of hope, he tore at his utmost speed towards the room where Clem was working, taking some small comfort, as he ran, that the rumbling sounded farther and farther away.
"Clem!" he cried, panting, as he turned into the room where his friend was digging coal, "run for your life!"
By the terror in Anton's voice, the young fellow realized the peril. In his isolated room, he had not heard a sound.
Leaping to his feet and grabbing his safety-lamp from the prop, he ran after Anton, who had started back on the road leading to the shaft. Fleeter of foot than the boy, he caught up with him in a few yards.
"What is it?" he queried.
"The bank's down!"
"Where?"
"I don't know. Everywhere. The whole mine's smashing! Every one else has got out long ago!"
An ominous creaking sounded over their heads.