"I have been waiting until I thought it was," answered the guide. "Of course, I have no means of knowing how much the explosion has loosened the rocks further out, near where the blast was fired."
"That's so," agreed the boys.
"We may have to face still other dangers, but I think we had better make a start. I am not sure that these rocks over our heads are any too secure, either. Have you boys any matches?"
"Yes, I have some," replied Tad.
"I'll use mine first, then. We'll need all we have before we get out into the car tunnel," said Tom. "Are you getting hungry?"
"To tell the truth, I for one haven't had time to think about my appetite," laughed Ned.
"Yes, I guess our minds have been so full of other things that our stomachs have not had a chance to make their wants known," said Tad.
"How about you, Walt?"
"What I want most of anything in the world just at this minute, is to see daylight. Isn't night outside yet, is it?"
"No, it is only just past noon," the miner informed him.