"The main shaft?"
"Yes."
"I heard the crash. I shouted to you but I didn't hear any answer. Are you hurt?"
"No. I'm all right. I jumped back just in time."
"Where are you now? Can't you reach me?"
"The tunnel caved in, too. I'm trying to dig my way through to you."
There was a moment of silence. Clearly, the news came as a surprise to Frank.
"That's bad," he said, at last. "Do you think you can get through?"
"I think so. I have the crowbar with me." Joe attacked another rock on the heap, edging the end of the crowbar into a crevice.
"How bad is the cave-in?"