The boys realized that there was nothing to be gained by shouting for help. Even if their cries were heard, which would be unlikely with that solid mass of rock before them, it would only bring the auto thieves upon them.
"We'll have to work fast," said Frank. "There isn't any too much air in this place now, and if we don't get that rock cleared out of the way we'll be smothered."
"Do you mean to say we'll have to move all that rock aside?"
"What else is there to do?"
"It might take hours."
"That's better than dying in here," returned Frank philosophically. "You hold the light and I'll get busy."
He flung off his coat and attacked the formidable barrier.
Starting at the top, he moved rock after rock aside, placing them on the floor of the tunnel. The work was slow, and he seemed to make little progress. For, as the rocks were taken away, they showed only more rocks behind. It was evident that the cave-in had been of considerable extent.
Joe became impatient.
"I feel useless," he said. "You hold the light for a while and let me work."