We waited till the men had gone forward, and then I spoke to Dumlow.
“Are you sure you can’t get any farther?” I whispered.
“Yes, sartain, sir.”
“Then make another trial and get back at once.”
“Can’t, sir.”
“Nonsense,” I cried, speaking sharply to inspirit him; “if the hole was big enough for you to go in, it’s big enough for you to come out.”
“No it arn’t, cause it’s like a rat-trap, and the corners and things keeps you from getting back, sir.”
The perspiration began to stand out on my forehead, and a strange feeling of horror came over me as I thought of the man’s position, and of what might happen if he could not get back; while just as thoughts of suffocation ensuing came rushing through my mind, the object of my thoughts suddenly said in a low husky voice—
“Bob, lad?”
“Hullo, mate!”