“But it’s looser now. Let’s have one more try.”
“Very well.—Got hold?—Now then, both together.”
They gave a sudden jerk, and fell backward with the once square tin case upon them, lying still and horrified, for there was a dull creaking and crushing noise as if the snow was being pressed down to fill up the vacancy they had made, and then crick, crack, sharply; there was the sound of breaking, as portions of the sledge gave way from the weight above.
Abel caught his cousin’s hand to squeeze it hard, fully expecting that their last moments had come; but after a minute’s agony the sounds ceased, and the prisoners breathed more freely.
“It’s all right, Bel,” said Dallas; “but it did sound rather creepy.”
“Hah!” ejaculated Abel. “I thought—”
“Yes, so did I, old fellow; but it’s a mistake to think at a time like this. We only frighten ourselves. Now then, let’s see what we’ve got.”
“See?” said Abel bitterly.
“Yes, with the tips of our fingers. It’s all right, I tell you; rats and mice and rabbits don’t make a fuss about being in burrows.”
“They’re used to it, Dal; we’re not.”