'Yes. Oh, thank God you're all right.'
I found her hand and we got to our feet. The noise of the water was terrific. 'Quick,' I cried. 'That main shaft. Have you got a match?'
'I've got a torch,' she shouted back. The beam leapt out in the darkness, showing a solid fall of water pouring down the shaft. There was no sign of Captain Manack's body. He must have been swept away in the brown flood that poured down the adit. 'Run,' I shouted, and we started off up that adit to the main shaft.
As we ran the sound of the water pouring down the shaft lessened. Instead, the muffled roar of the Come Lucky flood ripping into Wheal Garth became louder. As we came to the main shaft a soft glow showed in the darkness ahead. I heard the rattle of the gig's wheels. The glow brightened. 'The gig's coming,' Kitty shouted. I flung myself at the lever which would stop it at our level. I threw all my weight on it, but it wouldn't budge.
The gig reached our level. I had a glimpse of Friar, Slim and Dave huddled together in the light of their miners' lamps. Slim had hold of the lever which kept the gig moving. That was why I hadn't been able to shift the lever at our own level. 'Stop,' I shouted. 'Friar! For God's sake stop.'
They saw us. I could see their eyes bright with fear. They saw us, but they didn't stop. Slim kept hold of the operating lever. Friar made a move towards the lever. Then he stopped, staring out at us with his mouth open and his eyes staring with horror. Dave stood there, biting his nails and making no move. The gig rattled past. The glow faded.
Rage dominated all other emotions. It swelled up inside me so that I felt I could tear down the timbers that formed the runway for the gig up the shaft. I stumbled to the framework and tore at the wood with my bare hands.
Then as the light of their lamps slowly dwindled up the shaft my rage subsided and cold fear took its place. I turned to Kitty. She was standing quite still as though stunned by what had happened. 'They've left us to die,' she said.
'Isn't there some other way up?' I cried. There must be some other way.'
She shook her head. There must be, but I don't know of any. There are plenty of shafts but none that we could climb without — " She suddenly broke off, listening.