"We may as well look the matter straight in the face. It's possible they can strike us without much trouble, but that ain't likely."
During half an hour the boys remained silent and motionless, as if each was trying to reconcile himself to the terrible doom which threatened, and then Fred said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
"It must be near supper time. Suppose we have one square meal?"
"Because a man knows he's slowly drowning there's no reason why he should try to keep his head under water more than is necessary," Sam replied, sternly.
"What do you mean?"
"We are not suffering with hunger now, but soon will be, so it's wise to wait till grub is absolutely needed to keep us alive."
"Then let's do something; this sitting still thinking of what is to come seems worse than the reality can ever be."
"Very well, we've got a shovel; we'll decide in which direction it's best to dig, an' begin operations."
"There surely is a chance of striking another drift."
"Yes, there's a chance," Sam replied, as if the conversation wearied him. "Each one shall say which course he thinks most likely to bring us out."