"Here," sounded the faint answer that seemed to come from several different directions at the same time.
"Did you hear that?" demanded Bob excitedly. "Where did the sound come from?"
"It sounded to me as though he might be over to the left. Have courage, Steve; we will have you out in a few minutes. I have sent for help. Can you keep up?"
Their ears failed to catch any answer.
"I'm coming, Steve," roared Jarvis. "Keep shouting if you can, so I'll know where you are."
"Stay where you are, Jarvis!" commanded Mr. Penton sternly.
"Do you think I'm going to stay here and let him drown?" demanded the lad. There was a splash as Bob Jarvis left the plank and began ploughing through the water at racing speed.
"He'll be drowned; they both will be drowned!" exclaimed the superintendent. "Such pluck, such pluck! Hurry up, men; hurry!" he shouted as he caught the sound of voices off in the darkness of the sub-level.
Half a dozen men, headed by the mine captain, came running toward him.
"Look out! Look out for the hole in the floor. Have you ropes?"