The official placed his nose to the hole thus made, and shook his head.
"You haven't reached it. Try a hole above the shoring. We must get air in there."
Again the powerful drill began its work. Gathered in a closely massed group were the other miners waiting, silent, anxious, the flames of candles on their caps flickering and swaying from side to side in the faint draft that swirled through the long, dark cavern. Attention was divided between the working drill and the calm-faced, strong, resourceful man who was directing the operations. He was master and the men knew it.
"All right." announced the drill-man again.
The superintendent nodded. The drill was withdrawn. Following it came a little puff of white, nauseating smoke.
"We've hit it," announced the executive calmly. "Now, bore another hole on the same line but about six feet to the left, so we shall get a draft through the enclosed drift."
This was promptly done.
The superintendent, as soon as the noise of the drill had ceased, placed his lips close to the hole thus made.
"Hello, in there! Is anyone alive in there?"