"I think I can crawl in there now, if you will let me. I want to get that Hurry-up kid out," added Bob.
"Go in, if you think you can get through," nodded the superintendent. "Better tie a rope to one foot before you start, so we can pull you out if you get wedged in."
While Bob was making ready, the official got down on his hands and knees and examined the opening in the attempt to satisfy himself that it would be safe for a man to go through.
A moment more and Bob Jarvis was wriggling through the little tunnel on his stomach. There was still so much smoke in the drift that he nearly choked as he pulled himself up and began groping about in the darkness. Now that he was in he lighted his candle, and there before him lay the man and the boy.
Bob gave Rush a violent shake. Steve opened his eyes.
"So you're all right, eh?"
"Ye—yes. Have—have you come to li—lick me?" mumbled Steve closing his eyes.
"No; I've come to get you out of this hole. We'll talk about the licking later on. Is the other fellow dead?"
Rush pulled himself to a sitting posture at this.