"We've got to cut our way out—that's all."
Ruth and Alice looked at each other. They began to understand what it meant.
"Someone from Elk Lodge may come for us—if we don't get back," murmured the younger girl, in what was almost a whisper.
"Yes, they may, but it's dangerous to wait," said Paul. "It is cold in here, and it isn't getting any warmer. It's like being locked in a refrigerator. We've got to keep in motion or we'll freeze."
"Then let's tackle that block of ice at the entrance," suggested Russ. "Get out your knife and we'll see if we can't cut a hole large enough to crawl through."
If you have tried to cut with a pocket knife even the small piece of ice which you get in your refrigerator, you can appreciate the task that confronted the two young men. A solid block of ice had slid down from some higher point, and had blocked the opening to the odd cavern. But the two were not daunted. They realized the necessity of getting out, and that within a short time. Though they were all warmly dressed, the air of the cavern was chilly, to say the least.
"Keep moving, girls!" called Russ to Ruth and Alice, as he and Paul chipped away at the ice. "This exercise will keep us warm; but you need to do something to keep your blood in circulation. Here, take my coat!" he called, as he arose from his knees, and tossed the garment to Ruth.
"I shall do nothing of the sort!" she answered, promptly. "You need it yourself."
"No, I don't," he replied, earnestly. "It only bothers me when I try to cut the ice. Please take it."
"But I can't get it on over my cloak."