But as they got closer to the main-shaft the confusion and uproar grew wilder, and with a sickening feeling he became aware that those whose help he had hoped for were quite as powerless as he. Ear-splitting shrieks of horror made a very pandemonium of awful sound, and over all was heard the despairing cry of Grouthead: “The mine is flooded, and the force-pumps can’t save us. We shall all be drowned!”
CHAPTER XX
DISASTER TO
DRAGONFEL
Dragonfel’s mine was flooded, and as the water kept pouring in from all sides, there was no escape for the unfortunates who were in its chambers.
The passage which was mainly used in a descent to the mine had become a raging river impossible to withstand so deep was it and with a current so strong.
The way by which the Brownies had entered the mine was blocked by the giant boulder which could only be removed by the pressure of a secret spring from the outside. The boulder had brought captivity to the band, and now it threatened even direr results, for those several tons of stone stubbornly barred the way to safety.
It was evident that the violent disturbances deep down in the earth which had caused the earthquake and volcano were likewise responsible for the flood.