“Yeah,” Mike agreed. “But I wonder if he knows where we are?”
“I don’t see how he can,” Sandy replied. “Do you feel good enough to crawl up to the entrance?”
“Oh, sure,” Mike said. “I’m fine.”
Together they scrambled over the loose rubble that had collected at the mouth of the cave. “Let’s take it easy,” Sandy said, picking his way with care. “We don’t want to start another one.”
Mike flashed Sandy a grin over his shoulder. “Why not?” he demanded. “Now that we’ve done it once, the next time should be easier.”
“Do me a favor and practice it when I’m not around,” Sandy said with a chuckle. He pulled himself up to the lip of the cave and leaned over. “Nobody in sight,” he announced.
“Do you think it’s safe to go down?”
“I don’t know,” Sandy said. “I wish we could see Hank.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Mike declared. “We’ve got our rifles. Why don’t we fire off a couple of shots?”
“Hey, that’s using your head!” Sandy commented. “Can you reach mine and unstrap it?” Both boys still carried their rifles, having secured them firmly to their packs before starting out. Sandy could feel Mike working the slings of his rifle loose. “Got it?” he asked.