“It was a close call,” replied Hamp. “But how did you get here so soon.”
“Why, by your tunnel,” said Jerry. “It was open a foot beyond that stone. We dug mighty carefully the rest of the way. That’s what kept us so long.”
“And now how are we going to get you free?” added Brick.
“I’ll tell you,” replied Hamp. “In the first place, make the passage wide enough for both of you to kneel side by side.”
“It’s wide enough now,” declared Jerry. “We came through in double file.”
“Then take hold of my hands and pull.”
The boys followed instructions, and by a long, steady haul they drew Hamp from under the trunk of the tree.
“There, that will do,” he cried, as he sat up. “Thank goodness, I can kick as spry as ever. My trousers are torn, but I don’t believe I have a scratch. I wouldn’t go through this over again for a fortune.”
He briefly told the boys his thrilling story, and it made them feel rather shivery.
“We had better go back while the way is open,” said Brick. “It will be good-by if we are caught by a cave-in.”