But he felt with his hands.

It was rock that blocked his way.

Cleggett understood that this barrier was the result of the explosion.

Groping and exploring with his hands, he found that the passage turned sharply to the left.

It was more narrow and curving, for the distance of a few yards, and the earth beneath was fresher.
When the tunnel had been blocked by the explosion, Loge and his men had burrowed around the obstruction.
Cleggett judged that he must be at about the middle of the tunnel.