Besides, to wait longer was not possible.

Asphyxia was threatening in this narrow space, reduced every moment, in a medium already saturated with carbonic acid.
The best tool Dick Sand could employ to pierce a hole through the wall was a ramrod furnished with a screw, intended to draw the wadding from a gun.

By making it turn rapidly, this screw scooped out the clay like an auger, and the hole was made little by little.

Then it would not have a larger diameter than that of the ramrod, but that would be sufficient.

The air could come through very well.
Hercules holding up the lantern lighted Dick Sand.