He had not been down two hours when one of the miners cried, "Hold hard, they are working up to us," and work was instantly suspended for a moment.

Then sure enough the sounds of pickaxes working below were just audible.
There was a roar of exultation from the rescuing party, and a man was sent up with his feet in a bucket, and clinging to a rope, to spread the joyful tidings; but the work was not intermitted for more than a moment, and in a few hours it became necessary to send the cage down and suspend the work to avoid another accident.

The thin remaining crust gave way, the way was clear, lamps were sent down, and the saving party were soon in the mine, with a sight before them never to be forgotten.
The few men who stood erect with picks in their hands were men of rare endurance; and even they began to fall, exhausted with fatigue and hunger.

Five times their number lay dotted about the mine, prostrated by privation, and some others, alas! were dead.

None of the poor fellows were in a condition to give a rational answer, though Walter implored them to say where Hope was and his daughter.