We have made the floor as smooth as we can, but I am afraid that there are a good many projecting corners, that will try you a good deal." "It cannot be helped, Stanley.

Fire away, as soon as you like." The rest of the party were now all gathered, on the steps below; and Meinik and Stanley, getting up first into the hole, received Harry as the others lifted him and, with the aid of two of the Burmans, laid him on his blanket in the passage.
"Now," Stanley said, to the two men who took the other end of the blanket, "keep it as tight as you can and, when I say 'lift,' we will all lift together, and move him forward a few inches.

Do not hurry over it--we have plenty of time before us." They were packed so closely that they had each but one arm available.

Little by little they moved him along, gaining some six inches, each time; then all had to move, so as to place themselves for the next effort.

However, in five or six minutes they had him through, and carried him up into the open air.