The tribune was prompt.
"Within there!" he shouted through the trap.
"Here!" said the mother, rising.
Directly she heard another sound in another place, as of blows on the wall--blows quick, ringing, and delivered with iron tools.
She did not speak, nor did Tirzah, but they listened, well knowing the meaning of it all--that a way to liberty was being made for them.

So men a long time buried in deep mines hear the coming of rescuers, heralded by thrust of bar and beat of pick, and answer gratefully with heart-throbs, their eyes fixed upon the spot whence the sounds proceed; and they cannot look away, lest the work should cease, and they be returned to despair.
The arms outside were strong, the hands skillful, the will good.
Each instant the blows sounded more plainly; now and then a piece fell with a crash; and liberty came nearer and nearer.

Presently the workmen could be heard speaking.

Then--O happiness!--through a crevice flashed a red ray of torches.

Into the darkness it cut incisive as diamond brilliance, beautiful as if from a spear of the morning.
"It is he, mother, it is he! He has found us at last!" cried Tirzah, with the quickened fancy of youth.
But the mother answered meekly, "God is good!" A block fell inside, and another--then a great mass, and the door was open.