I had lagged behind.
He quickened the pace to a half-run; we were climbing; panting.

The amber light grew stronger; the rift above us wider.

The tunnel curved; on the left a narrow cleft appeared.

The green dwarf leaped toward it, thrust us within, pushed us ahead of him up a steep rocky fissure--well-nigh, indeed, a chimney.

Up and up this we scrambled until my lungs were bursting and I thought I could climb no more.