He and Scott had stayed too long, and could not have fixed their prop before the beam gave way had not the other come to help.

For that matter, they were not out of danger yet.

Unless they could wedge the timber in the next few moments, the roof would come down.

There was not room to swing the ax properly, his body was cramped from bending, and he could not lift his head.

Stooping in the low tunnel, he nerved himself for a tense effort and struck several furious blows.