The prop quivered, groaned as it felt the pressure from above, moved an inch or two, and stood upright.

Then Thirlwell dropped his ax and staggered back.

He felt limp and exhausted, and wanted to get away.

The beam would hold the roof for some minutes and might do so for a time.
"You can let up now, Driscoll," Scott called out when they stopped a few yards off.

"We'll see if the prop will stand before we do anything else." "Guess I'll fix the other," Driscoll replied.
"Come out," Scott insisted.