`There's no bottom.

I'm over a big hole.' "Just then, my lad, the rein had tightened, but we held on.
"`Pull me up!' he says, and we pulled hard, and strained the reins a good deal, and at last he come up, looking hot and scared.
"`I couldn't touch bottom,' he says, `and the dog began to bark loudly.' "`I see,' says the ganger, `the dog slipped there, and can't get out.
We must have a rope; you, Ike, take the reins, and drive down to the village and get a stout cart-rope.

Bring two.' "The landlord of the inn had just come up, and he said he'd got plenty, and he'd go with me, and so he did, and in a quarter of an hour we'd been down and driven back with two good strong new ropes.
"There was no more digging going on, it was no use; but while we'd been gone they'd chopped away the furze, cutting through it with spades, so that the hole, which was a big crack, was all clear.
"`Now, then,' says Old Brownsmith's brother, `go down again, my boy.
With this stout rope round we can take care of you,' but the boy shook his head, he'd been too much scared last time.
"`Who'll go ?' says the ganger.

`A sovereign for the man who goes down and fetches them up.' "The chaps talked together, but no one moved.
"`It'll cave in,' says one of 'em.
"`You must cut a way down, Ike,' says the ganger.

`I'm too stout, or I'd go down myself.' "`Nay,' I says, `if they're down there, and you get digging, you'll bury 'em.