"My God!" he gasped "I'm lost!"
His strength almost forsook him as he
thought of the possibility that he
might never reach the open, but his
desperation spurred %im on. He went
back over what he thought was the
way he had come—-walking, crawling,
climbing for what he thought must be
hundreds of yards. Finally he found
himself in the almost stifling vapor of
a hot spring. When he reached anoth
er avenue he sank to the ground in
collapse. His strength had deserted
him, and if his very life had depended
on his moving ten yards at the mo
ment it is probable that it would have
been forfeited. After an hour, how
ever, he was sufficiently restrength
ened to continue, and he also discov
ered that he was intensely hungry.
He pulled out his watch for the first
time and almost fainted when he saw
that tt was a few minutes after three
o'clock.
On and on he plunged and stumbled
until he reached another avenue, at
the end of which was a tiny speck of
light.
"I'in saved! I'm saved!" he cried in
ah ecstasy of joy, aad he ran towards
the light. He had not covered many
feet when he tripped over a plank
and went sprawling to the damp
ground. He stopped and turned his
light to the left. He saw the end of
an artificially made lead, and his ex
citement rose so high that he scarcely
could control himself. He stuck his
head into the opening and held up the
lantern.
