NOBODY'S BOY (Sans Famille) - Hector Malot

[Chap XXII - XXIV]

CHAPTER XXII

IMPRISONED IN A MINE

A few days later, while pushing my car along the rails, I heard a

terrible roaring. The noise came from all sides. My first feeling was

one of terror and I thought only of saving myself, but I had so often

been laughed at for my fears that shame made me stay. I wondered if it

could be an explosion. Suddenly, hundreds of rats raced past me, fleeing

like a regiment of cavalry. Then I heard a strange sound against the

earth and the walls of the gallery, and the noise of running water. I

raced back to Uncle Gaspard.

"Water's coming into the mine!" I cried.

"Don't be silly."

"Oh, listen!"

There was something in my manner that forced Uncle Gaspard to stop his

work and listen. The noise was now louder and more sinister.

"Race for your life. The mine's flooded!" he shouted.

"Professor! Professor!" I screamed.

We rushed down the gallery. The old man joined us. The water was rising

rapidly.

"You go first," said the old man when we reached the ladder.

We were not in a position to show politeness. Uncle Gaspard went first,

I followed, then came the professor. Before we had reached the top of

the ladder a rush of water fell, extinguishing our lamps.

"Hold on," cried Uncle Gaspard.

We clung to the rungs. But some men who were below us were thrown off.

The fall of water had turned into a veritable avalanche.

We were on the first landing. Water was here also. We had no lights, for

our lamps had been put out.

"I'm afraid we are lost," said the professor quietly; "say your prayers,

my boy."

At this moment seven or eight miners with lamps came running in our

direction, trying to reach the ladder. The water was now rushing through

the mine in a regular torrent, dragging in its mad course pieces of

wood, whirling them round like feathers.

"We must make for an airshaft, boys," said the professor. "That is the

only place where we might find refuge. Give me a lamp."

Usually no one took any notice of the old man when he spoke, unless it

was to make fun of him, but the strongest man there had lost his nerve

and it was the voice of the old man, whom they had mocked so often, that

they were now ready to obey. A lamp was handed to him. He seized it and

dragged me along with him, taking the lead. He, more than any man, knew

every nook and corner of the mine. The water was up to my waist. The