UNDER THE EARTH. 183 
He snatches the little lantern up from the mound of loose 
earth on which he has placed it, tears it open, and 
dashes out the feeble remnant of flame, leaving the place 
in total darkness. 
Then he staggers over to the entrance of the passage- 
way, where he last saw Florence, gasping : — 
" Flossie ! Flossie ! Hurry ! We are lost if we wait ! 
The fire-damp is on us I " 
