It took them a considerable while to wake the others. Fortunately they were all still alive, though Orlando gave them a few anxious moments, and heads still ached. However, they were uplifted and heartened by the small flow of fresh air and the shaft of daylight that penetrated their tomb. Finally Orlando sat up, nursing his head.

“Ooh! I’ve got a headache big enough for ten badgers. I never knew fresh air could taste so good, though. It’s like drinking from a cold mountain stream in midsummer.”

“Steady on, old chap. Don’t start talkin’ about cold drinks, it’s more than a body can stand, doncha know. Why, I remember the best drink I ever ha—MMMMFFF!”

Jess had stifled Basil’s reminiscences with her thick furred tail. She held up a paw for silence. “Ssshhh, listen!”

In the sudden stillness they could faintly hear noises from outside.

Cheek danced up and down. “There’s some creatures out there, I’m sure of it!”

They listened intently. Sure enough, faint sounds filtered in with the air and light through the hole.

Jabez Stump voiced his feelings: “Could be friends, or mayhap they could be enemies.”

Orlando stood in the shaft of light. “Who cares, as long as we get out of here. Friend or foe, we can sort out later.”

Matthias picked up his sword decisively. “Orlando is right, we must get out of here. Now, we must take a chance. It’s a double risk because we may destroy our air supply. Are you with me?”

There was an immediate call of agreement.

Taking Orlando’s axe, Matthias tied his swordbelt to the end of the handle, then he gave it to Basil. “Here, you’ve got the longest limbs, old fellow. Push that through the hole and waggle it about to attract attention.”

Taking the battleaxe, Basil shinnied up the rubble and pushed the improvised pennant into the hole. Darkness fell as the light was blocked out. Cheek whimpered a bit then fell silent. All that could be heard was Basil grunting with exertion as he strove to gain attention, waving the handle to and fro by means of twisting the twin axeheads round and round.

“Anything happening yet, Basil?” Jess Squirrel called out hopefully.

“Can’t tell yet, Jess. . . . Wait, I think someone has hold of the other end. Yes! They’re pushing the axe back. Oof! Steady on. Think I’d better pull the handle back in so we can parley through the jolly old hole with thingummybobbins, whoever they are.”

Matthias scrambled up beside Basil. Luckily the hole was still open, even slightly wider when the axe handle was withdrawn.

Matthias put his mouth close to the hole and shouted, “Hello out there. We’re trapped. Can you help us out?”

They waited.