Read Online The Tunnels of Tarcoola by Jennifer Walsh - Free Book Online Page B

footstep. He didn’t have to go far to find the tunnel blocked by a big rock-fall.
    â€˜Can’t get through that way,’ he announced, coming back. ‘Not on my own. There’s about a tonne of rock.’
    â€˜Can we find some wood?’ suggested Kitty. ‘Maybe we could make a bridge?’
    â€˜There’s no wood.’ David had already made up his mind. ‘I’m going to jump across the gap.’
    â€˜No, David, don’t,’ said Martin. ‘We’ll go back and get help.’
    â€˜It makes sense,’ said David. ‘I can do it easily.’
    â€˜Let’s use the rope somehow,’ insisted Martin. ‘We can pull you across . . . ’
    â€˜If it was you, you’d jump,’ said David.
    There was a silence.
    â€˜Wouldn’t you?’
    â€˜Maybe, but . . . ’
    â€˜But Martin won the long jump at the sports carnival!’ said Kitty.
    â€˜Well, so he did.’ David didn’t quite succeed in keeping the tremor out of his voice. ‘I don’t think I went in that event. About four metres, wasn’t it, Marty?’
    â€˜Four point four eight, actually,’ said Martin reluctantly.
    â€˜Right. Well, I’ll need some light. Have you got any more candles?’
    Andrea set up all her candles along the sides of the tunnel and across the edge of the hole and lit them solemnly. Kitty retreated back along the passage a little and sat down with her head on her knees. David moved to the edge of the hole and measured the distance across with his eyes, then paced out his run-up, counting.
    â€˜You won’t be able to see the edge on your side.’ Andrea’s voice quavered.
    â€˜I can see it a bit. And I know how many steps.’ David kept his voice steady. ‘Now, get back and give me room.’
    Martin and Andrea backed along the passage to join Kitty. David turned the torch off and waited for a moment until his eyes were used to the candlelight. He could see their shadowy outlines ahead of him, his goal. Then he was running, his footsteps thundering in the confined space.
    Kitty still had her hands over her eyes when he fell forward, gasping, almost on top of them.
    â€˜Not too shabby!’ Martin was grinning from ear to ear.
    â€˜My takeoff could have been better,’ said David shakily. ‘Do you think I should have another go?’
    Kitty burst into tears. Andrea put an arm around her. The two boys blew out the candles and collected them all, then, with David’s torch leading the way again, they made their way back to the vast cave.
    â€˜Now all we have to do is find the right entrance,’ said David.
    â€˜Let’s get into line, the way we were when we came in,’ suggested Kitty.
    â€˜What good will that do?’ scoffed Martin.
    â€˜You’ll see.’ They lined up, David first, followed by Kitty, Andrea and Martin.
    â€˜Now, we’ll walk around the wall until we find a passage that looks right,’ said Kitty.
    â€˜I think it’s that one over there,’ Andrea pointed.
    They shuffled over to the opening.
    â€˜Let’s pretend we’re just coming out of this passage,’ said Kitty. ‘Turn around, David.’
    They got into position. David swept the torch beam around.
    â€˜Oh, I see,’ said Andrea. ‘Those pillar things are too far to the left. They were more in front of us, weren’t they? This is a good idea, Kitty.’
    They worked their way around the wall until they found an entrance which seemed to be the right one.
    â€˜This is it!’ said Martin. ‘You’re a genius, Kit!’
    â€˜I know,’ said Kitty modestly, following David into the tunnel. He stopped after a few steps, and she bumped into his back. ‘Ouch!’
    â€˜Sorry, genius,’ said David. ‘No go.’ He shone his torch onto a solid stone wall in front of him.
    â€˜Never mind,’ said Andrea. ‘We’re getting