"Abe, go down the tunnel this direction. When you get to the end, you'll find a pick ax and pry bar. Bring them here. Go! Billy, grab the canteens and make sure they're filled. Place them near the spring. Sara, go get as many of the jars of food you can find and bring them to the spring. Be careful and don't break any."
Sara and Billy went to work while Abe ran and retrieved the tools Roy had requested. When he returned, Abe was out of breath. Roy took the pry bar and gingerly tapped at the small crack in the ceiling where the smoke disappeared. At first small rocks dropped down and then a gush of dirt and large rocks tumbled down. Roy grabbed Abe and pulled him from out of harm's way. Waiting for the dust to settle, Roy could see a small shaft of light penetrating through the settling dust. The last thing Roy needed was to start another collapse in the ceiling.
"Abe, help me move this pile out of the way."
Abe and Roy dropped to their knees and using their hands they cleared the rubble away pushing it to the sides of the tunnel. Roy continued to gently tap away around the shaft of light breaking away more soil. In a matter of minutes, the opening was just over a foot across and an intense beam of sunlight filled their space. It was brighter than their lanterns.
Roy stepped into the sunlight and looked up. The dust was swirling upward and out the hole Roy had just pried open. The dust quickly disappeared. Peering upward, Roy could faintly make out the top of the shaft. After being in the dark tunnel, the bright light hurt Roy's eyes.
"Is it one of the openings your grandfather made?"
"I don't think so Abe. It looks like nature did the job on this one."
"Can you see the top?"
"I believe I can, but it's quite a distance away."
"Could you crawl up the shaft?"
"Not me, but perhaps someone small like you."
"Roy, you're not thinking of sending Abe up there are you?"
Roy looked down to see Sara peering up the opening and standing next to him.
"You have any better ideas, Sara?"
Sara gazed at Abe, who looked more than willing for an adventure. "I suppose not. Do you think it's safe, Roy?"
It was time to plan things out. Roy grabbed a coil of rope and tied one end around Abe's ankle and thrust his grandfather's compass and knife at Abe. "Do you know how to use a compass?"
The boy shrugged.