Chapter 11 Axel Struggles Against the Odds We drink our water with great care.
We had only enough for three more days.
My uncle thought we would find an underground stream, but I had a feeling that that was impossible.
We were surrounded by hard lava rocks.
I knew water could not break through to form an underground stream.
I worried a lot.
We spent three long days walking in almost total silence.
We had very little energy to do anything more than walk.
At times it felt like the tunnel was going downhill.
I imagine that helped Uncle Edenbrock feel a bit better about his choice.
Perhaps that's what kept him on his mission.
We continued for another two days before anything changed.
We had been walking in the same direction for five days in total.
We had spent a long day walking.
I started to notice that the tunnel walls were looking very different.
They were no longer shiny and metallic.
In fact, they looked quite dark.
I put my hand against the wall and it came back black.
What's this all over my hand?
I said, look, it's all black.
I held my hand out for the others to see.
It's coal, he said.
We are in a coal mine.
A coal mine?
I held my lamp higher to look around.
The tunnel suddenly opened up to another cavern.
It was huge.
I held the lamp up to look around me.
The walls were lined with coal and layers of different rocks.
I rushed to a wall so I could examine the rocks more carefully.
I ran my hand along the wall, amazed at how smooth and perfect it felt.
I followed my uncle and Hans as they walked through the cavern.
But I wasn't really paying attention.
I was too busy looking up.
It took me a few minutes to notice that my uncle was talking.
Nothing at all, he said.
Excuse me, I replied.
Nothing.
What do you mean?
We have reached the end, he said.
There is nowhere else to go from here.
Well, this is disappointing, but...
At least I know now that this was not the correct route.
Hans laid out our meal.
We decided we would stop here for a rest before heading back the way we came.
We would need our energy.
Uncle, I said, our water is almost gone.
There are only a few drops left and we are at least five days from the start of the tunnel.
Are you saying we will have to go all that way back with no water?
We will survive on our courage, he said.
I chose not to reply.
Once again, I did not sleep well.
I worried all night long about our water supply.
There was no way we could make it back in time.
I woke up not feeling rested.
We started heading back that morning.
Later that day, we drank our last few drops.
We were now completely without water.
We struggled through the tunnel.
My throat was so dry it burned.
We were getting weaker and weaker.
By the end of the second day without water, I had to hold myself up against the wall for support.
I was having trouble lifting my feet.
By the end of the third day, we could not walk at all.
All three of us crawled along the floor of the tunnel.
We dragged our packs behind us.
Finally, I could take no I collapsed.
I lay flat against the ground, moving no more.
All voices sounded very far away.
I heard my uncle talking to Hans, then felt him move nearer.
He lifted my head and put it in his lap.
My dear boy, he said, drink, drink.
I thought perhaps my uncle had gone mad.
Drink.
What was I supposed to drink?
He held his flask to my mouth and poured in a few drops of water.
A miracle.
He poured in a few more drops and I was restored.
I looked up at my uncle with those tears in his eyes.
How could it be?
I asked.
Where did the water come from?
I saved the last drink for you, he said.
Poor boy, I knew you would have a difficult time.
I was overwhelmed by this kindness.
I knew that my uncle cared for me, but I was surprised that he was being so gentle.
He was normally so gruff.
This action was very thoughtful, and I was touched.
I thought that now my uncle would understand my worries.
I suggested that we go back to the surface to search for water.
Go back, he said.
Axel, did that drink of water not give you courage?
We cannot turn back now.
But, uncle, I pleaded, without water we will die.
Fine, he said, you and Hans can leave.
I will continue on my own.
By yourself.
Uncle, you can't make this journey on your own, I said.
I intend to finish what I've started, he said.
If I must go on my own, then I will.
I grabbed Hans by the arms and tried to drag him to his feet.
Hans, I said, we must force him back.
We cannot stay in this tunnel.
We will all die.
My uncle refused to move.
Axel, my uncle said, listen to me.
I will make a deal with you.
I let go of Hans' arms and listened.
While you were passed out, I explored a bit, he said.
We're very close to the other tunnel.
I was able to climb up and look inside.
That's how close we are.
I saw that the other tunnel slopes right down at a steep angle.
We will be on the right track again soon.
Give me one more day.
We will leave in the morning if we don't find water by the end of the day.
We will go back to the surface.
You promise, I asked.
I promise, he said.
