molehole

With shells ex-ploding on the ground and sending flesh-cutting splinters of rock flying through the port, and others exploding with ear-shattering force against the metal of the molehole itself, it was almost impossible to line up a decent shot.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Inside the molehole shaft there was no place to hide, no cover to be had.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Formerly an anchor loosely attached to the top of the molehole, it had been pressed into duty for which it had not been de'signed, but for which it proved more than sufficient.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Above, the molehole cap began to descend, ratch-eting downward until it was once more level with the surface.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Crowded together at the top of the molehole and at first seeing nothing in the still dim light, it took a moment for their eyes to focus and register on the figures that reemerged from the distant fissure, still moving forward but on a tack that kept them well out of range.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Standing atop the molehole lid, Riddick swung the metal spike around and down, its tip describing a perfect arc through the ash.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Stance lost, life lost, he tumbled down the molehole shaft like a rag-doll casually tossed aside by an uncaring child, bouncing and bumping off his stunned comrades who had clustered below.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

Frozen lava provided plenty of cover that they used to good advantage, working their way ever closer to the molehole.

The Chronicles of Riddick Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2004

"We were comin 'down the slope of the hill two miles outside the village, leading the horses because the footing was bad, and Ian stepped in a molehole and broke his leg," Jamie explained.

Dragonfly in Amber Gabaldon, Diana 1992

Ian had in fact broken his wooden leg by stepping into a molehole near Broch Mordha.

Dragonfly in Amber Gabaldon, Diana 1992