Part 22 (1/2)
”Can't be all like this, because there's water rushi+ng soo on till we come to the water, and then turn back”
”But if it's very dangerous?”
”We won't go into danger You keep the lanthorn well up, so that you can see where you go, and then you can stop”
”Suppose you lead now,” said Mike: ”ht”
”All right: I'll go first, then”
”But I'm not afraid to!” cried Mike hastily
”Well, I ao very slowly and carefully, I can tell you Here, you carry the rope and haht?”
He opened the lanthorn door now, and was surprised to see how little the candle was burned down, but there was a treht it was very dull,” he said; and, ers, he snuffed the candle--”Noe shall have a better light”
But unfortunately he had ers too much, and the result was that the shortened wick hissed, sputtered, burned blue, and then without further warning went out
”Oh!” cried Mike, in tones of horror, as they stood there in profound darkness
”Oh!” was echoed along the passage, and prolonged as if in a groan
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE SEA PALACE
For a fewto the dull roaring sound Then Vince started, for he felt himself touched; and he nearly uttered a cry of horror, but checked it by setting his teeth hard as he grasped the fact that the touch came from Mike's hand, which he seized and found to be cold and daasped the lad
”Yes: come on We can feel our way,” replied Vince ”Keep hold of hands No, that would ive me a piece of the rope, and I'll put it round my waist, then you can hold on by that and follow oes”
”Be quick!” said Mike, in an awe-stricken whisper, as he passed several yards of the rope to his companion in misfortune; and this Vince fastened round his waist, and then uttered an ejaculation
”What is it?” cried Mike: ”don't say so? No,” cried Vince, whose hands had coot the tinder-box”
”Ah!” cried Mike joyfully; and he pressed close to Vince, as the latter sat down, took out the box, and began nicking aith the flint and steel,sparks flash and send their feeble light in all directions
”Oh, donearer”
”I can hear it,” ; but not a spark took hold of the tinder
”Here, let me try,” cried Mike