Part 25 (1/2)
They went down and peered through the low arch into the narroay between the rocks, and onward into the other chamber, which looked black and dark to them as they entered from the well-lit outer cavern But in a few looht which impressed Mike, as the poetical lad of the pair
”I say,” he said softly, ”isn't this one beautiful?”
”Not half so beautiful as the other,” said Vince bluntly
”Oh yes, it is so soft and grey It's just as if it was the inside of a great oyster-shell”
”And you were a pearl,” cried Vince, laughing ”Never h, and if ever we slept here this place would do for bedroom, but I don't think that's very likely Well, I suppose we'd better go We've been here a precious long time, and I shall be late for tea”
”Never mind: come hoo up through that black hole”
”We shan't mind it if it hasn't tumbled in since we came, and shut us up”
”I say, don't!” cried Mike, with a look of horror ”That ht fly,” cried Vince, laughing ”I say, what a chap you are to take fright! Puzzle a stone place like that to tuht come off the roof, but even then we could crawl over them, for they must leave a hole where they coly, and they walked to the foot of the slide
”I'll go first,” cried Vince; and, seizing the rope, he held on by it, and, shortening his hold as he went, contrived to walk right up to the top, in spite of the great angle at which it stood
”Try that way, Mike: it's as easy as easy”
The boy tried, and after a slip or two ed to reach the top pretty well Here it was found that the candle had burned right out, but without injuring the socket; and a fresh piece having been set up, a light was soon obtained, and they started back, after deciding to leave the rope where it was, ready for their next visit, as they did not anticipate any difficulty about cli back up the various step-like falls
There was plenty to have detained thee of the little underground river presented a wonderfully different aspect from the new point of view, and often seeht of the horn lanthorn; but there were no difficulties that a couple of active lads ready to help each other did not readily sur curves and loops and corners, ressing, till Mike was horrified by one of his companion's remarks
It was just as they had paused breathless before beginning to clireat step-like impediments
”I say, Ladle,” he cried, ”suppose the water was to co down here! What should we do?”
But Mike recovered his balance directly
”Pooh!” he cried; ”how could it? I don't believe there has been water along here for hundreds of years”
He began to cliain, till it struck Vince seriously that they were a very long ti out, and he cried, in alar, have we?”
His words struck a chill through both, and they stood there speechless for so in each other's dimly seen faces
”Couldn't,” cried Mike at last ”We did not pass a single turning”
”Didn't see a single turning?” said Vince ”No, we did not; but we ht or left, and co”
”I say, don't say that,” whispered Mike hoarsely; ”it sounds so horrible Why, we ht into soround”
”See,” said Vince sadly, ”or we should have got out by now We ht or left, and--here we are”