Part 25 (2/2)

”Oh, so do I!” ejaculated the boy, and both started onward eagerly

Long before the fall of water was gained they found theround strea fro into the streaht so in that,”

Nevertheless, they stopped for a drink, for the trah the caves had made them thirsty The old sailor held the torch, while Larry carried the kettle It ell that the top of the kettle was on tight, otherwise the contents would have been spilled long before this

Beyond the waterfall the cave opened out once h arch, fro stupendous stalactites of white and brown Here the water dripped down in the forh we are underground,” remarked Leroy ”I must say I hope this don't last If it does, we'll soon be wet to the skin” The vaulted cave soon came to an end, however, and now they found the cut up into a hundred different chambers, like a coal mine supported by arches Each looked at the other in perplexity

”We can easily miss the way here,” said Larry, soberly ”We had better lay out a course and stick to it”

”Right you are, lad” Leroy pointed with his hand ”This seeood a trail as any Shall we follow it?”

”Yes” And forward it was again Presently they caain upward,upward, we are bound to get out at the top, so now became difficult, and in a nu Then cah, and here they were compelled to halt

”It looks as if ere blocked,” remarked the _Yorktown_ sailor after an exaive up yet,” answered the boy ”If we can't get up any other e can build a stairs with those loose stones we just passed”

”Hurrah! you've solved the difficulty!” exclaimed the old sailor, and they set to ith a will But rolling and lifting the stones into place was no mean job, and when at last they were able to pull theeway above, both were utterly worn out and glad enough to sit down The rest lasted longer than either had intended, for Leroy, who had not slept well the night before, dozed off, and Larry was not of a heart to wake him up So the boy went to sleep too, and neither awakened until early

”Hullo! what's this?” cried Leroy, the first to open his eyes All was so dark about hiuished the torch--that for theout his hand he touched the youth on the face, and Larry awoke instantly

They were both hungry, and lighting the torch again, warmed up the kettle of stew, and then ate about one-third of the stuff ”Touches the spot,” cried Leroy, s his lips He could have eaten much more, but kneas best to be careful of their supply until the outer world was gained

Much refreshed by their sleep, but somewhat stiff fro before, they proceed on their way, still cli upward and still in a darkness, that was only partly dispelled by the feeble glare of the torch, which was noing alarht won't last more than a couple o' hours,” said Leroy

”Perhaps we had better split the stick in two” This was done, and thus the feeble light was reduced one-half

Would the caves never come to an end? Such was the question Larry asked hiain Was it possible that they were to journey so far only to find theht made him shi+ver, and he pushed on faster than ever

”Do you knohat I think?” said Leroy, an hour later ”I think we arearound in a circle?”

”A circle?”

”Ay, lad Don't you notice how the passageway keeps turning to the right?”

Larry had noticed it ”But we are going upward,” he said

”True; but who knows but e'll be going doard presently”

Still they kept on, but now Larry's heart began to fail hiressed so far, had et back would probably be iht wander about in theive out Larry shi+vered again and clutched the precious kettle of stew tighter than ever He was once er increased before reducing the stock of food

The passageas now level for a considerable distance, with here and there a rock to be climbed over or a crack to cross Both had justseveral feet hen Leroy set up a shout