each moment the moaning, gurgling, and groaning
from the unknown depths into which I was sinking became more distinct
and horrible.

"Suddenly, those above let go of the rope and with a yell of despair I
dropped, I do not know how far, into water that closed above my head. As
I rose to the surface, choking and gasping for breath, I felt that I was
being swept forward by a powerful current, and as I again sank my feet
touched bottom. A moment later I stood in water up to my shoulders and
again breathed freely. For some time I was confused beyond the power of
thought by the hollow roar of the black waters rushing through those
awful caverns. All surrounding space seemed filled with snarling,
formless monsters, cautiously advancing and making ready to spring at
me. Even now I often awake at night with the horror of that moment
strong upon me. It was so unendurable that I resolved to end it. It was
with great difficulty that I maintained my footing. I could not do so
much longer. Why should I attempt to? There was absolutely no hope of
escape. I tried to pray 'Oh, Lord Jesus, receive my soul.' Then my
muscles relaxed and I was swept away by the rushing torrent.

"I have no idea how far I was carried before my feet again touched
bottom, this time in water that was not above my waist. I had closed my
eyes. Now I opened them. A bright light was swinging to and fro not a
hundred feet from me. I stared at it blankly and with little interest,
only wondering with a languid curiosity what sort of a subterranean
_ignis fatuus_ it might be, when suddenly my bewildered senses were
startled into renewed activity by the sound of a shout. It was a human
voice uttering a long-drawn 'Hello-o-o!' that echoed and reechoed
weirdly through the cavernous depths about me. I essayed to answer, but
could not. Then I slowly made my way through the shoaling water toward
the light.

"In another minute I stood beside a boy, the one whose life I had saved
two months before, and as he cut the thongs that bound my arms he said
cheerily:

"'It's all right, Major. Paw'lowed you'd be coming along this yere way
'bout this time o' night, en' telled me to shorely be on hand to meet up
with yer. Now, ef yo'll foller me, we'll be outen this direckly.'

"The boy was standing in the mouth of a narrow passage, that, free from
water, led away almost at right angles to the main channel of the
underground river. It ended at a well-like opening in which stood a r