to a high arch, from which hung stupendous
stalactites of white and brown. Here the water dripped down in the
form of a fine rain.

"We're in a shower, lad, even though 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 themselves in an opening 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 seems as good
a trail as any. Shall we follow it?"

"Yes." And forward it was again. Presently they came to another
chamber, and here the slope was again upward, much to their
satisfaction. "If we keep on going upward, we are bound to get out at
the top, sometime," was the way Larry calculated.

Climbing now became difficult, and in a number of places each had to
help the other along. Then came a wall twelve feet high, and here they
were compelled to halt.

"It looks as if we were blocked," remarked the _Yorktown_ sailor after
an examination.

"I'm not going to give up yet," answered the boy. "If we can't get up
any other way, we 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 work with a will. But rolling and lifting the stones into
place was no mean job, and when at last they were able to pull
themselves to the passageway 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 morning.

"Hullo! what's this?" cried Leroy, the first to open his eyes. All was
so dark about him--Larry having extinguished the torch--that for the
minute he could not collect his senses. Putting out 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, smacking his lips. He could have eaten much
more, but knew it was best to be careful of their supply until the
outer world was gained.

Mu