eka, impressively.

Such creatures are we of the light and air, that it is safe to assert
that not even the boldest among us can undertake the most cursory
exploration into the bowels of the earth without a consciousness of ever
so slight a sobering influence, a kind of misgiving begotten of the idea
of darkness and weight--a feeling as though the cavern roof might crush
down upon us, and bury us there throughout the aeons of eternity. It is
not surprising, therefore, that our three friends--all men of tried
courage--should sit down for a few minutes, and contemplate this yawning
black hole in dubious silence.

It was no reflection on their courage, either. They had just dared and
surmounted a peril trying and frightful enough to tax the strongest
nerves--and now before them lay the entrance to an unknown _inferno_; a
place bristling with grim and mysterious terrors such as even their
stout-hearted guide--the only man who knew what they were--recoiled from
braving again. They could hardly believe that the friend and
fellow-countrymen, whom all these months they had reckoned among the
slain, lay near them within that fearful place, alive, and perchance
unharmed. It might be, however, that the cavern before them was but a
tunnel, leading to some hidden and inaccessible retreat like the curious
crater-like hollow they had just skirted.

"_Au_!" exclaimed Josane, with a dissatisfied shake of the head. "We
cannot afford to _sleep_ here. If we intend to go in we must do so at
once."

There was reason in this. Their preparations were simple enough--and
consisted in seeing that their weapons were in perfect readiness.
Eustace, too, had lighted a strong bull's-eye lantern with a closing
slide. Besides this, each man was plentifully supplied with candles,
which, however, it was decided, should only be used if a quantity of
light became absolutely necessary.

Be it remembered not one of the three white men had other than the
vaguest idea of the nature of the horrors which this gruesome place
might disclose. Whether through motives of superstition or from
whatever cause, Josane had hitherto preserved a remarkable silence on
the subject. Now he said, significantly:

"Hear my words, Amakosi. Tread one behind the other, _and look neither
to the right nor to the left, nor above. But look where you place your
steps, and look carefully_. Remember my words, for I know that of which
I speak."

They compared their watc