et enough wood to keep us going," replied Bobolink; "and
besides, it seems to be lying all along the passage, as if some feller
had dropped pieces every time he went in with a load. Come on, say yes,
Paul."

"All right, then," said the patrol leader, ready to give way to
argument; "but we must be careful. I've got a scheme boys, to keep from
getting lost in this place."

"Tell us how, then!" demanded both the others; and Joe Clausin, who had
been hovering near by, came closer to catch what was being said.

"I've got a piece of red chalk in my pocket; and we can mark the way as
we go," Paul continued; "and when we get tired of prowling around so
that we want to come back here, all we have to do is to follow the red
marks of the arrows."

"That's what I call a bully scheme, Paul. Now come along," cried
Bobolink.

"Count me in too, fellows," said a voice just then.

"Why, hello! Joe, is that you?" exclaimed Paul, turning to look into the
eager face of the Clausin boy. "Why sure, if you want to go along, and
feel able to keep on your feet. Start up one of your torches, Bobolink;
and every one keep his eyes on the lookout for more tinder as we go
along."

Paul could not help noticing that Joe had an unusually eager look on his
face at the time he asked to accompany them. He could read between the
lines, and guessed what was in the other's mind. Perhaps Joe allowed
himself to imagine, or even hope, that luck might enable them to run
across the man who had passed up into this region, and who looked so
like some one he believed must be at the other side of the world.

Paul took the lead as the four boys moved away. Mr. Gordon looked after
them; but having the utmost confidence in the young patrol leader, he
did not ask them what their intentions were. And none of them imagined
they would be gone any great length of time.

Presently they had passed the line that marked the boundary of any
former search for fuel. And Paul noticed as he walked on, holding the
rude torch above his head, that the winding passage seemed to be
constantly getting larger. This gave him the idea that they must have
fallen into one of its extreme branches; and that perhaps, after all,
their exploration might reveal wonders of which none of them had so much
as dreamed.

CHAPTER XXXI

THE BOY SCOUTS AS EXPLORERS

"Oh! Shucks! there she goes again!" exclaimed Bobolink, when the torch
suddenly whiffed out, to leave them in the dark.