ed that his
chum had an idea of some sort, which he was ready to spring on them.

Both the others agreed with Jack; for they knew that Paul was better
able to grapple with such an emergency than either of them claimed to
be. And besides, it is so nice to have another fellow do all the
thinking at such times.

"Then listen," said the patrol leader; "the fact that we can feel a
draught of air plainly here tells me there must be another opening to
the cave not very far off. If that is the case perhaps we could reach it
easier than go back over all the ground we've covered. What say,
fellows?"

Every boy declared himself in favor of pushing on into the unknown
region that lay before, rather than to take chances trying to retrace
their steps. Perhaps the spirit of adventure lured them on more or less,
for it appeals to almost every lad with red blood in his veins.

"That settles it, then; and we'd better get off at once," remarked Paul,
satisfied that it was all for the best.

The last torch was speedily used. Then they crept along in the dark for
a time, after which one of the matches was struck very carefully, in
order that they might see their surroundings.

"Wow!" exclaimed Bobolink as he found himself looking into what seemed
to be a very deep and black hole; "wasn't it lucky we got the glim going
when we did? I guess I'd dropped into that pit if we'd held off any
longer. My good little angel must have warned me to light up."

After that they were even more careful. None of them felt like taking a
header into such a gulf, since a fall might break limbs, or do even
worse.

"That was my last match!" announced Bobolink, after a while.

"I've got just one more," said Jack, dolefully.

Paul had another, and Joe was completely out. Still there did not seem
to be any end to the passage; and Paul, for the first time, began to
suspect that they had made a serious mistake in deciding to go ahead,
instead of retreating.

"I'm just getting played out, and that's no yarn," announced Bobolink,
who had been limping for some little time, and grunting, as he would
himself have said, "to beat the band."

"Suppose then, you three wait here for me," proposed Paul; "I'll make
my way along further, and try to find out if there is any hope of
finding an opening. I promise to keep one hand on the wall here, so I
can get back again."

They were loth to have him go; but Joe was almost "all in" too, and Jack
thought he ought to s