glare on the rocks and
the rippling water. It was a weird and uncanny scene, and he shivered
involuntarily. He would have given a good deal to have been in the outer
world once more.

Allen saw that the river had simply widened at the spot, and that a
hundred yards further on it flowed into a narrow channel, as before.
Only on the side which he occupied was there anything in the shape of a
shore. Opposite the rocks stood straight up, and were covered with moss
and slime.

"If I am to get out, it must be from this shore upward," Allen thought
as he surveyed the situation. "I can never get back on the river. One
could never row even a boat against that current."

The shore was not more than thirty or forty feet wide. It was backed up
by rocks, but Allen was glad to see that they did not present an
unbroken surface. There were numerous fissures, and in one place the
opening was a dozen feet in width.

Selecting the brightest of the firebrands Allen, left the vicinity of
the stream and started to explore this opening. He was in great hopes
that it would lead upward and that he would thus be enabled to climb
out of his prison--for to him that damp, dark place was nothing less.

The opening was filled with loose stones, and Allen had to be careful
for fear of spraining an ankle, or worse. He moved along slowly, halting
every few steps to survey the scene ahead.

Twenty yards distant from the entrance to the fissure Allen came to a
turn to the left. Here was a narrow opening just large enough for him to
pass through. Beyond was another cavern-like spot not over ten yards in
width and height and of interminable length.

Fearful of losing his way, Allen hesitated about advancing. But
presently he plucked up courage, and, holding down his firebrand, he
allowed it to burn up again and then proceeded along the chamber.

The flooring was uneven and covered with loose rocks and stones. Huge
stalactites hung down from overhead, and in several spots the moisture
dripped down with weird hollow sounds.

"I would like to know how far underground I really am," was Allen's
earnest mental speculation as he came to a halt beside a tiny stream
which flowed from one side of the cavern to the other. "If there was
only some slope which led upward it would be more encouraging. But it's
about as flat as a bit of prairie land."

Allen hopped over the stream, and, assured that he could easily retrace
his steps if necessary, continued on