is under a loch. It would not be
the first time that coal has been looked for under the very bed of the
ocean! When we have to work under the bottom of the Caledonian Canal,
where will be the harm?"

"Well said, Simon," cried the engineer, who could not restrain a smile
at the overman's enthusiasm; "let us cut our trenches under the waters
of the sea! Let us bore the bed of the Atlantic like a strainer; let
us with our picks join our brethren of the United States through
the subsoil of the ocean! let us dig into the center of the globe if
necessary, to tear out the last scrap of coal."

"Are you joking, Mr. Starr?" asked Ford, with a pleased but slightly
suspicious look.

"I joking, old man? no! but you are so enthusiastic that you carry
me away into the regions of impossibility! Come, let us return to the
reality, which is sufficiently beautiful; leave our picks here, where we
may find them another day, and let's take the road back to the cottage."

Nothing more could be done for the time. Later, the engineer,
accompanied by a brigade of miners, supplied with lamps and all
necessary tools, would resume the exploration of New Aberfoyle. It was
now time to return to the Dochart pit. The road was easy, the gallery
running nearly straight through the rock up to the orifice opened by the
dynamite, so there was no fear of their losing themselves.

But as James Starr was proceeding towards the gallery Simon Ford stopped
him.

"Mr. Starr," said he, "you see this immense cavern, this subterranean
lake, whose waters bathe this strand at our feet? Well! it is to this
place I mean to change my dwelling, here I will build a new cottage,
and if some brave fellows will follow my example, before a year is over
there will be one town more inside old England."

James Starr, smiling approval of Ford's plans, pressed his hand, and all
three, preceding Madge, re-entered the gallery, on their way back to
the Dochart pit. For the first mile no incident occurred. Harry walked
first, holding his lamp above his head. He carefully followed the
principal gallery, without ever turning aside into the narrow tunnels
which radiated to the right and left. It seemed as if the returning was
to be accomplished as easily as the going, when an unexpected accident
occurred which rendered the situation of the explorers very serious.

Just at a moment when Harry was raising his lamp there came a rush of
air, as if caused by the flapping of invisible