of the Indian, set
off on the proposed exploration. The doctor's eagerness however, would
scarcely allow him to consent to this delay; but as he was not disposed
to go alone, or accompanied only by Jumbo, he agreed to wait till Gerald
and I had had some dinner--after which, we had promised, we would set
off with him, provided Kanimapo would act as our guide. The Indian
consented to lead the way as far as he had ever before been; but he
confessed that he had never penetrated to the end. Indeed, he believed
that no human being had ever done so; and he hinted that we should be
wise not to make the attempt, as the place was full of the spirits of
people who had departed this life, and who might resent our intrusion.

"I'll take care to settle that matter with them," observed the doctor,
laughing. "I would sooner encounter ten thousand spirits than a single
anaconda; and Jumbo has not the slightest fear of them."

Had the doctor denied the existence of the spirits, he might have
offended the Indian; as it was, Kanimapo only looked upon him as a
wonderfully courageous person, and treated him with even more respect
than before.

We immediately collected sticks, and had a fire blazing, before which
Candela exerted his culinary powers in preparing our repast; while we
arranged, as usual, some huts for my mother and the rest of the family.

The Indian had, in the meantime, formed a bundle of torches of some
resinous wood which he cut with his machete. "We shall require these,"
he observed; "for the light of day cannot penetrate beyond a quarter of
the length of the cavern."

As soon as our provisions were cooked, the doctor almost bolted his
share, and then proposed setting off. Gerald and I were soon ready; and
the Indian, who evidently felt a pride in the cavern, said that he would
lead the way. He took a couple of torches himself, and divided the rest
among us; inquiring of the doctor whether he had the means of producing
a light.

"I am never without these," was the answer; "lead on, my friend, and we
will follow."

Our astonishment was increased when we found that the vegetation
extended far away into the depths of the cavern, growing on both sides
of the stream which proceeded out of it,--even palms, arums, and other
plants reaching to the height of fifteen or twenty feet.

"Hark to the sound which proceeds from the inner part of the cavern,"
said our guide.

As he spoke, strange suppressed cries issued fr