of. As we advanced farther in we
saw that the floor was composed of the same material as the pillars, and
it presented the curious appearance of ripples such as are formed on
water when gently ruffled by the wind. There were several openings on
either hand in the walls that seemed to lead into other caverns, but
these we did not explore at this time. We also observed that the
ceiling was curiously marked in many places, as if it were the fretwork
of a noble cathedral; and the walls, as well as the roof, sparkled in
the light of our torch, and threw back gleams and flashes as if they
were covered with precious stones. Although we proceeded far into this
cavern, we did not come to the end of it; and we were obliged to return
more speedily than we would otherwise have done, as our torch was nearly
expended. We did not observe any openings in the roof, or any
indications of places whereby light might enter; but near the entrance
to the cavern stood an immense mass of pure-white coral rock, which
caught and threw back the little light that found an entrance through
the cave's mouth, and thus produced, we conjectured, the pale-green
object which had first attracted our attention. We concluded, also,
that the reflecting power of this rock was that which gave forth the dim
light that faintly illumined the first part of the cave.

Before diving through the passage again we extinguished the small piece
of our torch that remained, and left it in a dry spot--conceiving that
we might possibly stand in need of it if, at any future time, we should
chance to wet our torch while diving into the cavern. As we stood for a
few minutes after it was out, waiting till our eyes became accustomed to
the gloom, we could not help remarking the deep, intense stillness and
the unutterable gloom of all around us; and as I thought of the
stupendous dome above, and the countless gems that had sparkled in the
torchlight a few minutes before, it came into my mind to consider how
strange it is that God should make such wonderful and exquisitely
beautiful works never to be seen at all--except, indeed, by chance
visitors such as ourselves.

I afterwards found that there were many such caverns among the islands
of the South Seas, some of them larger and more beautiful than the one I
have just described.

"Now, Ralph, are you ready?" said Jack in a low voice, that seemed to
echo up into the dome above.

"Quite ready."

"Come along, then," said h