Part 18 (1/2)

aPeter, can she fit through there?a she asked.

aWith a little greaseaa I said with a laugh and cleared my throat.

The entrance was extremely narrow, not looking like an entrance at all, but the rush of air that blew through it had my curiosity on alert. aIt has to lead somewhere,a I said.

aLet me try and find it.a Maggie took a deep breath.

Now Maggie is a small woman; I had my doubts but kept them to myself. I didnat want to play dodge the hurled flashlight. With Bridget behind us, Peter and I watched as Maggie tried to wedge her small body through the narrow opening. It was a tight fit, but G.o.d love her, she squeezed through.

Peter and I quickly stood at the narrow entrance and peered through the darkness. aIam gonna slip a flashlight through, sweetie,a I called out.

aOkay, hurry up, itas dark in here,a she called back. I could tell by the echo of her voice that she had found a larger portion of the cave. I turned to Peter who already had the flashlight in hand.

It seemed like a d.a.m.ned lifetime, and my stomach was in knots before we saw the high beam of the flashlight through the narrow opening. Peter and I stuck our noses in as close as we could. I could barely make out Maggieas form as she looked around the confines of the other cave.

aWhattaya see, Maggie?a I called out.

aNothing. It looks the same as out there. The water is not as deep here, though,a she called back. aJust around my ankles. Waitaa Peter and I jockeyed for position. aMaggie!a I called out. d.a.m.n this woman. aMaggie!a aHold on, Kate,a Bridget said from behind me. aSheall be fine.a She sounded far too confident of this; I was not in the least bit sure.

aMaggie, what do ya see?a Peter called out.

aI-I think thereas another aa Her voice trailed off.

The beam of the flashlight dimmed and my heart pounded in my ears. aMaggie!a I yelled.

aKate, will you stop yelling?a Maggie called out. aGood grief, Iam fine.a aThen answer me!a I yelled through the small opening. aDammit.a aI am answering you!a she yelled back.

aWhere are you? I canat get to you if something happens!a I continued to yell.

aNothing is going to happen!a Maggie shouted in return.

I growled angrily and ran my fingers through my hair. It was then I caught a glimpse of Peter and Bridget just watching me as they listened to our tirade. Peter shook his head. He gently pushed me out of the way.

aMaggie? Is there another entrance?a Peter asked in a loud, but calm voice.

aYes, I think so. Let me do a little exploring,a Maggie called back.

aNo!a I exclaimed and stuck my face in the narrow opening. aHey, I think we can squeeze in here.a aKate, will you quit shouting?a Maggie shouted.

I turned to Peter, who was painfully pinching the bridge of his nose. He was getting exasperated, I could tell. It was all Maggieas faulta”sheas so stubborn.

I peered back through the opening and watched as Maggie walked back toward it. aPeter, do you think you can use that ax on this entrance? Itas really thin on this side,a Maggie called out.

I looked back at Peter who shrugged. aMight work.a aYeah, and it might collapse on Maggie,a I offered firmly.

aNo, it wonat. Although,a he said and examined the rock, ait looks as though these walls may have s.h.i.+fted through the years.a With that, he reached out and pushed on the large rocks. By the look on his face, I could tell he was as astonished as I was when a few gave way.

aThatas some s.h.i.+ft,a I said sarcastically, as I too reached down to examine the loose rocks. aPeter, youare the archaeologist, whatas up with these rocks?a aThey donat look like part of the cave wall,a he responded thoughtfully. He held the pickax in position and called, aMaggie, stand back, luv.a I stood there with Bridget, as Peter went to work. In a matter of minutes, he had a sizable chunk of rock chipped away, enough to squeeze us through. It flashed through my mind how easily the rocks crumbled.

This time, I gently pushed Peter aside. aLadies first,a he said with a bow and stepped back.

What a struggle. Now I know what my grandmother meant when she said, aItas like stuffing ten pounds oa potatoes in a five-pound sack.a All Irish deal in potatoes. I groaned and grunted as I slipped sideways through the opening.

It was then I felt Peter pus.h.i.+ng on my hip. aOkay, okay, give me a minute!a I called out. aMy hip is attached, you know. I come fully a.s.sembled, noaa I grunted aaspareaa I groaned and slipped through with help from Peter and fell face first into the shallow cold water aaparts.a aAre ya all right?a Peter called out. I heard the laughter in his voice.

aAm I all right?a I mumbled. aYes, Iam fine.a I stood and ran my hand through my wet hair and looked around.

Maggie was nowhere in sight.

Chapter 26.

Peter slipped a flashlight through. I aimed the high beam around the dark cave.

aWhatas the matter?a Peter groaned as half his body was through the opening. I quelled the urge to yank on his legs.

aI canat find Maggie. d.a.m.n that woman.a I started down the narrow cave. aMaggie!a I called out.

Peter and Bridget were right behind me. aShe canat have gone far,a Bridget offered. I was not that hopeful.

It was dark as pitch, even with the flashlights. My heart was in my stomach as we walked through the ankle-deep water; still no sign of Maggie.

Then, up ahead, we heard her. aGuys?a Maggie called out.

I breathed a sigh of relief and started to run. I couldnat see the beam from her flashlight, so when I nearly ran her over, it scared the h.e.l.l out of me. All of the sudden, I had one hundred and ten pounds of s.h.i.+vering doctor in my arms. aWhat happened?a I asked quickly and tightened my arms around her.

aNothing,a she replied nonchalantly. I was still looking for my heart, and sheas calm. aI dropped my flashlight when I saw it.a Peter and Bridget caught up to us. aWhat happened?a Peter asked breathlessly.

Maggie swept her hair off her face. I saw the big grin. aI found another pa.s.sage. Come quick,a she said, almost giddy, and pulled at my arm.

We ran through water as the beams from our flashlights danced around the cave walls. Maggie stopped abruptly and crouched down. It was another pa.s.sageway. We all joined Maggie and peered into the dark tunnel.

I grabbed for Maggie as she started forward. aNo, let me or Peter go,a I offered. Peter agreed.

aSheas right. You and Bridget stay here. Kate and I will go,a Peter said.

I itched with excitement; Maggie pouted.

I followed Peter as we crawled through the tunnel. aDoesnat it seem like weare moving upward?a I asked as we sloshed in the cold water. I thought of rats and quickly dispelled it. It was too late; now I had the constant feeling of something crawling up my pant leg.

aWe are,a Peter said over his shoulder. aIall wager weare headed toward the mill.a aHow far do you think weavea”a I was interrupted.

aAre you two all right?a Maggieas voice bellowed.

aYes. Quit yelling, youall collapse the cave,a I called back.

Peter ran his hand over this face. aI think weave gone about eighty feet or so.a aUpward. Weare headed for the surface,a I said.