Part 56 (1/2)

”Which way does the draught set in the tunnel--away from the cavern or into it?”

”Why?”

”Because, if the current of air bloay from us, we can easily keep them out”

”It blows from the cave into the tunnel I found that out before”

”Then we have got thee, pile up blocks of this sulphur on the inner side, and the ill carry the fumes down into the tunnel”

”A splendid plan,” said Mr Hu fired into the dark passage as a warning to the eneht the sulphur, a thick smoke rolled away ”That will stop the”

The rest of the night passed for them in peace as far as their assailants were concerned, but the chilling da was pinched and shi+vering when the first ray of sunshi+ne struck slanting down through the e of hope froht outer world

CHAPTER XXIII

THROUGH THE VAULTS

They shared the goats'- in the calabash, and at once entered the first exit, that was to lead theht of the day Venning went first, carrying only the strange lantern, and Mr Hu hand if he were again overco to the dark, but the going was easy enough with a gradual ascent What pleased the of the hubbubaway froer In silence and in darkness they kept on up to a point where the walls widened out, and where there was a faation Mr Huus-la it up, disclosed a slab of rock with a pile of white ash on it Blowing upon this, he started a glow fro on a few half-burnt sticks, soon ht they saw a couple of rush-mats, such as the natives make, on the floor, and these, added to the fire,evidence of frequent use; for there were other ether with several calabashes, and an earthen pot of native e continued, they hurried on, for these hus res they had no wish to es

”How do you account for people living down here?” asked Venning

”They e, afflicted either by disease or madness, or they h! I wonder if the Inkosikasi has any connection with theet out ill have a ith her”

”When we get out! But it will be fine to see old dick again, and to see the birds and insects on the ain--bends to the left”

”Keep on slowly”

As they went the noise of waters again reached the in voluht, they looked out through a sht

”See-place”

The wall on their left was very thin, and shook to each report; but presently the passage ht, which took theh a narrow doorway, opened into one of the best-lighted caverns they had yet entered The light which streamed in from the wall beyond was very welcoh the crack was better The first thing they did was to run across to the crack and look out

”The river--and the valley!” cried Venning

Below thereen of the valley bathed in sunshi+ne, the river glittering like silver, and the scene like a gliloole hen we first arrived, and right away yonder I can see a flock of goats ah and cliers to the wind ”We are on the south-west side of the cliff, nearly overlooking the entrance to the canon”

”It is very steep there We should want a rope--and a long rope, too”