"There's one for each of us," he said. "And we must each have some matches in our pockets, in case of emergencies."
"What emergencies?" asked Gabrielle.
"Well, suppose we got separated?"
"Separated! Don't talk of it. You're not going to lose me, I can tell you. I shall hold on to your coat the whole way. I shan't go in at all if you mean to play hide-and-seek. Promise you won't lose me!"
"Don't be silly! Nobody wants to lose you," said Percy. "I'm only taking proper precautions. There! Are you ready? Eric and I will go first, and you and Dorothy can follow."
"Shades of Pluto, it's spooky!" exclaimed Eric, leading the way.
The passage ran level for about fifteen yards, then began abruptly to descend into the hollow of the mountain. The walls were jagged and uneven, there were frequent turnings and windings, and the floor was rough with small stones or lumps of rock. In two or three places it was very damp. Moisture dripped from the roof and oozed in limestone tears down the walls, forming slimy, milky pools under foot. In the distance they could hear the gurgling of water. The two boys, as pioneers, walked slowly, holding their lights so as to examine well the ground in front. The girls followed them closely.
"I should think it's like this in the Catacombs," said Gabrielle.
"It reminds me of the story of the Princess and the Goblin," said Dorothy.