“Sure,” he said. “Let’s go to it. If we get through we’ll know what we want to know. If we—we don’t, it doesn’t make much difference, does it, old man?”
Impulsively Bob put out his hand. “We’ll win out, Jerry, and we’ll be proud that we did it. If something should happen—it’s for the Service!”
They felt the spirit of pioneers and an immense loyalty to the Service and what it stood for. Jerry shook his hand warmly.
A moment later the boys were afloat. As they got near to the dark entrance they saw that the jagged rocks which fringed the arch came very near to the water.
“We’ll have to feel our way through,” said Bob. “Lie low until we get in and then try to catch hold of the roof. We don’t want to go through too fast.”
“All right,” sang out Jerry. “But I wish we had a lantern.”
“Keep wishing,” laughed Bob. “That’s about all the good it’ll do you.”
The very real danger had shaken Jerry out of his aloofness. This is very often the case in moments of real peril when even bitter enemies are drawn together and become friends during the moments of danger.
“Duck!” yelled Jerry.
Hardly were the words out of his mouth before the boat and its occupants were plunged into the gloom of the cavern.