It was the first time they had set eyes upon the huge trees and tangled undergrowth of the outside world in two whole years, and, dreary as their surroundings were, they thought it the most beautiful sight they had ever witnessed.
Those who had reached the earth’s surface were Dick Vincey, Leo Malvern, Prof. Remington Easy, Martin Haypole, Andrew Jones, Reginald Lacy and Philander Owens.
The only one missing of those who had entered the door in the obelisk, two years before, was Lucky, the darky.
Leo and Dick thought of this at about the same time, and were for going back to search for him.
As they were arguing over the matter with their friends they heard a whistle in the distance, and, on looking in the direction it came from, discovered the darky approaching them.
“Hurrah!” yelled Lucky, as he observed them, “I’s so glad I hab foun’ youse, Massa Leo and Massa Dick.”
“How did you get out of the Land of Hez?” asked Leo.
“De roof done cave in a little while back an’ kill putty nigh all de people. I run for de stairs dat we cum down when we fust cum here, an’ went up them till I seed a light. I got out easy enough, as de big gravestone had fall down an’ broke in two. I was terribly scared—’deed I was; an’ waited in de bushes till I heered youse a-talkin’. Den I whistled an’ cum over here.”
That was the explanation Lucky gave for his sudden appearance, and it about covered the matter.