“I’d rather wait until we gain the open air.”
“But we can’t make it—yet—so be content, lad. It’s something to know thet the blue sky is beyond.”
They sat down, and soon finished one-half of what remained of the mess in the kettle. Never had anything tasted sweeter, and it was only by the exercise of the greatest self-control that they kept back a portion of the food.
“Perhaps we’ll have to go back, remember that,” said Leroy, as he put the cover on the kettle once more.
“Go back? No, no, Leroy! I’ll try jumping over first.”
“I don’t think I shall. Thet hole— What’s that?”
A sound had reached the old sailor’s ears, coming from some distance ahead. It was the sound of footsteps approaching.
“Somebody is coming!” whispered Larry, and 246 crouched down. Then a man put in an appearance, coming from the opposite end of the passageway. He was an American soldier, hatless and almost in tatters.
“Hullo there!” cried Larry, leaping up. “Oh, but I’m glad you came!”
At the cry the soldier stopped short in amazement. Larry’s words echoed and reëchoed throughout the passage. He looked toward the pair at the chasm, but could make out little saving the torch which Leroy was holding.