“Here is something else we can report to Captain Dale,” was Fred’s comment.
Not knowing what else to do, the boys marked the spot so that they could remember it, and then pushed onward through the forest. Two hours later they reached a sort of gully, with the rough rocks on one side and an overhanging cliff on the other.
“Fine place for snakes,” remarked Spouter, as they walked along.
“We’re not looking for snakes, so please don’t mention them,” answered Jack.
Why they did it, the boys could not explain afterwards, but they continued along the gully until they reached a point where there was something of a split in the face of the cliff.
“Here’s another one of those caves just like that which we found over on the bay front,” declared Fred. “Let’s go in and see what it looks like.”
With nothing in particular in view, the others were willing, and, turning on a flashlight which they had brought along, they climbed down into the cave-like opening. It was very irregular in shape, and they had to proceed with caution.
And then, while they were climbing down among the rocks, something happened which caused each of the cadets to start wildly. A strange rumbling sound filled the air, a blowing and hissing, and then came a pounding and a clanking, sounding with great clearness in that confined space.
“It’s the same noises we heard before, and they are not very far off!” cried Jack to the others. “There must be a workshop of some sort around here.”
Hardly knowing what to expect, the boys continued to climb down into the opening they had discovered. Soon they reached a narrow passageway, where going was a little easier. Then they came to a spot where there was considerable wetness, showing that they had reached the level of the water in the bay beyond.