"I believe we are coming to the end of this branch," said Dick, half an hour later.
"There is a small opening to the left," replied the Englishman. "We will try that;" and as before, he led the way.
A narrow passageway was passed, and they came into a round chamber fifty feet or more in diameter. From overhead the water dripped constantly, and curious spiders and black bugs ran hither and thither, as the party approached with their torches.
"Oh, my! Look!"
The cry came from Don, and was taken up by several of the others.
"We've struck a cemetery of bones," said Bob; and he was right. On all sides of the chamber were piles of bones, with here and there a row of skeleton heads!
"There must be nigh onto a thousand o' 'em," muttered old Jacob, as he surveyed the scene. "Never saw sech a tarnal sight in my life!"
"It's certainly a grim spectacle," returned Robert Menden. "I wonder how they happened to place these bones here?"
No one could answer that question. They hunted around for bits of clothing and jewelry, but none came to sight.
"This ain't to my taste," said old Jacob—"let us go on;" and on they went to a small cavern beyond.