"It makes me ill to think of the other way," said Venning, vehemently.
"It looks like a rabbit-hole."
"I'll go first."
"It may mean another night, if it takes up much time."
"I'm sure it's right," persisted the boy.
"Very well, here goes;" and the Hunter submitted against his judgment, because he feared beyond anything the breakdown of the boy's nerves.
He was obliged to slide down this black opening, and when he found a footing in a dark, cellar-like place, he at once struck a match under the belief that he stood in a mere pit and nothing else, but a puff of wind blew the match out.
"Come along; there is an opening."
The opening they found, and, as they entered it, they heard a shuffling noise behind.
"It's that hag gone up into the room," cried the Hunter, "and she'll give the alarm. We must go after her."