In high spirits the party retraced their steps as far as the Bottomless Pit on the right, and the black chasm Beersheba, on the left, a distance of about five miles from the entrance to the cave.
"Take care!" warned the guide; "it is wet and slippery here, and the path is very narrow."
They were creeping on in single file when Stephen called back,—
"Mr. Hammond, you look pretty strong—would you help steady this railing? It seems a little shaky."
Hammond came on ahead and stood bracing the bridge, which was one of the very few man-made structures in the cavern, while the other escorts led the girls, one at a time, around the abrupt and slippery ledge. In consequence of this stringing out of torches, the light was dim along the narrow way, so that even these few steps of advance had left the Bottomless Pit in darkness.
Suddenly there was a rapid, rushing sound in the rear; a whirring echo; a suppressed cry, and a heavy splash far below. The ladies screamed, and the faces of the men grew pallid with horror.
"My God! What was it? Who was it?" burst from their lips.
"Don't go back, gentlemen!" shouted the guide. "It's no use! Come on this side here—I'll go back. First, see who is missing. If anybody is down there, the Lord have mercy on him, for man can't help him."
Soon the trembling, awe-struck party were safe on a platform, and the lights were bunched to their full radiance. Some one cried: