"They'd probably be outside sunning themselves," objected Sammy.
They talked over the matter for several minutes more. It seemed a rather risky thing to venture inside the cave, and yet every boy felt he could not leave such a fascinating mystery without an attempt to solve it.
"I'll tell you what we'll do," concluded George at last. "We'll get some branches together and make a fire. Then when it gets to burning well, we'll take some of the burning boughs and throw them in the cave as far as we can. That will light things up in there and we can see whether it's empty or not."
This seemed prudent and at the same time promised to satisfy their curiosity, and they hastened to carry out the plan. In a few minutes the fire was burning brightly. Then the boys picked up some of the burning brands and hurled them as far as they could inside the cave.
They retreated a little as they did so, in order to be in readiness to run if animal or snake should be disturbed and come out. But nothing of the kind happened. The brands lighted up the inside of the cave and it seemed to be perfectly empty.
"Let's go in," urged Sammy, who was burning with impatience.
"I'm willing," said Frank.
"So am I," declared Bob.
"Well," said George a little reluctantly, for being the eldest he felt more responsibility than the others, "I guess we can take a chance if we go very carefully. We'll get some big torches and each fellow will carry one."
It did not take very long to get the torches ready, and then with their hearts beating fast they went cautiously into the cave, George leading the way.