“No: any one could see us here. Come along.”
They went on inward for another twenty yards, the mouth of the entrance still being in full view. It was awkward travelling, the black sand having given place to loose pieces of scoria and obsidian, some pieces of which crackled under their boots, and took revenge by entering into the soles. As they went in the place widened out, but remained much about the same height overhead, the highest portions of the roof being nearly within touch of Ned’s hand.
Here the latter stopped again.
“Don’t let’s go any farther, sir,” he said nervously. “Don’t you feel a bit frightened?”
“Of course I do. It would be horrible if they caught us again. They would kill us.”
“Yes, sir; most likely,” said Ned. “Be awkward, wouldn’t it? But don’t you feel scared-like about this great black hole?”
“Scared? No; I like it, Ned.”
“Oh, no, you don’t, sir. You can’t. Don’t say that. There! There it is again. Just over your head.”
He shrank back with his fist doubled as if prepared to strike.
“What is it?” cried Jack, startled now.