The men were very silent, but they kept on raising their lanthorns and glancing at the roof and sides as they tramped on behind the Colonel.
“There’s good stuff here,” whispered Vores to his nearest companion.
“Yes, I’ve been noticing,” was the reply. “It’s a fine mine, and there’s ore enough to keep any number of us going without travelling far.”
“Yes,” said Vores. “Worked as they used to do it in the old days, when they only got out the richest stuff.”
Just then Hardock stopped, and, upon the others closing up, they found themselves at an opening on the right—one which struck right back, and, like the other, almost invisible to anyone passing with a dim light.
“Shall we give a good shout here, sir?” said Hardock.
“Yes,” was the reply; and the men hailed as with one voice, sending a volume of sound rolling and echoing down the passage of the main road and along its tributary.
Then all stood silent, listening to the echoes which died away in the distance, making some of the experienced miners, accustomed as they were to such underground journeys, shiver and look strange.
“Vasty place, mate,” whispered Vores to Hardock, after they had all hailed again and listened vainly for a reply.
“Vasty?” said Hardock. “Ay! The gashly place is like a great net, and seems to have no end.”