“Well, if you’ve a fancy for sentry-duty, you stay and do so!” recommended the Captain lightheartedly.
“Danged if I will!” said Chirk.
“Then come on!” John said, and, stooping, entered the cavern.
Chapter 12
ALMOST immediately, he found himself able to stand upright, and holding the lantern high saw that he was standing in a roughly vaulted chamber of considerable size. Chirk, entering behind him, and looking around, said, with a certain amount of satisfaction: “Well, there ain’t nothing here, that’s certain! Queer sort of a place to find in a hill! Was it made natural?”
“Quite natural. Have you never been inside a limestone cavern before?”
“No, I can’t say as I have. I’ve heard tell of them, though. Big, ain’t it?”
“Bigger than you think, I fancy.” John walked forward, still holding up the lantern. “Yes, I thought as much! This is only the antechamber, Jerry.” He walked to the back of the cave, where a narrow opening, like a rude Gothic doorway, led into a passage through the rock. This ran slightly downwards into dense darkness. The lantern-light showed the uneven rock-face gleaming damply; underfoot the ground was soft, mushy with moisture; and the air felt dank. John heard Chirk draw in his breath sharply, and said, amusement in his voice: “Have your nerves enough steel for this adventure?”
“What you’ve got bottom for, I have!” Chirk answered through his teeth. “Go on!”
John went forward, easily at first, but was soon obliged to duck his head, and, in a very few moments, to bend almost double. He could hear Chirk breathing hard behind him, and said: “Careful! The roof’s devilish low ahead: we may have to crawl!”