“Hum,” mused Uncle Tod, “gloomy as ever! If I didn’t know you better, Sam, I’d think you meant that.”
“I do!”
“No you don’t! Come on, boys. Let’s see what we can find.”
Equipped with lanterns and a long rope the three—no, four, for Ruddy went along—entered the mouth of the gloomy cavern.
What would they find?
CHAPTER XV
UNCLE TOD GIVES UP
Rick and Chot, to say nothing of Ruddy, were in their element—just where they most delighted to be—engaged in something venturesome and penetrating into the unknown. For the tunnel or cavern, through which Lost River had formerly flowed, was certainly unknown to the boys.
“And I don’t know much more about it than you do,” confessed Uncle Tod. “I wouldn’t risk taking you lads in, under those circumstances, except that we have Ruddy with us. I depend a good deal on your dog, Rick.”
“You mean to drive away any mountain lions if any come at us?” asked Chot as they slowly made their way farther into the dark cavern.
“Shucks! I don’t believe there are any mountains lions around here!” scoffed the miner. “Nothing worse than skunks, and they’ll give us plenty of warning. No, it isn’t animals I’m afraid of.”