“It’s a shaft of some kind,” Jenkins added, half to himself, “and I reckon we’ve had our labor for our pains. Old Andy knew what he was about when he refused to have anything to do with the scheme.”
“It isn’t certain that we’ve worked for nothing,” Nelse replied. “I can see what appear to be steps cut in the side, and as likely as not we shall find all we want at the bottom.”
“Seeing there’s nothin’ better to do, we might as well find out the whole story. Lay hold of that rope an’ lower me down.”
In another instant the mate was descending. His companions were able to perform their portion of the task with but little difficulty because he found a foothold here and there by which he could aid himself.
At least twenty feet of the rope had been payed out, when he shouted:
“I’m at the bottom, and there is a tunnel which runs on the level. Lower something for a torch, and I’ll keep on.”
“Why can’t we all come down?” Gil asked.
“There’s nothin’ to prevent. Throw some light wood in first, and then make the rope fast to a tree. You can come hand over hand without any trouble.”
After gathering what would be sufficient to supply the party with torches for several hours, Jenkins’ orders were obeyed, and the boys and the sailors were soon with the mate in a tunnel leading at right angles from the shaft, of sufficient height for one to walk upright. The passage looked as if it had been hewn from the solid coral, and, although evidently not used for many years, the air was pure as if it had never been closed.
Some little difficulty was experienced in lighting the wood, but when that had been done, Jenkins marched on, holding the torch as high as possible, that all might see this underground path which was supposed to lead to the valuable deposit.