A DESPERATE CHANCE.
The other passage proved to be much the same as the one they had tried.
“I hope this doesn’t end in nothing,” muttered Hardware as they made their way along it.
They took a few steps more when Harry Ware gave a sudden yell of alarm and surprise.
“W-w-what’s up now?” gasped out Persimmons; but before Harry could reply both boys found themselves tumbling downward. The bottom appeared suddenly to have dropped out of the cavern passage.
“We’re lost!” choked out Persimmons as he felt his feet go from under him.
Neither boy knew anything more till they found themselves lying on the ground, Persimmons stretched across Hardware’s recumbent body.
“Whew! The second tumble to-day,” gasped out young Simmons, “this place is as full of holes as a porous plaster. Are you hurt, Harry?” For poor Hardware had given a groan.
“Yes, that is, I don’t know. Ouch! I’ve bust my ankle, I think.” The boy gave a loud moan, which rang hollowly against the walls of the dismal place.
“Is it badly hurt?” gasped Persimmons in a dismayed tone.