“The animal that’s growling like that is bigger than a wolf,” declared Raymond.
“Then I hope it’s so big that it can’t squeeze in here.”
The growling and muttering continued, and steadily drew nearer. The boys sat shivering. The cave had grown much colder, they thought, and their teeth chattered. Suddenly the noises ceased and there was a dreadful silence. The rain was still pouring outside, with a steady roar on the rocks, but the boys did not notice that, and it seemed to them that all sounds had stopped.
Silently the two sat in suspense, wondering what would happen, whether they would suddenly be conscious of an animal in the cave with them. Then they reflected that the entrance was so small that no large animal could pass through, at least not quickly.
They were gazing intently toward the opening, though the darkness was so dense that not even its outline could be distinguished. As they sat, rigid, they realized with a shock that they were looking at two small balls of fire which must be just outside the opening. The fiery globes remained stationary, and colder shivers ran along the boys’ spines.
CHAPTER XV
A BLOCKADE
When the boys saw the two glowing spots of fire in the entrance to the cave, for one sickening moment they imagined that it was something supernatural. They waited tensely for whatever fearful development might follow.
“What can it be, Sid?” And Raymond’s voice trembled.
“It’s beyond me. Is it outside, or in?”