“I brought a number of thick candles and a box of matches. Each one of you girls must carry a candle, while I go first and carry the electric flashlight,” explained Mrs. Vernon.
“How exciting!” cried Joan, trying to light her candle.
“Just like explorers in an unknown jungle,” added Julie.
“Caves, I should say, Jule,” corrected Ruth, laughingly.
“Well, are we all ready?” now asked the Captain, seeing that each scout had the candle lighted.
“All ready for the great adventure,” laughed Julie.
In the first lap of the exploration nothing unusual occurred as the footpath ran over smooth stone and sand, while the vaulted ceiling and sidewalls were far enough away to make the cave seem really larger than it was.
“It doesn’t make one feel very spooky,” said Ruth.
“Let’s wait until we get in where the water drips and the queer formations hang from the roof. That is where the hunter said the weirdness of the place impressed you,” explained Julie.
They continued deeper into the mountainside, and the air felt cooler, while the domed tunnel grew perceptibly smaller. The girls were silent now, being very careful to follow closely behind the Captain.