“I do not know what to think of it,” said Mr. Bruce, “but I do know that it is a very strange thing that these people should be in ignorance of its origin. It seems to me that such things would start the curiosity in these people, but I have seen very little of this article in their make-up. They did look a little bewildered yesterday when they saw the negress and child, but I will wager you a shilling they have forgotten all about it by this time. This very lack of curiosity in these people almost puts me out of patience with them.”
“It may be, though,” said Mr. Graham, smiling at Mr. Bruce’s impatience, “that it is better that they have left to us the exploring of this extinct mine or well, or whatever it is; anyway I would feel better satisfied finding something, which is not already known by this people. There goes one of the attendants now towards the trees; perhaps we have reached the hole.”
And they had, for the fellow, pulling aside some underbrush, disclosed a large, dark opening running straight into the ground. The wind seemed to be rushing into this hole with great force. He turned and motioned to the party and they rode toward them. All dismounting, ropes were procured and tied to the trunks of the trees, surrounding the hole. A glance down the dark aperture would have been enough for most men, but for those here assembled, the blackness but whetted their curiosity and desire to investigate. A lighted torch was thrown down, but the fearful wind which rushed down the hole extinguished this before it had fallen far.
“Let us all go down in a bunch and with our combined efforts we may be able to keep our feet,” Harry said.
And so it was decided; Mr. Bruce, Mr. Graham and Harry and Onrai were to go down, well tied together, only allowing enough freedom for the limbs to move easily. A small supply of food and a few skins of water were put up and strapped to the back of each and several torches were also taken. It was strange, but Onrai seemed to take quite as much interest in the contemplated subterranean journey as did the other members of the expedition, and he showed more enthusiasm than he had at any time since the arrival of the strangers. This was the first opportunity though that he had had to display any enthusiasm, for everything in this country had been familiar to him since childhood and he could hardly be expected to show any great interest in things. But now, though by the eagerness displayed by his guests, he had also had his curiosity aroused and he was really impatient to get started.
“Are you ready, Onrai?” asked Harry.
“I am,” answered Onrai, “and eager to start. If there is anything new in my country, I want to know it.”
“Well, I think you will be surprised by the things that you will see and learn to-day,” said Mr. Bruce. “That is, if the passage-way and its gale of wind are any criterion.”
“’Tis well, let us start,” Onrai answered.
All bade the ladies good-bye, Enola almost crying because Mr. Bruce forbade her accompanying them. Sedai was left to look out for the interest of the women folks.