But it was a close call.
“By Jupiter!” gasped Randall, “I thought you were done for that time, Frank.”
“I owe my life to you,” said Frank, gripping Wendel’s hand.
“I am glad of that, mate,” replied the sailor, heartily.
“Do you think there are any more bears in there?” asked Randall.
“No,” replied Frank, “but it is well to use precaution. Let us proceed with care.”
Once more they crept into the passage. In a few moments they stood in a gloom-filled chamber.
At one end of this was another pit and stairs. They evidently led down to deeper regions.
It was too dark to proceed farther at haphazard. So Frank turned about and said:
“If one of us can go back to the Scorcher and get an electric lantern I think we can go farther.”