They came presently to another small chamber where they paused, speechless. Stalactites sparkled like jewels, standing out in the most fantastic shapes.
Judy could imagine animal figures, all in a variety of color, milky white, red, green and black. The colors, Captain Hager explained, came from mineral infiltration.
“No wonder Bart couldn’t resist this cave,” Judy remarked in awe, entranced. “It’s like a fairyland! How I wish all the Scouts could see it!”
In close formation, the three went on into the cavern depths. A cooler wind met them, but from where it arose they gained no clue.
The going had become harder now, and after edging through a narrow space, the three stopped for a moment beside a translucent column which rose from the floor to the roof.
As they stood thus, there came a deafening crash behind them.
Judy and Kathleen froze in their tracks, too terrified to utter a sound.
“A cave-in behind us?” Kathleen finally asked in a choked whisper.
“It’s nothing,” the captain reassured her. “Sounded like a blast of dynamite far away. Like enough the rangers are blasting a tree stump somewhere in the park area.”
“But it sounded as if the cave roof had fallen!” Judy said, still shaken.