So saying, he strode forward across the open space, and we followed in a body, our boots ringing on the hard surface 'neath our feet. Then I saw that the image of the man's head was on one side of the rock only; on the other the outlines were roughly continued in horizontal lines along the face of a cliff, till the continuity was broken by a projecting rock that resembled the gargoyles one sees on the towers of cathedrals and churches in England.
Having stopped at the spot where the chin of the human-like profile touched the ground, Captain Jeremy measured off seven paces along the base of the cliff. Here, as far as one could judge, the rock presented an unbroken wall, so our amazement was unbounded when the seamen were ordered to attack the cliff with their mattocks.
Almost at the first blow there was a sudden fall of stones, and when the dust had cleared away a dark, yawning cavity was disclosed, while 'twas now evident that a wall had been built up and carefully concealed with a kind of dark plaster, so that it resembled the rest of the rock.
"Steady, men!" warned the Captain, as several of the seamen prepared to scramble over the rubbish into the sombre cavity, "the air may be poisonous."
Directing a number of the men to cut down some pine saplings, so as to make torches, Captain Jeremy called for flint and steel.
"Be careful of the tow," he cautioned. "A chance spark in this pitch-steeped place might be the death of all of us. Once within the cave, there will be no further danger from fire. Stand by, some of you, with a barrico, and douche every spark that falls."
One of the improvised torches was quickly in a blaze, and, describing a graceful curve as it was hurled into the cavern, it struck the floor, sending out a shower of sparks on the impact.
For a full minute the flame burnt steadily. The air was free from noxious gases.
"Five men will be sufficient at first," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "You, too, Master Clifford. Follow me."
And stepping over the dislodged rubble, he entered the cave.