Pietas agreed, on these terms, and turning on his heels, beckoned them to follow. All started after him, and when they got to the hole that the midget had come out of, he sprang lightly down a small embankment and disappeared through the opening into a cave below.
"Come!" said Tom, jumping in after him, "let us hurry."
They all followed without hesitation. Uncle Rupert was the last to go down.
When they had gone about a quarter of a mile through the underground passage, it became so dark that they lost their way.
"I wonder where Pietas is?" shouted Uncle Rupert. "The rascal has deserted us. Come, boys, let us call his name."
The children screamed, "Pietas!" three or four times, and then the little fellow appeared with a lantern.
"What do you mean by deserting us, Pietas?" asked Uncle Rupert.
"I was hoping you would not follow me," answered the dwarf; "and I was wishing that you would get tired and give up the venture. It may mean death to us all."
Fear now showed itself in the company, and some wanted to turn back, but others begged Uncle Rupert to go on, and after much talk it was decided to proceed. Tom was chosen leader, Pietas and Uncle Rupert were the guides, and in double column they began their journey.