With an eye to every advantage, Harry had attached to the sides of the boat, amidships, two short standards, about three feet high, on top of which two of the lamps were mounted, so they would be out of the way, and thus give them freedom to handle the oars and the weapons, as well as afford them a better light, than if carried by hand. The Professor was much pleased with this arrangement.
The boat was not particularly heavy, but it was a task to drag it over the uneven floor and along the tortuous path which had to be taken by their burden, but when the water was reached they were repaid for the labor by the ease with which they could explore the interior.
Before starting the journey the Professor, as usual, uttered a few words of advice: "One of us must sit in the bow, one at the stern, and the other amidships. The one at the stern must propel the boat, as we cannot row through many of the places, and as the water is not deep, that will not be a difficult task. The ones at the bow and amidships should have the guns, and if there is no objection, I will take my place on the middle seat, where I can best take the observations on the way. The other places you should decide between yourselves."
"I am willing to take the bow, if Harry agrees." Harry sanctioned the arrangement, and when the lamps were securely fastened, Harry pushed the boat forward through the cavern. It did not take long to reach the slight turn which led to the large chamber, which was over one hundred feet long.
On the way to the chamber Harry had an opportunity to measure the depths of the water, and at intervals the Professor would call out for the depths, as he was making notes of the descent formed by the floor to the chamber. The oars gave a pretty fair idea, showing that the floor was only about five feet lower at the chamber than where the boat was launched.
Reaching the chamber Harry was directed to steer it to the right and skirt the wall going to the left, so that every part of it could be examined.
