"But we didn't see anything like this when we were here before," remarked Dick.
"Because we weren't on this side," Bud answered. "And I have an idea that, in time, this second passage finally fills with water completely, and when it does the stream again flows along the cross stem of the T and we get it."
"Mebby you're right," Old Billee agreed. "But this isn't finding Nort."
"Will we—will we ever find him?" faltered Dick.
"Sure!" declared Bud, as heartily as he could.
But as they progressed in the darkness, stopping now and then to look about by means of the light, calling again and again, and as no reply came, even the heart of the stoutest of them sank in despair.
All they could see was black, rushing water, flowing in a channel it appeared to have cut, after countless years, in the solid rock. There was a narrow footpath, so to speak, on either side of this stream, and it was along this the searchers were walking.
Suddenly Bud, who was in the lead, uttered a strange cry.
"What's the matter?" exclaimed Dick. "Do you see him?"
"No! But look!" went on Bud. "We have come out into a regular underground cave! It's as big as a house!"